Palak Paneer
Palak paneer is a vibrant North Indian dish featuring cubes of fresh cottage cheese nestled in a smooth, spiced spinach gravy. It is a nutritional powerhouse that proves vegetarian Indian cooking can be deeply satisfying and full of complex flavor.
Soft paneer cubes in a silky spiced spinach sauce make this a classic vegetarian Indian favorite.
Nutrition per serving
Ingredients
Protein
Vegetables
Aromatics
Spices
Instructions
Blanch the Spinach
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and blanch the spinach for exactly 2 minutes until wilted and bright green. Immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking and preserve the color. Drain well and blend to a smooth puree. Set aside.
Cook the Base
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a heavy pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter for 30 seconds. Add diced onion and cook for 8 minutes until golden. Add tomatoes and ground coriander and cook for another 6 minutes until the tomatoes break down completely.
Combine Spinach and Spices
Pour the spinach puree into the tomato onion base and stir well. Add salt and a pinch of garam masala. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the gravy is fragrant and has a unified, smooth consistency.
Add Paneer and Serve
Gently fold in the paneer cubes and simmer for 3 minutes just enough to warm the cheese through without breaking it apart. Finish with a swirl of cream if desired and serve immediately with warm naan or steamed basmati rice.
Substitutions
Common mistakes
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