Palak Kofta with Palak Rice ( Spinach Kofta with Spinach Rice)

Every day my hubby comes home for lunch at noon and I usually prepare Rice, curry and one or two side dish. This week he has some continuous meetings that makes it difficult for him to come home for lunch. After all the usual arguments/inquiries resulting in arguments about why you are not coming for lunch and all, I was left wondering now that I dont have to prepare elaborate lunches, what the hell should I prepare for just myself. Then I remembered that there were lots of rice dishes or one pot meals that I wanted to try but havent got a chance till now since my hubby do not like much varieties in the usual rice and curry.  Today I decided to make one such rice dish which is Palak Chawal with Palak Kofta. (Spinach rice with Spinach Kofta). 

I have been thinking of making some koftas from a long time. But since I dont like deep frying, I have been wanting to steam / bake some of them. And steaming is what I opted for the Palak Koftas. 

Palak Kofta with Palak Rice:

Prep TIme: 10 - 15 min
Cook Time: 
Total Time: 

Ingredients:

For the Palak Rice ( Spinach Rice):

1 cup Basmati Rice 
1 cup water
3 cups of Chopped Spinach(Palak)
1 onion
1 Tomato
1/2 of a green chilly
1 inch ginger
3 - 4 garlic cloves
1/4 Tbsp Turmeric
1/2 Tbsp Garam Masala
Salt
1 Tbsp Cumin seeds
1 Tbsp Oil

For the Palak Kofta: ( Spinach Kofta)

1/2 cup chopped Palak ( Spinach)
3/4 cup crumbled Paneer ( Cottage Cheese)
1 - 2 Tbsp Flour (Rice or Wheat or All Purpose Flour)
Salt

Note: I made around 7 - 8 Koftas from the above measurement. 

Prepping:

Step 1: Boil Rice with 1 cup water and keep aside.
Step 2: Blanch the Spinach.
Step 3: Cut ginger, garlic, green chilly, onion and tomato. Grind or crush ginger and green chilly together. 
Step 4: Puree the blanched spinach for the Palak rice. 

Method of Preparing:

Step 1: Preparing the Palak Kofta:

• Mix Palak and crumbled paneer along with salt. You can add some kind of flour for binding. I added more Paneer and very less flour was needed for me. 
• Make small flat balls out of the mixture. Here is a pic.

• Grease a steamer and steam for 8 min. 

Here are the prepared Koftas. Looks delicious I believe. 

Note: You can make balls out of the palak - crumbled paneer mixture with out adding flour also. How ever it may crumble during steaming. Also I have added more Paneer as we love Paneer. Add more Spinach if you like and less of Paneer. 

Step 2: Preparing the Palak Rice (Spinach Rice) 

• Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds when the oil becomes hot. Ya.. My pan is too big :)

• Once the cumin seeds crackle, add onions. Saute till they are translucent. 

• Then add garlic and saute for 2min.

• Add tomato and saute till they are mushy.

• Add ginger - green chilly mixture. Mix well.

• Now add turmeric and garam masala and mix.

• Add Pureed spinach and salt and cover and cook for 2min. Dont you just love the color !!!!! 

• Add the cooked rice and mix well.

• Cover and cook for 2 min and switch off.

Step 3:

Make a well in the Palak rice and embed the Palak Koftas. Serve with curd. 

Sending to Favorite Recipes # 13 - One Pot meal happening at My Cooking Journey and Zesty South Indian Kitchen.