Palak Paneer

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Makes 6 servings
Calories: 177 per serving (excluding rice)
Source: www.indian.food.com


Ingredients

• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 tsp cumin seed
• 1 tsp fenugreek seed
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 500 grams spinach
• 180 mL cream
• 200 grams paneer, cut into 2-cm cubes

Directions

• Heat oil in a large frying pan; cook spices, onion and garlic, stirring often until onion is softened.
• Add lemon juice and spinach; cook, stirring until spinach wilts.
• Blend spinach mixture until smooth.
• Stir in cream; add paneer and cook 5 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally.
• Serve over rice.

I had palak paneer for lunch one day in the food court at Richmond Centre.  It was so delicious and I figured it couldn't be too hard to make, so I tracked down this recipe online.  I was buying paneer in a specialty Indian food store at first, but then discovered that the Superstore carries it.  Charlotte was about a year old when I first made this and she tucked right into it.  She's gone off it a bit over time - it comes out a very bright green - but I still persevere with it because it's just so good - and good for us too.

Lemon (or Lime) Shortbread

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Makes 24 servings
Calories: 240 per serving

• 1.5 cups butter at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• zest and juice of 1 large lemon or 1.5 large limes
• 2 cups icing sugar
• food colouring, if desired

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Cream together the butter, sugar and vanilla.
• Mix in flour and salt.
• Press into a small baking pan.
• Bake 20-25 minutes or until the edges begin to brown; allow to cool completely.
• Combine zest and juice of the lemon or limes with the icing sugar and food colouring, if using; pour on top.
• Refrigerate.

These are my new favourite things to make!  I combined three different recipe ideas together to come up with my very own creation.  I took some to work and they were a hit and then took both lemon and lime shortbread to Theo's geocaching event, where they were also very well-received.  I had to post the recipe on the event page, so many people asked for it!  It's not necessary to use food colouring, but they are quite pale without it.

These are the epitome of what I'm all about in the kitchen - they are impressive without requiring a whole lot of effort!  I learned from my co-worker how to choose great lemons too - the rounder, the better.  A lemon-shaped lemon is not as juicy as a plump, round one.  These are very tangy and may not appeal to kids.