New Delhi: North Indian dishes are adored across the nation! From Dal Makhni to Chole Bhature, these scrumptious delicacies are irresistible. Among the most popular North Indian dishes is paneer. Whether served as grilled tikkas or in a rich gravy, paneer is universally loved.
One of the most cherished paneer recipes is Palak Paneer, a comforting vegetarian dish that combines fresh spinach (palak) with soft cubes of paneer—a type of Indian cottage cheese—simmered in a fragrant, spiced gravy. Its rich flavour and vibrant colour make it a household staple. Let’s learn how to prepare this classic Palak Paneer at home in a few simple steps.
Palak Paneer Recipe
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make Palak Paneer at home:
- 250 grams spinach or 5 to 6 cups roughly chopped spinach
- 1 to 2 green chillies or 1 Serrano pepper or 1 to 2 Anaheim peppers, chopped
- 1 to 2 small to medium garlic cloves, roughly chopped (optional)
- 1-inch piece of ginger, roughly chopped
- 3 cups water for blanching spinach
- 3 cups water for an ice bath
- 2 tablespoons oil, ghee (clarified butter), or butter
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 small to medium tej patta (Indian bay leaf)
- ⅓ cup finely chopped onions (or 1 small to medium onion)
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic (or 4 to 5 small to medium garlic cloves)
- ⅓ cup finely chopped tomatoes (or 1 small to medium tomato)
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder (ground turmeric)
- ½ teaspoon red chilli powder, cayenne pepper, or paprika
- 1 pinch asafoetida (hing) – optional
- ½ cup water (or as required)
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon garam masala (adjust to taste)
- 200 to 250 grams paneer
- 2 tablespoons low-fat cream (or 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream)
- 1 teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) – optional
- Salt, to taste
- 1 to 2 teaspoons cream (low-fat, heavy cream, or cooking cream) or butter for garnish – optional
- ½ to 1-inch piece of ginger, julienned
- Lemon or lime wedges for garnish
How to Make Palak Paneer
1. Making the Spinach Purée
- Start by rinsing the palak (spinach) leaves thoroughly under running water. Tender stems are fine, but discard any stringy ones.
- Boil 3 cups of water in a pan, microwave, or electric kettle. Add ¼ teaspoon of salt to the hot water and stir.
- Once the water comes to a rolling boil, turn off the heat and add the spinach leaves. Let them sit in the hot water for about 1 minute.
- Using tongs, transfer the spinach leaves to a bowl of ice-cold water. This step helps preserve the spinach’s vibrant green colour.
- Add 8 to 10 ice cubes to 3 cups of water to prepare the ice bath. Let the spinach sit for 1 minute, then drain.
- Blend the spinach in a blender or grinder along with chopped ginger, garlic, and green chillies to make a smooth purée.
- Avoid adding water while blending. Set aside.
2. Sautéing Onions and Tomatoes
- Heat oil or ghee in a pan or kadai.
- Add the cumin seeds and let them splutter.
- Next, add the tej patta (Indian bay leaf).
- Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
- Stir in the chopped garlic and cook until its raw aroma disappears, but do not brown it.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and sauté until soft.
- Once the tomatoes soften and release oil along the sides of the pan, add the turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and asafoetida. Mix well.
3. Cooking the Palak Paneer
- Add the spinach purée to the pan and mix well.
- Pour in ½ cup of water and stir. Simmer for 6 to 7 minutes, or until the spinach is fully cooked. The gravy will thicken as it simmers.
- Season with salt and stir in the garam masala.
- Add the paneer cubes and gently mix to coat them with the gravy. Avoid overcooking the paneer, as it can become chewy; cook for just 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons of low-fat cream (or 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream) and mix gently.
4. Garnishing and Serving
- Transfer the Palak Paneer to a serving dish.
- For garnish, drizzle a small amount of cream or melted butter on top, if desired. Add a few julienned pieces of ginger and a squeeze of lemon or lime juice for a refreshing touch.
Your creamy, delicious Palak Paneer is ready! Serve hot with naan, roti, or paratha for a satisfying meal.
Discover the ultimate Palak Paneer recipe! This creamy, spinach-based dish combines fresh flavours with soft paneer cubes, perfect for any Indian food lover. Food & Drink Lifestyle News -Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Party News, Relationship advice, Travel and Food Tips
