The Ultimate Palak Paneer Recipe: A Unique Twist to a Classic Indian Dish

Introduction

Palak Paneer is a popular North Indian vegetarian dish made with spinach and paneer (Indian cottage cheese). It’s a nutritious and flavorful dish that is often enjoyed with Indian bread like naan or rice, The Ultimate Palak Paneer Recipe: A Unique Twist to a Classic Indian Dish.

Ingredients

• 2 cups spinach (palak), washed and chopped
• 200 grams paneer (Indian cottage cheese), cut into cubes
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2-3 green chilies, chopped
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1-inch ginger, grated
• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1/2 cup water
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Step 1: Blanching the Spinach

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil.
2. Add the chopped spinach and blanch for 2-3 minutes.
3. Drain the spinach and immediately transfer it to a bowl of ice water to retain its green color.
4. Drain again and blend the blanched spinach into a smooth paste. Set aside.

Step 2: Sautéing the Paneer

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add the paneer cubes and sauté them until they turn golden brown. Remove the paneer and set aside.

Step 3: Making the Gravy

1. In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon of oil and heat over medium heat.
2. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
3. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent.
4. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and green chilies. Sauté for a minute.
5. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften and the oil separates.
6. Add the spinach paste and mix well.
7. Stir in the turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and salt. Cook for a few minutes.

Step 4: Combining Spinach and Paneer

1. Add the sautéed paneer cubes to the spinach gravy.
2. Mix well and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
3. Adjust salt and spices according to taste.

Step 5: Serving

1. Transfer the Palak Paneer to a serving dish.
2. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
3. Serve hot with naan, roti, or steamed rice.

Enjoy this delicious and nutritious Palak Paneer dish, packed with flavors and goodness of spinach and paneer!