Palak Paneer is a classic Indian dish known for its rich, creamy spinach gravy and succulent chunks of paneer (Indian cottage cheese). Here is a simple recipe on how I make my palak paneer.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoons of softened ghee
- 400g fresh spinach
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt (for boiling spinach)
- 1 teaspoon of salt (for the gravy)
- 400g paneer (Indian cottage cheese)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 grated tomato
- 100ml fresh cream
- 2 tablespoons of Kashmiri masala
- 1/2 teaspoon of Dhania Jeera powder (coriander-cumin powder)
- 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon of ginger and garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon of jeera seeds (cumin seeds)
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 green chilies, finely chopped
- Salt to taste
For the Tadka (Tempering):
- 2 cloves of crushed garlic
- 2 dried red chilies
- 1 teaspoon of Kashmiri masala
- 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder
METHOD
- Begin by boiling the fresh spinach with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda until it becomes tender. Once cooked, drain the spinach and squeeze out excess water. Blend the wilted spinach with a little water until you have a smooth puree.
- In a heated pot, add the softened ghee, jeera seeds, and the bay leaf. Allow them to sizzle for about a minute.
- Add the finely chopped onions, ginger and garlic paste, and fresh diced garlic to the pot.
- Add the ground spices and let them cook until they release their aromatic fragrance.
- Incorporate the grated tomato into the mixture and let it cook until the oil surfaces.
- Now, add the blended spinach and a bit of water to the tomato gravy. Mix it well to create a harmonious blend.
- Once the gravy has come together, add in the fresh cream and let it simmer for a couple of minutes.
- Optionally, you can fry the paneer pieces, or you can add them as they are into the mixture.
- Lastly, for the tempering, heat some ghee in a pan and add Kashmiri masala, crushed garlic, turmeric, and dried red chilies. Sizzle them for a moment.
- Drizzle this aromatic tempering over the Palak Paneer along with a touch of fresh cream.
Serve your delicious Palak Paneer with roti or naan for a delightful meal that will surely impress your taste buds!