Sham Savera - Spinach Balls in Rich Tomato Gravy

Ingredients -

Palak (spinach leaves) - 1/2 kg
Paneer (cottage cheese) - 250 g
Cashews crushed - 5-6
Cornflour - 3 tbsp
Tomato blanched and pureed - 2
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Cumin powder - 1 tsp
Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt - to taste
Bay leaf - 2
Oil - 5-6 tbsp + for frying
Cream - 2 tbsp
Warm water - 1 1/2 cup

For Ground masala -  
Onion ( boiled in 1/2 cup of water) - 2 med
Garlic - 1 whole
Ginger - 1 inch
Cashews - 4-5
Put all in a blender and grind to a fine paste.

 Method - 

 1. Take the palak leaves and shed off the stems absolutely, clean and chop it coarsely.
2. Blanch it on low heat for 5-7 minutes, if necessary sprinkle some water. Keep it aside.
3. Grate the paneer in a bowl, mix crushed cashews and pinch of salt.
4. Mash the palak leaves with your fingers nicely, drain if there is any water left and mix cornflour in it evenly.
5. Spread little mashed palak leaves on your palms, put 1 tbsp grated paneer mix over it and carefully close the spinach balls. Prepare all in the same manner.
6. Deep fry it and keep it aside.

For the Gravy -  
1. Heat oil in a karahi and put bay leaf in it.
2. Put the onion paste in it and fry, stirring it continuously until it turns to a golden brown colour.
3. Add the coriander, cumin, pepper and red chilli powder and saute a bit, add the tomato puree in it.
4. Fry it until oil has separated and masala is fried properly.
5. Pour the warm water in it and bring it to a boil, add the cream, salt and garam masala.
6. Cut the spinach balls in halves and put it in the gravy just before serving.
7. Let it simmer on a low heat for 5 minutes.
8. Carefully turn it out on a serving dish. Garnish it with coriander leaves and grated paneer.
9. Serve it with rice, pulao or rumali roti.

Stepwise pics and instruction -

                                                             Blanch the spinach

                                                     Mash and add cornflour

 

Prepare all the masala

                                                Spread it on your palm

                                                   Prepare spinach balls

                                                                 Deep fry it

                         Cut it in halves and put it in the gravy.