Bhumika Jagtap
Palak Paneer Recipe: The Classic Indian Dish
Palak Paneer is the most popular vegetarian dish in Indian cuisine. The creamy, flavorful spinach and paneer curry is a healthy delight that satisfies your taste buds and your body’s nutritional needs. If you are looking for a healthy, protein-rich meal packed with the goodness of spinach, Palak Paneer is the perfect choice for you.
What is Palak Paneer?
Palak Paneer is an authentic Indian curry, made by mixing fresh spinach (palak) into a smooth puree and then cooking it with aromatic spices, garlic, onions, and creamy paneer-Indian cottage cheese. The dish is both extremely flavorful and healthy, a rich source of iron, calcium, and protein.
This green curry is best served with Indian bread, such as naan or roti, or alongside a bowl of steamed basmati rice. It is a staple of vegetarian diets and one not to miss in the discovery of Indian cuisine.
Why is Palak Paneer Healthy?
- Iron and Vitamin Lots: Spinach is rich in iron, vitamin K, vitamin A, and folate content. All these contribute to healthy bodies.
- Protein-Packed Paneer: Paneer offers high protein and calcium content, making this is an excellent offering for vegetarians.
- Low in Fat This is a low-calorie and filling dish with minimal oil and cream usage.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Fresh spinach leaves | 500 grams |
| Paneer cubes | 200 grams |
| Onion (finely chopped) | 2 medium-sized |
| Tomato (pureed) | 2 medium-sized |
| Garlic (minced) | 4-5 cloves |
| Ginger (grated) | 1 teaspoon |
| Green chilies | 2 (optional) |
| Cumin seeds | 1 teaspoon |
| Turmeric powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Red chili powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Garam masala | 1 teaspoon |
| Heavy cream | 2 tablespoons |
| Ghee or vegetable oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Salt | To taste |
| Water | 1/2 cup |
How to Make Palak Paneer: Step-by-Step Recipe
1. Blanch and puree spinach
- Wash the spinach leaves free of all dirt and grit.
- Boil water in a pot. Add the spinach. Cook it for 2 minutes. Immediately plunge it into an ice bath to retain this bright green color.
- Blend the blanched spinach into a very smooth puree.
2. Prepare the Gravy
- Heat the ghee or oil in the pan. Add cumin seeds and allow it to crackle.
- Add in finely minced garlic, grated ginger, and green chilies. Stir-fry till fragrant.
- Coarsely chop onions. Saute until they turn golden brown.
- Add the tomato puree, turmeric powder, red chilies, salt, and switch off. Fry until the oil separates.
- Spinach Puree with Paneer Mix
- Add the spinach puree to the pan and mix well. Allow it to cook for another 5 minutes.
- Add garam masala and heavy cream towards the end for a rich and creamy texture.
- Add paneer cubes gently, and let the flavors mix well for about 2-3 minutes.
3. Serve and Delight
Garnish with a swirl of cream or a sprinkle of grated paneer.
Serve hot over naan, roti, or with steamed rice.
Pro Tips on Palak Paneer Recipe
- Green Color Preservation Spinach must be blanched and undercooked to retain this gorgeous green color.
- Softness of Paneer Soak paneer cubes in warm water for 10 minutes so that it remain soft and tender.
- Creamy Version: Replace the heavy cream with cashew paste to make it vegan or even more creamy.
This is the simple yet authentic Palak Paneer recipe through which you can have Indian cuisine in your home kitchen. Full of nutrients and flavors, it is a dish that you will want to make again.
Why Choose Blend of India Spices?
For an unforgettable taste of Palak Paneer, a good amount of spices do the magic. Blend of India is coming up with its organic preservative-free spices, promising to get the real authentic flavors of India in the kitchen today. Watch this space for the launch of Blend of India Spices to be your taste creator.
FAQ’s
Q. What is Palak Paneer?
A. Spinach curry with paneer (Indian cottage cheese).
Q. Is Palak Paneer healthy?
A. Yes, iron, protein, and calcium rich.
Q. Can I make it vegan?
A. Yes, replace paneer with tofu and cream with coconut or cashew cream.
Q. What goes well with Palak Paneer?
A. Naan, roti, or steamed rice.
Q. How to keep spinach green?
A. Blanch spinach and cool it in ice water immediately.
Q. Can I use frozen spinach?
A. Yes, thaw and puree it.
Q.How to make paneer soft?
A. Soak in warm water for 10 minutes before using.
Q. Can I make Palak Paneer ahead?
A. Yes, store in the fridge for 2 days or freeze for a month.
Is it gluten-free? Yes, gluten-free.
