Spinach Paneer Rice

Spinach Paneer Rice

This is a simple and tasty one pot meal with spinach/palak and paneer.Spinach with paneer or cheese is a much loved and popular combo and for me,a well made palak paneer is an irresistible, healthy dish. This  meal is filling with rice,healthy greens and the flavor is enhanced by the marinated and sauteed paneer.

You can bring innumerable variations for this rice dish.If you wish you can blanch spinach and blend it to give the rice a rich green color.To marinate the paneer I used a little of tandoori masala.You can add other type of flavorings or just add simply fried paneer.Serve this with raita,pickle and papad.

Ingredients
Basmathi rice cooked- 3 cup

To marinate
 Paneer- 200 gms
Chilly powder- 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder-a pinch
Ginger garlic paste- 1/2 tsp
Garam masala- 1/2 tsp
Kasoori methi powder- a pinch (optional)
Yogurt- 1/3 cup
salt to taste

To saute
Spinach chopped- 2 1/2 - 3 cup
Onion- 1 medium
Garlic cloves-3
Garam masala- 1/3 tsp
Cumin Powder- 1/3 tsp
Pepper powder- a pinch
Salt to taste
lemon juice- 1/2 lemon

Cut paneer into cubes and marinate with the ingredients listed and keep in fridge for about two hours or at least half an hour.

Fry this with little oil till all the sides brown up. You can also bake this in the oven at 350 degree f till both sides get brown
( note: I used the pan fry method and my paneer got crumbled a bit. There was also a bit of moister from the yogurt and so it took about 5 minutes to get it dry and masala to get coated with the paneer. If you want to avoid this use oven method and pls check here and here )

In the same pan heat oil and a little of ghee (optional) and saute garlic followed by onion. Saute till golden brown and add spinach,salt and saute for about a minute or till the spinach is soft and cooked. Add cumin powder,pepper powder, garam masala  and mix in the rice and paneer. Close lid and allow this to heat up a  bit in a very low flame for three to four minutes. Squeeze lemon juice on top and serve with raita  and pickle.

Try this..
Hope you will all enjoy :)