Palak Paneer Recipe
Palak Paneer Recipe: As a housewife and food critic, I am always in search of delicious and healthy dishes that can be enjoyed by the whole family. One of my all-time favorites is Palak Paneer, a classic Indian dish that combines the goodness of spinach and the richness of cottage cheese.
The first time I tried Palak Paneer was at an Indian restaurant, and I was blown away by the flavors and aromas. The smooth and creamy spinach sauce, combined with the tender and soft paneer cubes, was like a symphony of taste and texture in my mouth. The dish had a vibrant green color, and the aroma was invigorating, reminding me of freshly picked spinach leaves.
What is Palak Paneer
Palak Paneer is a vegetarian dish that originated from North India. It is a combination of spinach, also known as palak, and paneer, which is a type of Indian cottage cheese. The dish is prepared by cooking chopped spinach with spices and then blending it into a smooth sauce. The sauce is then combined with pan-fried paneer cubes to create a rich and creamy dish that is packed with flavor and nutrition.
Variations of Palak Paneer
Palak Paneer with Butter: In this variation, the spinach sauce is made using butter instead of oil, giving the dish a rich and creamy flavor.
Palak Paneer with Cream: This variation adds a touch of cream to the sauce, creating a velvety and smooth texture that is sure to delight the taste buds.
Palak Paneer with Cashew Nuts: This variation uses cashew nuts as a thickening agent, creating a creamy and rich sauce that is perfect for those who love nutty flavors.
Palak Paneer with Makhani Sauce: In this variation, the spinach sauce is combined with makhani sauce, a rich tomato-based sauce that is commonly used in Indian cooking.
Nutrition – Palak Paneer
Palak Paneer is not only delicious but also incredibly nutritious. Spinach is a superfood that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, while paneer is a good source of protein and calcium. This dish is a great way to incorporate more greens into your diet, and it is suitable for those who are following a vegetarian or lacto-vegetarian diet.
Step by Step Palak Paneer Recipe
Palak Paneer Recipe
Ingredients
- 300 grams spinach / palak
- 150 grams paneer / cottage cheese
- 1 tomato
- 1 inch ginger
- 2 green chillies
- 1 tbsp oil
- ½ cup water
- ½ tsp garam masala
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- ¼ tsp Red Chilli Powder
- ¼ tsp coriander powder
- ½ tbsp salt
- 2 tbsp cream
Instructions
Preparations
- Assemble all ingredients together to avoid last minute rush.
- Cut cottage cheese / paneer into small cubes.
- In case if you are choosing frozen palak, then keep it on kitchen counter for 30 minutes for defrosting.
- Incase if you are choosing fresh palak, then wash them thoroughly with running water.
- Wash and finely chop tomato and ginger.
Cooking
- To a pot of boiling water, add little salt and then spinach leaves to it. Blanch the spinach leaves for 2 to 3 minutes until wilted.
- Take them out and put them in ice cold water. This helps the leaves in retaining their green color.
- Take a Blender and make a smooth puree with blanched spinach and green chillies. Set aside.
- Heat a Cook Pot on medium heat. Then, add oil and chopped ginger and tomato. Also add salt, red chilli powder, turmeric powder and coriander powder. Sauté for few minutes until it starts releasing oil.
- Add in the prepared spinach puree and mix. For frozen spinach, at this point add it in the Cook Pot. Also add around 1/2 cup water.
- Cover the Cook Pot and let it cook for 10 minutes on medium heat. The spinach will splutter a lot. Stir at regular intervals to avoid sticking at the bottom.
- Once the spinach is cooked, add the garam masala.
- Mix and cook for 1 minute.
- Then add cream and mix.
- Stir in the paneer and mix. Let the curry simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Your Palak Paneer is ready to Serve.
- You can serve it with roti / naan or steamed / jeera rice.
Equipment Used for This Recipe
Notes & Tips
- For bitter Spinach: If the spinach is bitter, you can use ½ tsp sugar to balance the taste.
- Cheese: You can pan-fry the paneer cubes (until golden brown) before adding them to the curry. I prefer cottage cheese as it is in my recipe.
- For Vegan: You can swap cottage cheese with tofu.
- Cream: This step is optional. However, cream gives richness to your Palak Paneer Recipe.
- Adding Onion & Garlic: If you want to add onions & garlic, take 1 onion and 2 cloves garlic. Finely chop them and add when you are adding ginger and tomato to the Cook Pot.
- Spiciness: To get the bright orangish-red color, it is best to use Kashmiri red chilli powder or deghi mirch.
- Oil: You can use any neutral tasting oil. Some options are sunflower oil, canola oil or olive oil.
- Tomatoes: You can use readymade tomato puree also in case you are out of tomatoes or not available at your place.
- Ingredients & Equipment: Find these Ingredients & Equipment at Indian specialty food stores / Grocery Stores or Online Stores. For review of some stores, please refer to the Grocery Review Section on our Website.
Nutrition Information (Note: Approximate)
FAQs – Palak Paneer Recipe
What is Palak Paneer?
Palak Paneer is a popular North Indian dish made with spinach and paneer, a type of Indian cheese. It is typically prepared in a creamy, spiced sauce and is served with rice or flatbread. Palak Paneer is a vegetarian dish that is loved for its rich, bold flavor and vibrant green color.
What are the main ingredients in Palak Paneer?
The main ingredients in Palak Paneer are spinach, paneer cheese, onions, spices, and cream. Fresh or frozen spinach can be used, and paneer cheese can be purchased at an Indian grocery store or made at home.
Can Palak Paneer be made vegan?
Yes, Palak Paneer can be made vegan by using a vegan cheese substitute instead of paneer cheese. Tofu or seitan can be used as a substitute for a similar texture, and coconut cream can be used in place of regular cream for a similar richness and creaminess.
What are some variations of Palak Paneer?
There are several variations of Palak Paneer, including a creamy, tomato-based sauce or a spicier, masala-based sauce. Some recipes also call for the addition of nuts or seeds to the sauce for a richer, nuttier flavor.
How long does Palak Paneer keep in the fridge?
Palak Paneer can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To extend its shelf life, store it in an airtight container and reheat it on the stove or in the microwave until it’s hot and fully heated through.
What are some tips to make the perfect Palak Paneer?
Here are a few tips to make the perfect Palak Paneer:
- Use fresh or frozen spinach for the best flavor and texture.
- Cook the spinach until it is tender, but still bright green.
- Use high-quality, fresh spices for the best flavor.
- Cook the dish over medium heat to avoid burning the spices and to allow the flavors to fully develop.
- Add cream at the end of cooking for a creamy, rich texture.
What are some dishes to serve with Palak Paneer?
Palak Paneer is typically served with rice or Indian flatbreads, like roti or naan. It can also be served with quinoa or other grain dishes for a complete meal. This dish is also a popular choice for special occasions and is often served at festivals and celebrations in India.
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Foodcazt is a food blog. We help you discover food. Benefit from our blog, recipes, grocery reviews and restaurant reviews. Uncover recipes. Learn about trends. Unearth unique restaurants. Find what moves you. Discover what inspires others. We handhold you through your cooking process, using step by step instructions, and where needed, pictures and videos. Read more on www.foodcazt.com
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