Enriched with the goodness of Palak, Paneer, and cream, Palak Paneer is one of the most prepared recipes in several Indian households, especially during winter. Palak Paneer is an authentic and vintage delicacy that is very healthy and flavorsome. Moreover, the palak paneer recipe has different variations such as homestyle palak paneer, restaurant style palak paneer, instant palak paneer, etc. Let us read more and know about how to make palak paneer as well as tips and tricks for preparing at home.
Ingredients required for Palak Paneer
Palak Paneer is a creamy, smooth, and delicious delicacy that is majorly prepared during the winter. Made with seasonal vegetables and paneer, this dish is a fusion of both taste and health. So, what is the wait for? Have a look at the ingredients of palak paneer and treat your loved ones by preparing it this winter.
Palak Paneer Ingredients:
Prep Time: 30 mins | Serves: 4 | Cooking Time: 10 mins
For The Puree
● 250 grams spinach or palak (roughly chopped)
● 1 to 2 green chilies - 1 to 2
● 1 to 2 chopped garlic (cloves) - 1 to 2 roughly chopped
● 1 inch roughly chopped ginger
Other Ingredients
● 2 tablespoons ghee or oil
● Cumin Seeds - ½ tsp
● 1 bay leaf
● 1 medium-sized finely chopped onion
● 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
● 1 medium finely chopped tomato
● ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
● ½ teaspoon red chili powder
● Pinch of hing
● ½ teaspoon garam masala
● 250 grams Paneer
● 1 teaspoon kasoori methi leaves
● Salt as per taste
For Garnishing:
● 1 inch finely sliced ginger
● 3 to 4 slices lemon
● Cream or butter (optional)
How to make Palak Paneer
●Take spinach leaves or Palak and wash them under running water. Check the stems. If they are tender then you can include them or else discard them if they are stringy.
●Take a pressure cooker and put it on medium flame. Add 3 cups of water and bring it to a boil. Now, add ¼ tsp salt to the boiling water and stir it well. Once the water is again boiled then take the pan off the heat.
●Now, put the spinach in the pressure cooker and let it cook. Switch off the flame after 4 to 5 whistles.
●Once the pressure is released from the pressure cooker, remove the spinach and let it cool. You can put ice cubes to stop the cooking process. The palak is blanched and is ready to be blended. But before that, drain the ice water.
●Put spinach in a mixing jar along with green chilies, chopped garlic, and chopped ginger.
●Blend it finely. Check if there are any lumps. Add water according to the consistency for a fine paste.
Preparing an easy palak paneer recipe:
Take a pan or a kadhai and put it on flame. Keep the flame between low to medium.
●Put ghee or oil or butter in the kadhai. If you are adding butter, then ensure that it does not burn.
●Put some cumin seeds and let them splutter.
●Add bay leaf and stir.
●Add finely chopped onions and saute them until they turn golden brown.
●Now, add finely chopped ginger and garlic. Stir and saute it properly in a way that it blends well with the onions. Let them turn gold
●Add the chopped tomatoes and stir them well. Let the tomatoes soften. Now, the ghee will be released on the edges of the mixture.
●Now, add hing, red chili powder, and turmeric powder. Mix them properly.
●Once the base is ready, add the prepared palak puree. Stir the entire mixture till it turns dark greenish in colour.
●Now, add 1/2 cup of water and mix. Let the vegetable simmer for around 8 to 10 minutes in a way that the spinach or palak is properly cooked.
●Add salt as per taste. Let the gravy thicken. Then add garam masala powder and mix it properly.
●Add the paneer cubes to the prepared gravy. Stir it properly and let it cook for 1 minute. Do not overcook paneer as it will become tight and difficult to chew
●Switch off the flame.
●Pour Palak Paneer into a bowl. Add low-fat cream to the palak paneer for garnishing.
●Lastly, it's time to garnish and serve. Drizzle a few drops of lemon. You can also put some raw grated paneer or fried paneer cubes for a great presentation.
●Serve hot and relish either with hot roti, naan, paratha, phulka or any rice dish such as steamed rice, vegetable pulao, jeera rice, etc.
Making Palak Paneer Instant Method
The following is an instant way to prepare palak paneer.
●Prepare the spinach paste and store it in the refrigerator in advance. This can be stored for 15 to 20 days. This will save you from all the troubles of cleaning the spinach and blanching and grinding it to a paste.
●Thereafter, put a cooktop on the gas. Add oil or ghee and heat it on a medium flame. Add cumin, onion, garlic, ginger and chopped tomatoes. Add all the spices. Stir the entire mixture properly.
●Now, cover it with a lid and let the ghee separate. Now add the palak gravy and let it cook properly on a medium flame. Mix it well. Put cottage cheese cubes and let it cook for another 1 minute.
●Serve it hot. You can garnish with some paneer cubes or grated paneer/cheese. Put some fresh cream as well and enjoy it with family and friends.
Expert Tips
Here are some tips that to help you prepare an easy palak paneer recipe.
●In case you want to prepare a vegan dish then you can replace paneer with tofu
●If you are not having paneer or tofu with you, then you can add boiled sweet corn or mushrooms or boiled potatoes to the paneer gravy.
●You can also pan-fry the paneer till golden brown and then add them to the spinach gravy.
●Now, put some fresh cream or cashew paste in the gravy to level up the consistency. This will make it more thick, creamy and rich.
●Soak the cashew nuts and then grind them in a blender along with some water.
●In case you are fasting and wish to eat this delicacy, then do not add onions and garlic. You can follow the remaining recipe as it is.
●If spinach or palak is bitter in taste then you can add ½ tsp of sugar.
Tips for making Palak Paneer
The following notes will help you in preparing the palak paneer recipe with ease.
Blanch well: As spinach or palak is bitter in taste, it is advised to blanch it well. Do not use it directly.
Give a twist to paneer: Pan-fry the paneer cubes in ghee or butter.
Choice of paneer: Go for homemade paneer. Avoid buying processed or packaged or frozen paneer.
Conclusion
Palak Paneer is a go-to recipe that can be relished anytime. The inclusion of rich ingredients makes it stand out amongst the other dishes. So, how about preparing it for yourself or your family?
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Palak Paneer a healthy dish?
A. Palak Paneer is one of the healthiest dishes. Palak or Spinach is a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Potassium, Folate, and Iron. Paneer or Cottage Cheese has protein. Thus, the inclusion of these rich nutrients makes it a healthy dish. To make it more healthy, one can avoid using fresh cream or use low-fat fresh cream.
Q. From where does Palak Paneer belong?
A. Palak Paneer is a North Indian dish that specifically hails from Punjab, India.
Q. How to reduce the bitterness of Spinach?
A. Spinach or Palak is originally bitter in taste. Thus, it is advised to first wash it properly. Thereafter pressure cook it in order to blanch it. Once cooled, blend it in a mixer. This will eliminate the bitterness of Spinach. Also, one can add ½ tsp of sugar to reduce bitterness.