Palak Paneer Recipe

Palak Paneer

INGREDIENTS 

• 1 bunch spinach 
• 150 gms paneer 
• 1 tsp coriander powder 
• 1 tsp kasuri methi ( optional ) 
• 2 -3 green chillies 
• 1-2 bay leaves 
• 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
• 50 -70 gms cashews 
• 4-5 cloves of garlic butter 
• 1 small onion finely chopped 
• 1/4 tsp garam masala 
• 1/4 tsp red chilly powder 
• 2 -3 tbsp cream
• 1 tomato  ( peeled and chopped )
• ginger julienne for garnish
• lemon wedges 
• sat to taste
• vegetable oil /ghee /butter 

HOW TO MAKE PALAK PANEER

• Rinse palak or spinach leaves thoroughly in running water, drain and discard the stems from the leaves.
• Boil 3-4 cups of water with pinch of salt , add the palak leaves and let it rest in water for 2-3 minutes .
• Strain the leaves and immediately add them to bowl containning ice cold water for preserving the green color. Let it rest for 2-3 minutes in ice cold water , drain and add the spinach in a food processor with green chilies and cashews. Blend to a smooth paste without adding any water to it .
• In a pan heat oil /butter / ghee , add cumin seeds and let it spluter.
• Add bay leaves and fineyl chopped garlic, saute for a minute. 
• Add finely chopped onions and fry until golden brown .
• Add chopped tomato and saute until the tomatoes have soften and formed into pulp.
• Add coriander powder and red chilly powder, roast the the masala until the oil separates.
• Add the palak mixture, dry crushed kasuri methi ( optional ) and mix well.
• Add 1/2 cup water and salt ,  stir and let it simmer for 8- 9 minutes or until spinach is cooked properly.
• Sprinkle some garam masala powder and let it simmer .
• Side by side in another fry pan , add butter and fry the paneer pieces .
• Add these paneer pieces to the gravy and simmer for a minute or 2 until paneer becomes soft .
• Now add cream and lightly stir so that cream gets mixed in the gravy .
• Switch off the gas and serve hot with come lemon wedges and top some ginger julienne and fresh cream if desired.
• Serve with roti , phulkas , naans or jeera / plain rice with fresh salads.

NOTE : 

• Increase or decrease the number green chilies as per your preferences in my Palak Paneer recipe.
• Some do add 1/2 tsp sugar too , so if you want you can add too .
• If you do not want to fry the paneer pieces, you can avoid that step .
• You can add 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste too , instead of adding garlic add ginger garlic paste , fry until raw smell disappears and then continue .
• I did not add ginger, but if you want you can add small piece of ginger when blending green chilies , cashews and spinach in a food processor .
• You can make delicious paneer at home , click here for Recipe link .

PREPARATION TIME: 20 -30 Minutes

COOKING TIME: 10 -15 Minutes .

TOTAL TIME TO COOK PALAK PANEER: 40-45 Minutes approximately.

SERVES: 4 Persons .