Palak Paneer Indian Fresh Spinach with Paneer Cheese

Experience the vibrant flavors of India with this Palak Paneer recipe, a beloved vegetarian dish featuring fresh spinach and creamy paneer cheese. This wholesome curry combines the rich, earthy taste of spinach with a medley of aromatic spices like cumin, garam masala, and turmeric, creating a luscious, nutrient-packed sauce. The paneer cubes, which can be lightly fried for added texture, soak up the bold flavors, making every bite irresistible. With optional heavy cream for a velvety finish, this dish is perfect when served with naan, roti, or steamed basmati rice. Ready in under an hour, this gluten-free recipe is a comforting, restaurant-quality meal you can easily enjoy at home.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Fresh spinach leaves
• 250 grams Paneer cheese
• 1 medium Onion
• 1 medium Tomato
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 1 inch Ginger
• 1 medium Green chili
• 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
• 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Garam masala
• 0.5 teaspoon Red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
• 2 tablespoons Heavy cream (optional)
• 2 tablespoons Cooking oil or ghee
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

Wash the spinach leaves thoroughly and blanch them in boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to retain the green color. Drain and puree the spinach in a blender to a smooth consistency. Set aside.

Step 2

Cut the paneer into small cubes. Optionally, lightly fry the paneer cubes in a non-stick pan until golden and set aside.

Step 3

Finely chop the onion, tomato, garlic, ginger, and green chili.

Step 4

Heat the cooking oil or ghee in a large pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and let them sizzle for 30 seconds.

Step 5

Add the chopped onion and sauté until golden and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the garlic, ginger, and green chili. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 7

Add the chopped tomato and cook until soft and mushy, about 5 minutes.

Step 8

Stir in the turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Mix well.

Step 9

Add the spinach puree and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 10

Gently fold in the paneer cubes and cook for another 3-4 minutes to let the flavors combine.

Step 11

Sprinkle garam masala over the dish and stir lightly. If desired, add heavy cream for a richer curry and mix well.

Step 12

Serve hot with naan, roti, or steamed basmati rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1252.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1381.3

Total Fat 81.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 33.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.4g
Cholesterol 179mg	0%
Sodium 4431.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 112.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.0g	0%
Total Sugars 79.2g
Protein 61.0g	0%

Vitamin D 530IU	0%
Calcium 2144.0mg	0%
Iron 18.9mg	0%
Potassium 5361.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.4%

Protein: 17.1%

Carbs: 31.5%