I have a phobia or rather a setback, in that I can’t imagine a gravy without onions or tomatoes. when I sat thinking about it, I realized that I do make those gojjus that are typical of Andhra cuisine where either tomatoes are not added or sometimes onions are not added. Apart from that, if I have to come up with ideas for a side dish that’s served with rotis, I will end up being clueless.
So towards that end, I decided we will have to have a theme, where we cook a gravy without tomato. Or even best a gravy that is normally made with tomato, being cooked without it. Our regular Palak Paneer is always prepared with onions and tomatoes, so when Amma came up with this version that had no tomatoes in it, I had to add it to our menu.
We have been making this gravy often recently and I thought it will be best to share with you all. These No Onion, No Garlic Recipes are my regulars as well. I have some No tomato Recipes as well. I need to up my list, so all ideas are welcome!
So we are starting our second week of BM#62, with No Tomato Recipes
No Tomato Palak Paneer
Ingredients Needed:
Palak / Spinach leaves puree – 2 cups
Green Chilies – 2 medium
Paneer, cubes – 1 cup
Onion – 2 medium
Ginger Garlic paste – 3/4 tsp
Red chili powder – 1 tsp
Coriander powder – 1 tsp
Roasted Cumin powder – 1/2 tsp
Garam Masala – 1/4 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil + Butter – 2 tsp
How to make the gravy:
Wash and blanch the greens. In a rolling boil water, soak the greens. Remove and grind with green chilies to a puree.
Heat a non stick pan with oil, saute the onions till brown. Now add the ginger garlic paste and saute well.
Next add the palak puree along with the spice powders and bring to boil. Add water as required and simmer.
Fry the paneer cubes in butter and add along with the butter to the simmering gravy.
Cook for 5 to 7 mins and switch off.
Serve with rotis or rice
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM
16 comments
Never seen palak paneer without tomato purée. This is a nice variation of the curry. Love it:)
Tomato addition to this curry totally depends on my mood. But for the regular cooking, I would be lost without tomatoes!
I like palak paneer very much. One factor is the nutrition involved. But never made without tomato… Must try or i think we can also add curd to it
Palak paneer even without tomatoes looks delicious.I have never tried that.
Never made palak paneer without tomato, curry looks delicious with that bright green color.
I usually skip tomatoes for palak paneer but add onion though. Your version sounds delicious. Love how you maintained the vibrant green color.
One of my favorite, looks creamy and rich.
It's a good idea to know more recipes without using tomatoes. Your version of palak paneer looks lovely.
Even I am at loss if I don't have tomatoes. This theme would surely give me ideas. Palak paneer looks so nice..
Even I can not imagine cooking curries without onions and tomatoes, specially onions. Will checkout all your no tomato curries. Palak paneer looks good.
Even i cant imagine cooking without onions and tomatoes, fantastic palak paneer and the colour of this paneer dish looks fabulous.
when I chose this theme, I was like it is not a big deal. Only when i started thinking of recipes, did i realize how hard it is to cook without tomatoes. This is a good recipe to make.
Personally I think tomatoes change the color of the palak gravy, but I still add them to palak paneer. I love how vibrant your gravy looks — will try your version next.
Love this no tomato version. Though I make it rarely at home, I shall try it out.
Sometimes we do run out of tomatoes and these recipes definitely come in handy…they look delicious.
funny how much tomato is integral to Indian cuisine now when its not a native ingredient – this must have been how this dish was prepared before the tomato was introduced