Palak Paneer – Indian Cottage cheese cubes with Spinach

Posted in Curry ! Hurry !

Palak Paneer is a delicious Indian dish made with pureed spinach and chunks of paneer cooked in a flavorful blend of spices Here’s a recipe to serve a family of 4 :

Ingredients:

  • 2 bunches of fresh spinach (about 500g), washed and chopped
  • 200g paneer, cubed
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 green chilies, chopped (adjust according to your spice preference)
  • 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or ghee
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1/2 cup cream or yogurt (optional)
  • Fresh coriander leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Blanch the Spinach:

  • Boil water in a pot, add the chopped spinach, and blanch for 2-3 minutes. Drain and immediately transfer the spinach to cold water to retain its green color.
  • Blend the blanched spinach into a smooth paste.

Prepare the Paneer:

  • Lightly fry the paneer cubes in a pan until they turn golden brown. Set aside.

Make the Spinach Base:

  • In a pan, heat oil or ghee over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
  • Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
  • Add grated ginger and minced garlic. Sauté for a minute until the raw smell disappears.
  • Add chopped tomatoes and green chilies. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and the oil starts separating from the mixture.

Add Spice Powders:

  • Add turmeric powder, garam masala, coriander powder, and red chili powder. Mix well and cook for 1-2 minutes.

Add Spinach Puree:

  • Pour in the spinach puree and mix thoroughly. Allow it to simmer for 5-7 minutes.

Add Paneer:

  • Add the fried paneer cubes to the spinach mixture. Stir gently to coat the paneer with the spinach gravy.

Adjust Consistency and Seasoning:

  • Adjust the consistency of the curry by adding water if needed. Season with salt according to your taste.

Optional: Add Cream or Yogurt:

  • For a creamier texture, you can add cream or yogurt. Stir well and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Garnish and Serve:

  • Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
  • Serve hot with rice or Indian bread (roti, naan).

Enjoy your homemade Palak Paneer!