Palak Paneer is a popular North Indian dish made with spinach (palak) and paneer (Indian cottage cheese). Here’s a simple recipe for cooking it at home in a North Indian home-style:
Ingredients:
- 500 grams fresh spinach leaves, washed and chopped
- 200 grams paneer, cubed
- 2 medium-sized onions, finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
- 2-3 green chilies, chopped (adjust according to your spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil or ghee
- Water, as needed
Instructions:
- Blanch the Spinach:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Add the chopped spinach leaves and blanch them for about 2-3 minutes.
- Drain the spinach and immediately transfer it to a bowl of ice-cold water.
- Once cooled, drain the water and blend the spinach into a smooth puree. Set aside.
- Fry the Paneer:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil or ghee in a pan over medium heat.
- Add the paneer cubes and fry them until they turn golden brown on all sides.
- Remove the paneer from the pan and set it aside.
- Prepare the Gravy:
- In the same pan, add another tablespoon of oil or ghee if needed.
- Add the cumin seeds and let them splutter.
- Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
- Add the ginger-garlic paste and green chilies, and sauté for another minute.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they turn soft and mushy.
- Add Spices:
- Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, and salt to the onion-tomato mixture.
- Mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes until the spices are well incorporated.
- Combine Spinach Puree:
- Add the spinach puree to the pan and mix everything well.
- If the mixture is too thick, you can add a little water to adjust the consistency.
- Let the mixture simmer for 5-7 minutes on low heat, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Add Paneer and Garam Masala:
- Once the gravy is cooked to your desired consistency, add the fried paneer cubes.
- Sprinkle garam masala over the top and gently mix everything together.
- Final Touches:
- Let the Palak Paneer simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
- Check for seasoning and adjust salt or spices if needed.
- Turn off the heat and transfer the Palak Paneer to a serving dish.
- Serving:
- Serve hot with roti, naan, or rice. Enjoy your delicious North Indian home-style Palak Paneer!
Feel free to adjust the spice levels and consistency of the gravy according to your taste preferences. Enjoy your homemade Palak Paneer!