Palak Paneer Pie

  Palak   Paneer   Pie  is a fantastic and scrumptious dish that I could just get creative to make an absolutely yummy combination of Spinach (palak) and Paneer (Indian Cheese) adding few Indian spices to make it spicy and healthy to eat. Spinach and Paneer are the two most widely used ingredients in Indian cuisine and are most liked for their combination of a variety of recipes that we can make and the unique flavors that goes into the dish to make it extremely delectable.

Paneer Paneer is fresh cottage cheese extensively used in Indian cuisine especially in north India. It is a homemade Indian cheese that is used in making different desserts, appetizers and main course dishes. Paneer is very versatile, soft and blends well with creamy sauces. It is usually served as an appetizer or accompaniment to a main course. It is moist and has soft crumbly texture. It is a rich source of milk protein often used in making awesome delicacies such as Sandesh, Rasgulla, Mattar paneer etc.

Paneer is slightly chewy consistency and mild flavour. It hold its shape well and doesn’t melt, hence you can sauté it, grill or crumble/ grate and just do about anything to add in your dishes. Paneer also happens to be one of the easiest cheeses to make at home, requiring nothing more than milk and lemon juice. Paneer is one of the rich source of proteins for most vegetarians and are added to classic Indian dishes like kormas, curries etc.

Spinach Spinach, reminds every kid or person of the famous cartoon ‘Popeye’, the sailor man known for his obsession for spinach. It’s very popular as the cartoon is shown eating spinach and get strong. Infants are advised to be fed with spinach which is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and phyto-nutrients. These will result in proportionate development in their growing stages. Spinach is popularly known as palak (Hindi) in most parts of India.

Fresh spinach retains the delicacy of texture and green color that is lost when spinach is processed. Raw spinach has a mild, slightly sweet taste that can be refreshing in salads, while its flavor becomes more acidic and robust when it is cooked. Spinach stands at the top of the ranking list amongst all for the World's Healthiest vegetables for nutrient richness. Rich in vitamins and minerals, bright, vibrant-looking spinach leaves are not only more appealing to the eye but more nourishing as well.

Spinach is versatile and can be eaten cooked as a vegetable, raw in salads (a superior alternative to low nutrient iceberg lettuce) and in many other recipe forms. A variety of dishes can be prepared with this amazing green like the palak dal (spinach with lentils), Palak paneer (spinach with cottage cheese), Khatti palak chutney chukka koora and palak curry and many more.

A dish with a combination of these two ingredients in a pie is absolutely divine. The crustiness of the pie and the softness and delicate flavors inside will make kids crave for more. The entire pie with a flat crust beneath and a bit of crafty designs over sealing the stuffing will make the pie look more appealing and neat. Pie Pie is a baked dish which is often made with pastry dough casing which covers fully or partially the stuffing or filling of various savory or sweet ingredients.

A filled pie has pastry lining the baking dish and the filling is place on top of the pastry and left open which is known as the single crust pie while a top crust pie has the filling completely enclosed in the pastry. Pies are made of a variety of sizes, ranging from bite size to multiple serving. Now let’s check out the procedure in making the Palak Paneer Pie:

Palak Paneer Pie recipe:

Ingredients:

1. All-purpose flour                      -       1 cup


2. Ajwain                                     -       ¼ tsp


3. Chilli flakes                             -       ¼ tsp


4. Butter                                      -       1 tsp


5. Paneer                                     -       200 gms


6. Onions, chopped                     -       1 no


7. Cumin powder                         -       ½ tsp


8. Coriander powder                    -       ½ tsp


9. Kasuri methi powder                       -       ¼ tsp


10. Masala powder                         -       ½ tsp


11. Spinach                                   -       ½ cup


12. Eggs                                         -       2 nos


13. Milk                                         -       ½ cup

Directions:

1. Take a mixing bowl and add all-purpose flour, salt, ajwain, chilli flakes, butter and mix it like short crust pastry method.


2. Add some water and mix to a soft dough and rest for 10 minutes.


3. Take paneer and cut into small pieces.


4. Heat little butter in a pan and add chopped onions, salt, nutmeg powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, kasuri methi, garam masala powder.


5. Add boiled and chopped spinach and mix well. Transfer this mixture into a plate.


6. Take a bowl, add two eggs, little salt and beat the eggs. Add milk and mix well.


7. Take the dough and roll it to a thin sheet.


8. Take the pie mould and place the sheet inside and set it.


9. Put the spinach and paneer mixture inside the mould and pour the milk and egg mixture over on top.


10. Roll the rest of the dough like a thin sheet and cut into thin strips and arrange on the top of the mould.


11. Bake it for 180 degree C for 30 minutes.


12. Cut it into pieces and serve hot.

Do try making this healthy and nutrition packed Palak paneer pie that would surely delight your kids taste buds. Eat wise, make the right food choices and eat portion sized meals. Be Fit. Be Cool! You could always reach me at my website for more amazing nutritious and healthy recipes at: www.vahrehvah.com You could also follow this campaign to gain knowledge on some special features and advices from eminent doctors from AAPI (American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin) and also get to know of healthy recipes and diets from popular Chefs that you and your family can relish and enjoy staying fit and strong.

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Enjoy healthy eating and Be Fit. Be Cool!