Spinach Two Ways

Pesto Panini With Gomen Wat

 Holiday season is my most favorite time of the year.It feels like everybody is celebrating in one way or the other , decorations everywhere and the world seems like a really happy place. The temperatures are dipping here in Chicago and I have been craving some comfort food. It has been more than 10 days since my last grocery store visit and all I am left with in my refrigerator is one huge box and a bag of Spinach . I decided to make it a Spinach day and made Spinach for lunch and dinner in two different ways.

Pesto Panini Sandwich With Gomen Wat 

1 Small bag Spinach chopped
1 Small Onion diced
1 tspn Garlic
1 tspn Ginger
1 tspn minced Jalapenos
2 tbspn lemon juice
1/2 tspn turmeric
Salt to taste
2 Tbspn Oil
1/2 cup water

Saute Onion in Oil till they become soft,add Garlic,Ginger,chopped Spinach and 1/2 cup water. Cook till the greens get tender and the water is absorbed .Add minced Jalapenos,Turmeric,lemon juice,salt mix ,cook on low heat for couple of minutes and serve hot.   

To make Panini spread Pesto on both the slices of bread , add Mozzarella cheese , top it with the second slice and put it in the sandwich maker.

Saag Paneer

  
Saag paneer is my idea of comfort food. Typically Saag is made with spinach and Mustard greens.Paneer is kind of fresh Indian cheese widely used in Indian food. Most times I skip mustard greens and add any other greens on hand like Chard, still to get a great tasting saag. I often come across different versions of this dish ,but, the one I make, is quite popular amongst my friends and most sought in my family.

Saag Paneer 

1 bunch Spinach
1 Small Onion finely chopped
2 juicy tomatoes finely chopped
3 tbspn Oil
5-6 cashews (optional)
1 tbspn Corn meal
1 tspn Chilli powder
1 tspn dry mango powder
1/2 tspn turmeric
1 tspn Garam masala
1 tspn coriander powder 
1-2 green chilli
Salt to taste

Bring 1/2 cup water to boil , add salt,chopped spinach,green chilli and blanch it for a couple of minutes  drain and set aside. Heat one tablespoon oil,add onions ,tomatoes and saute till they get mushy  add cashews,  all the spice powders highlighted in blue,mix for a couple of minutes and let it cool.Blend onion tomato mixture and the spinach together ,return it to the pan and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes ,add corn meal, mix  well and turn it  off. To add an extra zing I heat a tablespoon oil,add cumin, minced garlic , a pinch of chilli powder and season the saag paneer. 
Saag Paneer  is traditionally had with Indian flat breads.