Spinach and Tofu Paneer

Spinach and Tofu Paneer

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Description

For a long time it seemed to me that there was more than a superficial resemblance between the white Indian cheese called paneer and tofu. When I finally made the classic Indian dish of spinach and paneer using tofu, it tasted amazingly at home in the cumin, ginger, and chile-laced sauce. There's a little going back and forth between the skillet and a food processor, but this is an easy dish to make. I serve it over rice with a sprinkling of toasted black sesame seeds.

Ingredients

1 carton firm or soft tofu
Salt
1 large bunch spinach, stems discarded, leaves well washed
1 jalapeño chile, seeded and coarsely chopped
1 serrano chile, coarsely chopped
1-inch knob ginger, peeled and diced
3 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1 cup diced onion
2 tablespoons ghee, butter, or vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, plus a pinch
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup half-and-half
1/3 cup yogurt

Directions

  1. 1. Dice the tofu into pieces about the size of a sugar cube or a little smaller. Bring 6 cups water to a boil, add 1 teaspoon salt and lower the heat to a simmer. Add the tofu, turn off the heat, and leave for 4 or 5 minutes. Pour into a colander to drain. (If you've used soft tofu, remove it with a slotted spoon.) Set aside.
  2. 2. Steam the spinach until wilted, then remove it to a cutting board and chop. When cool enough to handle, squeeze out the excess water.
  3. 3. Put the chiles, ginger, garlic, and onion in a food processor, and process until finely chopped. Heat the ghee or butter in a nonstick skillet, add the onion mixture and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes.
  4. 4. Add 1 teaspoon salt, the cumin, nutmeg, cayenne, and 1 cup water.Simmer for 5 minutes, then return the mixture to the food processor, add the spinach, and puree.
  5. 5. Return the mixture to the skillet, add the half-and-half and the tofu, and simmer for about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the yogurt. Serve over basmati rice.

Tags

    Soup/Stew Food Processor Garlic Ginger Onion Rice Soy Vegetable Side Vegetarian Quick & Easy Yogurt Dinner Lunch Tofu Spinach Healthy Nutmeg Butter Cumin Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free No Sugar Added Kosher
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