Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes

Course: main | Servings: 6

Difficulty level: easy

Ingredients

For spinach puree

  • 500 g Spinach / palak, raw, leaves, stems removed
  • 1 g Green chillies, slit
  • 8 g Ginger, fresh, chopped
  • 10 g Garlic, chopped

Paneer preparation

  • 350 g Paneer, cubes, 2.5 cm
  • 10 ml Cow Ghee, for searing
  • 1 g Salt, to season

For the gravy

  • 15 ml Cow Ghee, for tempering
  • 2 g Cumin seed / jeera, whole seeds
  • 1 g Tej patta, whole
  • 120 g Onion, finely chopped
  • 10 g Ginger, fresh, paste
  • 10 g Garlic, paste
  • 150 g Tomato, hybrid, raw, finely chopped, deseeded
  • 5 g Coriander seeds - whole / ground, powder
  • 3 g Cumin seed / jeera, powder
  • 3 g Dried chillies, Kashmiri red chilli powder
  • 1 g Turmeric / haldi, powder
  • 2 g Garam Masala, powder
  • 1 g Kasuri methi, crushed
  • 3 g Salt, to taste

For serving

  • 20 ml Cream, fresh, to finish
  • 5 g Lemon (nimbu), fresh juice
  • 1 g Black pepper, finely ground

Instructions:

For spinach puree

  • Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and salt it well.
  • Add Spinach leaves and blanch for 45 seconds only.
  • Immediately transfer spinach to ice cold water to lock the bright green colour. Drain well and squeeze out excess water.
  • Blend blanched spinach with green chilli, chopped ginger and chopped garlic into a smooth puree. Add only a little water if required.

Paneer preparation

  • Heat ghee in a pan. Add paneer cubes and sear lightly until just golden at the edges. Remove and keep aside.

For the gravy

  • In the same pan, add ghee. Add cumin seeds and let them crackle. Add bay leaf if using.
  • Add finely chopped onion and cook on medium low heat until translucent and lightly golden. Do not brown heavily.
  • Add ginger paste and garlic paste. Cook 1 to 2 minutes until the raw smell disappears.
  • Add chopped tomatoes and cook until softened and the mixture looks glossy.
  • Add coriander powder, cumin powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, dry fenugreek leaves and salt. Cook 30 to 60 seconds on low heat.
  • Lower the heat fully. Add spinach puree and mix. Cook gently for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring often. Avoid high heat to preserve colour.
  • Add paneer back in. Simmer 3 minutes so it absorbs flavour without turning chewy.

For serving

  • Adjust salt as required and turn heat off. Garnish with low fat cream, lemon juice and black pepper.
  • Rest covered for 5 minutes. Serve hot with phulka, paratha, or steamed rice.

Nutrition (Per Serving)

Calories: 190 kcal | Protein: 10.1 g | Carbohydrates: 9 g | Fat: 12.6 g | Fiber: 2 g

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