Roti or Rice, Indians love to have palak paneer in the platter. The evergreen and classic dish in Indian cuisine is loved by people of all ages. Made with tender spinach leaves and soft, creamy paneer (Indian cottage cheese), this dish is a favorite for its unique flavor and health benefits.
The majority of people who eat palak paneer are from North India, where it is considered a traditional dish. However, it has gained popularity throughout India and is now enjoyed by people all over the country.
Ingredients:
- 1 large bunch of spinach (palak), chopped
- 200g paneer, cut into cubes
- 2 medium-sized onions, chopped
- 2 medium-sized tomatoes, chopped
- 2 green chilies, chopped
- 2 teaspoons ginger garlic paste
- 2 teaspoons coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or whisked yogurt
- 1 tablespoon ghee or oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
Instructions to Cook:
- Wash and chop the spinach and keep aside.
- Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds.
- Once the seeds start to crackle, add chopped onions, green chilies, and ginger garlic paste. Cook until the onions turn golden brown.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder and salt to taste. Cook until the tomatoes become soft and mushy.
- Add the chopped spinach and let it cook until it wilts.
- Once the spinach has cooked, transfer it to a blender and blend it into a fine puree.
- In the same pan, heat some more oil and add the pureed spinach. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the cubed paneer and cook for 2-3 minutes until the paneer is heated through.
- Finally, add the heavy cream or whisked yogurt and stir until well combined.
- Serve hot with roti, naan, rice, or jeera rice.
- Variations: Some variations of this dish include adding other vegetables like mushroom or potatoes, or using different types of cheese like tofu or cottage cheese.
Palak Paneer is a healthy and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Spinach and paneer are a good source of protein, calcium, iron, and vitamins, which makes them a good choice for a healthy and filling meal.
