Palak Paneer Paratha(Spinach Cottage Cheese stuffed flatbread)

Paneer is my son's favorite and we have paneer on the menu at least once a week.Usually I make paneer butter masala or palak paneer.We got bored of it and I wanted to make paratha this time.I also had some spinach left in the refrigerator and got an idea why don't I make palak paneer Paratha(cottage cheese spinach stuffed flatbread) for a change.It came out very tasty and my son loved it very much .I guess this is a great way to make kids eat spinach as it is mixed with their favourite paneer or cottage cheese.It is also very high in protein,calcium and iron.All you need is a blob of butter on the hot Palak Paneer Paratha and then there is no talking only lip smacking .

Preparation time:40 Mins

Makes-12 medium parathas

Ingredients:

For the bread:

Whole wheat flour-1 1/2  cups

Salt-to taste 

Water -for kneading 

For the stuffing:

Spinach or palak leaves-1 cup tightly packed

Paneer -200 gms

Finely chopped onion-1 no

Jeera or cumin-1 tsp

Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp

Chilli powder-1 tsp( adjust according to your need)

Garam masala-1 tsp 

Chat masala-1/2 tsp(optional)

Kasuri methi or dried fenugreek leaves-1 tsp

Salt-to taste

Oil-to toast the parathas

Procedure:

1.In a large mixing bowl add the flour and reunited salt and add required water little by little and knead in to a soft dough.Cover the bowl with a lid and keep it aside.

2.Heat a wok with a tbsp of oil and add cumin seeds.After it splutters add the chopped onion and saute well.

3.When the onions turn transparent add the salt,turmeric powder and red chilli powder,followed by finely chopped spinach.(Wash and drain the spinach before chopping.)

4.Once the spinach is cooked add the grated or crumbled paneer ,garam masala,chat masala and kasuri methi.Saute well and switch off the flame.

5.Take a small ball size dough and roll in to a small chappathi and place two spoonfuls of the spinach cottage cheese filling inside it and wrap it inside the dough .

6.Dust some flour on the wrapped filing dough and roll out in to parathas.It should be neither too thick nor too thin.If it sticks to the rolling plate dust some flour and roll it out.

.Heat a non-stick pan and add a tsp of oil and place the paratha on top of it.Once it gets cooked on the downside ,flip it and add another tsp of oil so that both the sides are evenly cooked golden brown.

8.Serve hot with a pickle or tomato thokku and raita .Optionally you can add a blob of butter on top of the parathas before serving.

 Tips:

*You can add ginger garlic paste before sauteing the spinach for the filling.

* grate the paneer for a even rolling of paratha.

*Roll out parathas evenly and lightly  otherwise the filling will come out when you roll out.

*Don't avoid kasuri methi as it adds a very nice flour to the paratha and it is healthy too.

*You can also add chopped coriander leaves to the filling.

* you can substitute Palak or spinach with fresh fenugreek leaves or fresh methi leaves.