Palak Paneer Recipe, how to make Palak Paneer - Edible Garden (2024)

Palak Paneer Recipe, how to make Palak Paneer - Edible Garden (1)Pin

Learn how to make Palak Paneer: this my recipe that’s perfected over the years by adding and subtracting ingredients to suit our palates. Thisversion of Palak Paneer contains no cream.

Today, TH turns 31. I met him when he was 24. Both of us were younger, slimmer, naive, and he really wasn’t TH back then, just this goofy funny guy who made me laugh all the time and ridiculed my Tamil. Most of that has changed now except one thing. TH’s love for Palak Paneer. When he first told me how much he loves Garlic Nan with Palak Paneer, I was surprised because where I come from, most guys don’t really like spinach. TH is neutral towards other spinach dishes but Palak Paneer, he adores. He has tried Palak Paneer in pretty much every city we have traveled to and is still on the quest to find the best Palak Paneer in Singapore.

Since we eat palak paneer so often when we go out for meals, I rarely make itat home. This one time I did make it, I used red amaranth leaves and way too much spices.Since then I’ve realised that Palak needs spices to make it less blandbut the spices need to edge it on, not overpower it and become bossy. If you are serving this with nan, the flavours need to be just right so that it complements the nan perfectly.

Anyway, on TH’s birthday this year, I wanted to share his most favourite dish and the recipe I have perfected over 4-5 trials. As mentioned, when I make Palak Paneer, I like to keep the recipe simple and don’t add unnecessary thickening agents or cream.

Browse all paneer recipes here.

Serve Palak Paneer as a Side Dish with:
Tawa Naan
Jeera Rice
Methi Paratha
Simple Vegetable Pulav
Triangular Chapatis
Vegetable Biryani

Palak Paneer Recipe, how to make Palak Paneer - Edible Garden (2)Pin

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Palak Paneer Recipe Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes Serves 4

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Paneer

Cuisine Indian

Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of cubed paneer how to make paneer
  • 4-5 cups of palak or green spinach, packed
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 tsp of minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp of minced ginger
  • 1 tsp of red chilli powder
  • 1 tsp of coriander powder
  • 1/2 tsp of jeera cumin powder
  • 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder
  • 1 large pinch of kasuri methi dried fenugreek leaves
  • 1 tsp of garam masala
  • 2 tsp of ghee or oil
  • 1 pinch of hing or asafoetida
  • 1 heaping tsp of tomato paste or 1 pureed tomato - optional
  • 1 cup of milk or water
  • 1 tbsp of plain curd or yogurt - optional

Instructions

  • How to Make Palak Paneer:

  • The first step is to blanch the spinach. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and dunk the washed spinach leaves in it. Let it simmer for about 2 mins and then remove. Puree to a smooth paste.

  • Drain the water and in the same bowl, heat the ghee or oil. Add the cumin powder and within 5 seconds, add the chopped onions. Saute until golden brown and add the spice powders like coriander powder, turmeric, chilli powder, and hing. Fry for a few seconds, taking care not to burn them spices.

  • Next, add the minced ginger and garlic and the tomato paste if using. Mix well and add the pureed spinach.

  • Top this off with the milk. Mix well, bring to boil and add the kasuri methi and salt.

  • Cook covered for about 6-8 mins until the spinach is completely cooked and spices have blended well into the gravy. Gently add the paneer pieces to the gravy.

  • Top off with a tbsp of curd (plain yogurt) if you want the gravy to be thicker. Sprinkle garam masala. Mix well and remove from the stove.

  • Serve hot with nan, roti, or pulao

Step by Step Palak Paneer Recipe:

1. The first step is to blanch the spinach. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and dunk the washed spinach leaves in it. Let it simmer for about 2 mins and then remove. Puree to a smooth paste.

Palak Paneer Recipe, how to make Palak Paneer - Edible Garden (3)Pin

2. Drain the water and in the same bowl, heat the ghee or oil. Add the cumin powder and within 5 seconds, add the chopped onions. Saute until golden brown and add the spice powders like coriander powder, turmeric, chilli powder, and hing. Fry for a few seconds, taking care not to burn them spices.

Palak Paneer Recipe, how to make Palak Paneer - Edible Garden (4)Pin

3. Next, add the minced ginger and garlic and the tomato paste if using. Mix well and add the pureed spinach.

Palak Paneer Recipe, how to make Palak Paneer - Edible Garden (5)Pin

4. Top this off with the milk. Mix well, bring to boil and add the kasuri methi and salt.

Palak Paneer Recipe, how to make Palak Paneer - Edible Garden (6)Pin

5. Cook covered for about 6-8 mins until the spinach is completely cooked and spices have blended well into the gravy. Gently add the paneer pieces to the gravy.

Palak Paneer Recipe, how to make Palak Paneer - Edible Garden (7)Pin

6. Top off with a tbsp of curd (plain yogurt) if you want the gravy to be thicker. Sprinkle garam masala. Mix well and remove from the stove.

Palak Paneer Recipe, how to make Palak Paneer - Edible Garden (8)Pin

Done! Delicious piping hot Palak Paneer is now ready.

Palak Paneer Recipe, how to make Palak Paneer - Edible Garden (9)Pin
Palak Paneer with Easy Vegetable Pulao(click for recipe)

Notes:

– You can fry the paneer pieces in some oil, dunk it into hot water for a few seconds, squeeze and set aside to be added to the gravy later. This makes the paneer softer. Since I used fresh homemade Paneer, I avoided this step.

– Adjust the quantity of spices to your liking. For me, these quantities work out perfectly.

– You can add a couple of green chillies to the spinach while grinding instead of using red chilli powder. I generally do this but didn’t have any fresh green chillies in hand that day.

For palak paneer recipe in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Marathi, Kannada etc please use the Google translate button in the sidebar.

Palak Paneer Recipe, how to make Palak Paneer - Edible Garden (2024)

FAQs

Why not to eat palak and paneer together? ›

The nutrients iron, folic acid, vitamins A, E, and K, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which help to prevent diseases like skin cancer, are abundant in spinach, a green leafy vegetable. When consumed together, the calcium in the paneer restricts the iron absorption from spinach.

How to make paneer taste better? ›

and can make paneer of any fresh fruits. Add enough tomatoes for a good taste and thick and creamy texture. Towards the end you can add a light splash of milk cream or milk to tone down the spices and addcreamy texture. Add garam masala and kasuri methi in the End for more favour.

Why does Palak Paneer turn bitter? ›

Overcooking palak can leave a bitter taste. You can use more spinach if you like. Whole spices are optional. But they do add a lot of flavor to the dish.

Why is paneer unhealthy? ›

Since paneer is a fresh cheese, its lactose content does not decrease as much as aged cheese. This makes digesting regular cheese easier than fresh paneer. Even if you have a weak or sensitive digestive system, paneer can cause bloating, gas, diarrhoea, and stomach pain.

When should paneer be avoided? ›

Those suffering from high blood pressure should avoid the consumption of paneer.
  1. Digestion Related Problems. Since paneer is high in lactose, it can make you feel bloated and create gas. ...
  2. Cholesterol. People suffering from high blood pressure should avoid the consumption of paneer. ...
  3. Weight gain. ...
  4. Allergies.
Oct 12, 2022

Is palak paneer good for high blood pressure? ›

Spinach. This green leafy super food is rich in folate, contains potassium and magnesium, and is full of antioxidants, all of which contribute towards maintaining blood pressure levels. Spinach can easily be enjoyed in salads or sandwiches or in the form of the much loved dishes like palak paneer.

Why does my palak taste bitter? ›

Overcooking can cause the natural compounds in spinach to break down, leading to a bitter taste. By sautéing the spinach just until it wilts, you can preserve its delicate flavor and avoid bitterness.

Why does my paneer curry taste bitter? ›

Your curry can taste bitter if the spices and garlic are burnt or if you've added too much fenugreek to the dish.

How do you balance bitterness in spinach? ›

Primarily, I want to say: If you find spinach and other greens too bitter, add some apple cider vinegar or other acid when cooking. This acid will help balance with the bitter. When I cook spinach, I sauté some diced tomato (another acid) in oil for a minute or two, and then put in the spinach. Hope this helps.

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