Description
Palak Paneer is a vibrant and nutritious Indian dish that combines creamy paneer with a spiced spinach puree. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this flavorful recipe pairs beautifully with roti, naan, or rice.
Ingredients
- Spinach (Palak) – 250 grams (5–6 cups)
- Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese) – 200–250 grams
- Water – 3 cups (for blanching)
- Green chilies – 1–2, chopped
- Garlic – 1–2 cloves, chopped (optional)
- Ginger – 1 inch, chopped
- Oil or Ghee – 2 tablespoons
- Cumin seeds – ½ teaspoon
- Indian Bay Leaf (Tej patta) – 1 small to medium
- Onion – 1 small to medium, chopped
- Tomato – 1 small to medium, chopped
- Turmeric powder – ¼ teaspoon
- Red chili powder – ½ teaspoon
- Asafoetida (Hing) – 1 pinch (optional)
- Garam masala – ¼–½ teaspoon
- Low-fat cream – 2 tablespoons
- Kasuri methi – 1 teaspoon, crushed
- Salt – As required
- Ginger julienne – ½–1 inch, for garnish
- Lemon or Lime – For serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Spinach:
- Wash spinach thoroughly under running water to remove dirt.
- Boil 3 cups of water with a pinch of salt. Blanch spinach for 1 minute.
- Immediately transfer spinach to ice-cold water to preserve color.
- Make the Spinach Puree:
- Blend blanched spinach with ginger, garlic, and green chilies until smooth. Set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics:
- Heat oil or ghee in a pan. Add cumin seeds and let them crackle.
- Add bay leaf and onions. Sauté until golden brown.
- Cook Tomatoes and Spices:
- Add tomatoes, turmeric, red chili powder, and asafoetida. Cook until tomatoes are soft.
- Simmer Spinach Gravy:
- Add spinach puree to the pan. Stir in ½ cup water and simmer for 6–7 minutes.
- Incorporate Paneer:
- Add paneer cubes to the gravy. Cook gently for 1 minute.
- Finish and Serve:
- Stir in cream, crushed Kasuri methi, and adjust salt.
- Garnish with ginger julienne and a drizzle of cream. Serve with naan, roti, or rice.
Notes
- For a vegan version, replace paneer with tofu and cream with coconut cream or cashew paste.
- Blanching spinach retains its color and reduces bitterness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian