Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Palak Paneer

This green curry is very popular in North India and is often served at restaurants and parties. This vegetarian dish is a combination of spinach(palak) and Indian cottage cheese(paneer) that’s mildly spiced. Palak paneer can be exotic and simple at the same time. Most people think it’s difficult to make but it’s so easy that anyone can make it in less than half an hour (just have all the ingredients ready!) that’s not all…it’s a super healthy dish too!!


Preparation time: 10minutes
Cooking time: 25-30 minutes
Serves: 4

You need:
1 tbsp oil
1 tbsp butter
2 tsp ginger garlic paste
2 small bunches of palak (spinach)
200gms paneer (Indian cottage cheese)
1 medium size tomato (chopped)
2 medium size onions (roughly chopped)
10 cashew nuts
4 green chillies (roughly chopped)
¼ tsp sugar
salt to taste
½ tsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
a pinch of garam masala
water as required

For garnishing:
2tbsp fresh cream

Step-by-step: 










Cut paneer into small cubes and keep aside 








Cook the onions, cashew nuts and green chillies in a little water for 5 minutes. Cool and blend in a mixer till smooth (now the base of the gravy is ready) 










Wash and clean the palak leaves thoroughly









Boil a vessel full of water, drown the spinach leaves and cook for 2-3 minutes. Drain and immediately immerse in ice-cold water (or keep it under a cold water tap) for 5 minutes so that the bright green colour is retained
Drain and blend in a mixer to make a smooth paste 






Heat oil and butter in a non-stick kadhai, add the ginger garlic paste and tomatoes, mix well and stir on medium fire for 6-7 minutes (cook till the tomatoes turn mushy)  
After it’s cooked, add the prepared gravy and stir for another 5-6 minutes 








Now add the spinach paste, paneer, salt, kasuri methi, sugar and garam masala. Stir for about 5 minutes 

Transfer on to a serving bowl and garnish with fresh cream



Enjoy hot palak paneer with any Indian bread or rice.

12 comments:

  1. Yumm !Reveal the secret of the color :)

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  2. Raji, thanks for writing. Well,I have given you the secret in the recipe, read again:)..."Boil a vessel..." -cold water does the trick

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  3. You get excellent spinach here ... so I make spinach atleast once a week... I'll try your recipe

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  4. I liked draining and keeping under ice-cold water for retaining palak colour. Thanks for sharing this.

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  5. Uma, do try it and please post your feedback:)

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  6. pleasure is mine Raksha...do try it!:)

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  7. Yummy yummy!!!! Binitha. Love palak paneer!! Sometimes I substitute paneer with flat beans(avarekaai).The palak-avarekaai gravy goes well with dosa's and palak paneer with roti's .How strange... :) :)
    Babitha.Harish

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  8. WOW! One of my favorites too! The step by step guidance is just super and the presentation of the dish makes me want to have it right now!

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  9. Thank you Harish. It's an interesting combination with flat beans. I should try it too:)

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  10. Thanks a ton Arti. My idea is to make recipes as simple as possible and I'm glad it's bringing out the right message. thanks for those encouraging words...gives me a boost!:)

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  11. It was a hit - when i made it

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  12. Thank you for trying my recipe and posting your comment...Keep following 'Yours Tastefully' for more...

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