Spinach and Cheese Soup (Chowder consistency)

The Background: Spinach and other green leaves makes you dream of a salad. In India, people love to cook it and eat it in a soup like format with pieces of homemade cheese called paneer. After telling my daughter not to put random flowers and leaves in her mouth, it was a challenge to ask her to eat spinach in a salad. Imagine the confusion of a little girl! How do you know Mommy, which leaves are good for you? Well, the "Mommy knows" answer didn't satisfy her. So making a "green soup" was a better option (green being her favorite color helped too). Ever notice how kids love foods which have horrific or bold colors?

INGREDIENTS:
1 c. Mozzarella or Cheddar Cheese (grated)
1 medium bunch of fresh spinach (or 1 lb. frozen variety)
1 medium size onion
6-7 pods garlic
1-inch piece ginger
1-inch stick cinnamon
2 small tomatoes (roma type)
Salt to taste
a pinch of sesame seeds
¼ tsp. Sunflower kernel seeds (optional)
1 bay leaf
½ c. heavy cream
½ tsp. sugar
2--3 Tbsp. oil, ghee or butter

METHOD:

• Chop the spinach and boil with very little salt until soft. Do not overcook or the spinach will look dull.
• Let it cool slightly, and then puree it in a blender with very little water.
• Grind the onion, garlic, tomatoes and chopped ginger with very little water.
• Grind the cinnamon sticks, sesame seeds and sunflower kernel seeds (optional) into a dry powder in a coffee grinder. Keep aside.
• In a saucepan, add oil, butter or ghee, bay leaf and fry the ground wet paste of onions, etc.
• Cover the pan and fry on medium heat. Stir from time to time till paste becomes drier and brownish-red.
• Add the ground dry powder spices.
• Cover and cook on low heat. When the paste starts to turn a darker color add the spinach puree, heavy cream, salt and sugar. Cover and let it simmer on low for five minutes. Carefully open the lid to stir from time to time (it splatters, so be careful).
• While still warm, sprinkle the grated cheese on top and serve with a slice of baguette or pita bread.