Today I ducked in to World Market with my son. I only went in because they carry some sardines that I like. (The Angelo Parodi brand, Portuguese sardines packed in olive oil. They are a single serving, so I'm less inclined to overeat them.) We kinda went nuts in the food section. I often go in for just one thing and come out with two weeks' groceries!

Anyway, I found some palak paneer, an Indian spinach and cottage cheese dish that I had a few times when I lived overseas. I bought a packet and brought it home for my lunch. Ate it with their Jensen Orchard artichoke and spinach potato chips...what a yummy lunch. The chips reminded me of the krupuk chips my cook used to make when I lived in Indonesia.

The palak paneer wasn't as good as the freshly made dish I had years ago, so I'm going to dig out a recipe and make it for myself. But the packet was good for a quickie lunch.

I think it would be okay to make the dish with other greens as well. I have a ton of chard and beet greens right now. Should be equally as tasty.

People often sub firm tofu for the paneer. Greens cooked with ginger and garlic and pureed and then the tofu added in - great meal with a bit of potato, rice or

Unfortunately I'm allergic to soy, so I'm actually going to stick to paneer, or queso blanco. Also very carb-sensitive, so I might serve it with Miracle Noodles instead. I think it would also make a lovely sauce, instead of Hollandaise, for poached eggs.

Palak paneer is one of my favorite foods! I have been too lazy to make my own (I know, a pox on me for not cooking it myself), but Amy's makes a very tasty version that comes with chickpeas and basmati rice. I buy it occasionally as a treat; trying to cut back on the costly frozen stuff, but that's one I sneak into the cart every once in a while.

I think I know what I'm going to cook the next time I feel inspired to be in the kitchen.