Palak paneer is one of the go to comfort dish for paneer lovers. It is very easy to make, tastes amazing and is a good way to serve the spinach greens for picky eaters, adults and kids :). Spinach is high in protein and iron. Lately my kidos have been digging it too, they call it the Green Paneer.I chop the paneer into smaller bite size pieces so they get panner with each bite and the spinach does not get too much attention. Hey, whatever makes them enjoy a good healthy meal right?
This dish can also be made vegan by replacing the Panner with Tofu. I recommend using the firm tofu so it holds shape and has similar texture. That is the only ingredient that need to be replaced everything else in this recipe is vegan friendly.
I have been in search of that palak paneer flavor that I tasted some 15 years back in some restaurant when I was in Bhopal. There was something distinct about that taste which I am unable to put my finger even today. While with every attempt I try to recreate that taste, even though it seems more unlikely by every passing day, my quest to get there continues….
But that said this version is my standard that never fails whenever I am not experimenting :).
Palak Paneer | Cottage cheese Spinach dip
Ingredients
- Spinach -5-6 cups
- Paneer – 1-1/2 cup cubed
- Onion – 1-2 medium chopped finely
- Tomato – 2 medium chopped finely
- Garlic – 3 cloves grated
- Ginger – 1 tbs grated
- Green chilis – 2-3 nos as per taste
- Garam masala – 2 tbs
- Water to boil spinach
- Dry masala:
- Cloves – 4 nos
- Big Cardamom- 1 nos
- Bay leaf – 1-2 small
- Jeera – 2 tsp
- Oil – 2 tbs
Instructions
- Boil 2 cups of water and add the spinach to it. Let the spinach cook and reduce. I prefer to add as little water so I don’t have to drain and throw the water.
- Once done set it aside to cool. Grind it to a smooth paste along with the green chilis.
- Do not add too much water and get a thick consistancy at this stage.
- In a pan heat the oil and add all the dry ingredients. Once the jeera/cumin spatters add in the finely chopped onion to the pan.
- Once onion is cooked add the garlic and ginger paste and the chopped tomato. Let it all cook and mix well.
- I takes about 5-8 minutes for the mixture to cook completly.
- Once this mixture cooked add the garam masala, salt and the spinach mix. Let it all come together.
- Fry the cubed paneer to a pan for a min. Don't over do it as paneer will become very dry.
- If you are adding the tofu add it at this stage.
- Now add in the fried paneer to the spinach gravy and cook it for 2-3 mins and turn off the heat.
- Palak paneer is ready to serve.
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