Fresh Cheese with Spinach

indian cheese leafy green vegetable side vegetarian spinach fall spring summer winter gourmet pescatarian wheat/gluten-free peanut free tree nut free soy free no sugar added kosher

N/A

Serves 6

Source

Ingredients

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

2 cups water

3/4 pound paneer (Indian fresh cheese), cut into 1/2-inch cubes

2 bunches spinach (about 1 pound), coarse stems discarded

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 teaspoons finely chopped peeled fresh ginger

6 tablespoons ghee (this page) or vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups pearl onions, blanched and peeled

2 tablespoons coriander seeds, toasted, cooled, and finely ground

1 teaspoon Indian red chile powder

1 teaspoon asafetida powder

3-inch cinnamon stick

4 plum tomatoes, peeled and chopped

Method

Stir together turmeric, 1 1/2 cups water, and paneer and let stand 20 minutes. Drain cheese in a sieve and gently pat dry.

Cook spinach in remaining 1/2 cup water in a large saucepan, covered, over moderately high heat until wilted and tender, about 2 minutes. Coarsely purée spinach, without draining, in a food processor. Mash garlic with ginger to a paste.

Heat 6 tablespoons ghee in a large nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown paneer in 2 batches, gently turning to avoid breaking up and transferring to a bowl as browned. Add onions and sauté, stirring, 5 minutes. Reduce heat to moderate. Add garlic paste and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add coriander, chile powder, asafetida, and cinnamon stick and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Add tomatoes and spinach purée and simmer sauce, stirring occasionally, until thickened and almost all of liquid is evaporated, 2 to 4 minutes. Gently stir in paneer and salt to taste.