How To make Palak Paneer Lifafa? | Instant Palak Paneer Lifafa Recipe
Palak Paneer Lifafa is a North Indian dish that has gained popularity all over India. The word ‘Lifafa’ means envelope in Hindi, and this dish gets its name from its unique presentation of spinach and cottage cheese filling wrapped in a thin pastry sheet. It is a perfect blend of nutritious spinach and creamy paneer, which makes it a wholesome and flavorful dish.
Here is a step-by-step recipe to make Palak Paneer Lifafa at home.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1/2 cup water
For the filling:
- 2 cups of spinach leaves, finely chopped
- 200 gms paneer, grated
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
- 1 tsp green chili, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp oil
For the gravy:
- 2 cups of tomato puree
- 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp oil
Method:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and oil. Mix well until the flour is coated with oil.
- Gradually add water to the flour mixture and knead it into a smooth dough. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and set it aside for 20 minutes.
- In a pan, heat oil and add cumin seeds. Let them splutter, then add ginger garlic paste and sauté for a minute.
- Add onions and green chili and sauté until the onions turn translucent.
- Add the chopped spinach and sauté until it is wilted.
- Add the grated paneer, coriander powder, red chili powder, and salt to the spinach mixture. Mix well and turn off the heat.
- In a separate pan, heat oil and add cumin seeds. Let them splutter, then add ginger garlic paste and sauté for a minute.
- Add the tomato puree and stir well. Add coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Let the gravy simmer for 5-7 minutes on medium heat.
- Divide the dough into equal portions and roll them out into thin circles. Place the filling in the center of the circle and fold the dough over the filling like an envelope. Press the edges to seal the lifafa.
- Heat oil in a pan and fry the lifafa until it is golden brown on both sides.
- Serve the lifafa hot with the tomato gravy on the side.
Palak Paneer Lifafa is a delicious and healthy dish that can be served as a main course for lunch or dinner. The spinach and paneer filling provides essential nutrients, while the thin pastry sheet adds a crispy texture to the dish. The tomato gravy complements the flavors of the lifafa and adds a tangy twist to it. So, the next time you want to try something different, give this recipe a try, and you won’t be disappointed!