Spinach/Palak Cutlet Kerala Style

Today I am sharing a healthy and delicious starter recipe spinach/ palak/cheera cutlet.This recipe which is so easy to prepare and full on with the goodness of spinach.This is made from spinach and potatoes.It is nutritious as well as delicious.

My mom usually prepare these cutlets as an evening snack and serve with some ketchup or chutney.

Usually cutlets are dipped in beaten egg and roll it on breadcrumbs and deep fried.We can prepare these by shallow frying also.
My mom made these cutlet for me.I actually prepare meat cutlets  frequently which is more time consuming while these spinach cutlets  are very easy to prepare.we can feed these to kids also by reducing the spices.

Here goes the the recipe...just try it out.....

INGREDIENTS:

• Spinach leaves/palak -1small  bunch(cleaned, finely chopped)
• Potato/aloo-3 large(boiled, peeled, mashed)
• Onion-1 medium, finely chopped
• Green chilly-3, finely chopped
• Ginger-1tsp minced
• Garlic-2-3cloves, minced
• Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
• Garam Masala-1/2 tsp
• Black pepper(crushed)-1tsp
• Breadcrumbs-1/2cup
• Egg-1
• Salt -as per taste
• Oil-to deep fry /shallow fry

METHOD:

• Boil the potatoes, peel the skin and mash it.Keep it aside. 
• Wash spinach leaves well and let it dry thoroughly. Chop them finely. 
• Heat 2tsp oil in a pan and add the minced ginger, garlic and green chillies. Saute for a  minute.
• Then add onion, saute till it becomes light brown.
• Add turmeric powder, garam masala, crushed black pepper and saute for a while.
• Add chopped spinach. Once the spinach has wilted and is semi- cooked (about2-3minutes), add mashed potato to this.Add salt.Mix it well.
• There should be no water in this mixture. 
• Make equal sized balls and roll them into oval or round shape by pressing it with your fingers. 
• Dip each cutlet into lightly beaten egg and roll it in breadcrumbs. Do this one by one.
• Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan.Once oil becomes hot, drop the cutlets slowly into the oil.Fry it in a medium flame until it turns golden brown as shown in the picture. 

NOTES:

1.  Make sure that potato is fully cooked before mashing them.
2. Adding spinach can be replaced with your favorite green (methi/coriander) or vegetable(carrot/beans/peas).
3. You can also use a cornflour dip and roll it on breadcrumbs and fry them.
4. You can also do shallow fry instead of deep fry. 

Serve hot with tomato ketchup, Challas or with Coconut mint chutney and Enjoy this delicious starter.....

Happy Cooking! !!!

LOTUS

Palak(Spinach) Lacha Paratha /Layered Palak Paratha

Ingredients:

• Wheat flour/Atta -1cup
• spinach(palak)- 1/2 bunch
• Carom seeds(ajwain)- 1/2tsp
• salt to taste
• Milk-to knead the dough
• Ghee-as required

 Method:

• Wash the spinach leaves and drain.Make a puree in a blender and keep aside.

• Add all the dry ingredients to the flour and mix them well.Later add palak paste to it and mix well.  

• Use milk and water to knead the dough till you gets a soft dough.cover and leave the dough aside for 20-25 minutes.

• Knead again and divide the dough into equalparts.Shape each into a ball.Flatten a little.
• Dust some flour on the rolling surface and roll out each flattened ball to a circle of about 4-5'' diameter.

• Add 1/2tsp of ghee and spread it evenly.Sprinkle little flour on it.

•  Use a knife and cut 3 inches from the center of the paratha to one end of the rolled out paratha.Take the cut end of the paratha and roll it towards the other end of the paratha(See the picture above).
•  Press it lightly with your palm.Dust the surface and roll out a thick paratha.Prepare with the rest of the dough too.
•  Heat a tawa on high flame.Place paratha on it.Cook on both sides till brown spots appear and it is cooked.Drizzle ghee on both sides.

Serve hot with Yoghurt and Pickle.

Happy Cooking!!!

  

PALAK PANEER(Spinach Paneer)

Palak Paneer is a traditional North Indian delicacy and is the integral part of the Punjabi cuisine.It is also one of my favorite dishes.This greens based vegetarian dish is a rich, smooth and creamy curry where paneer cubes are cooked in an onion-tomato -spinach gravy which is moderately spiced with Indian spices.

Ingredients:

• paneer cubes-200 gm
• palak- 1 bunch
• cuminseeds-1 tsp
• onion finely chopped-1 big size
• tomato- 2
• green chilly chopped-4-5
• garlic crushed-3-5 cloves
• coriander powder-1tsp
• turmeric powder-1/4tsp
• kasoori methi-1/2 tsp
• lemon juice-1tbsp
• oil
• salt to taste 

Method:   

• Clean &wash spinach and remove the stem part from the leaf.
• Boil water in a pot and add spinach leaves into this and stir.take out spinach leaves after 2 minutes and immediately immersed it in cold water.drain it in a colander.Make a paste. 
• Heat oil in a pan,add cumin seeds,garlic,chopped green chillies and saute well.Add chopped onion and fry it thoroughly till it turns golden brown. 
• Then add turmeric and coriander powder and give it a quick stir in low flame.
• Add tomatoes and salt and saute till it cooks well.when it turns mushy,add the ground palak paste,fry it in low flame for 4-5 minutes till the raw smell disappears and the palak gets cooked well.
• Meanwhile shallow fry paneer cubes and put it in hot salty water for 5 minutes.Add a pinch of turmeric to this. 
• Drain the paneer and add it to palak gravy and bring to boil for few minutes.Add lemon juice,kasoori methi and mix it well.
• Transfer this to a serving bowl.

  Serve with hot chapathi(Indian bread),Naan or Paratha.

Happy Cooking!!!

 

Spinach Thoran / Cheera Thoran

  

Today I am sharing the recipe of Spinach Thoran / Cheera Thoran .Spinach has high nutritional value and is extremely rich in antioxidants.It is a rich source of vitamins,calcium, folic acid,omega-3 fatty acids,iron etc....

Ingredients:-

Spinach / Cheera - 1 bunch
Shallots - 7-9 Nos (or half of an onion finely chopped)
Green chilly -3-5 Nos (chopped) 
Garlic - 2 cloves(chopped)
Grated coconut - 1/4 cup
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Pepper powder -1/4 tsp
Mustard seeds-1/2tsp
Curry leaves (optional)
Oil-as required
Salt to taste

 Method :- 

• Wash the spinach well and let it dry thoroughly.Chop them finely.
•  Heat oil in a pan.Add mustard seeds.When it crackles,add onion,garlic,green chilies,curry leaves and saute for a few minutes.
• Add chopped  spinach, mix well , add turmeric powder.Cook uncovered in a medium flame  for just 2-3 minutes and then add grated coconut, pepper powder and salt.combine well.And cook uncovered until all water gets evaporated.
• Serve with rice & Enjoy......

Notes:-

• Wash the spinach leaves and allow it to drain off water completely in a colander,at least half an hour before you chop them.This is done to avoid lumps in your Thoran /Stir fry.

Happy Cooking!!!!!