Palak Paneer Recipe
Palak Paneer
Palak Paneer is a popular vegetarian dish from North India. It is made using fresh spinach leaves, Indian cottage cheese (paneer), and a blend of aromatic spices. Here is a simple recipe for making palak paneer at home:
Ingredients:
2 cups of fresh spinach leaves, washed and chopped
200 grams of paneer, cubed
1 onion, finely chopped
2 tomatoes, finely chopped
2 green chilies, finely chopped
1 tsp of cumin seeds
1 tsp of ginger paste
1 tsp of garlic paste
1 tsp of coriander powder
1 tsp of cumin powder
1/2 tsp of turmeric powder
1/2 tsp of red chili powder
Salt to taste
2 tbsp of oil or ghee
1/4 cup of cream (optional)
Water as required
Instructions:
In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the chopped spinach leaves and blanch them for 2-3 minutes. Drain the water and immediately transfer the spinach to a bowl filled with ice-cold water. This will help retain the green color of the spinach. Drain the water again and blend the spinach into a fine puree using a blender.
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Add chopped onions, ginger paste, garlic paste, and green chilies. Saute until the onions turn translucent.
Add chopped tomatoes, salt, and all the spice powders (coriander, cumin, turmeric, and red chili powder). Cook until the tomatoes turn mushy and oil starts to separate from the mixture.
Add the spinach puree to the pan and mix well. Add some water if required to adjust the consistency. Let the mixture simmer for 5-6 minutes.
Add cubed paneer to the pan and mix gently. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Add cream to the pan (optional) and mix well. Turn off the heat.
Palak Paneer is ready to serve. Garnish with a drizzle of cream and serve hot with roti or naan.
Enjoy your homemade palak paneer!