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Delicious easy Palak Paneer - Indian spinach cheese curry with rich flavors.

Palak Paneer

A comforting and creamy Indian spinach curry with paneer, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

Vegetables
  • 1 bag Spinach (fresh or frozen) Fresh is brighter; frozen is convenient.
  • 1 medium Onion, chopped Chopped
  • 1 small Tomato Or a few spoonfuls of crushed tomato.
Paneer
  • 200 grams Paneer, cubed Store bought works great.
Aromatics
  • 2 cloves Garlic Fresh is best but paste is fine.
  • 1 inch Ginger, fresh Grated or minced
Spices
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Coriander
  • 1 teaspoon Garam masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon Chili powder A pinch
Condiments
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 squeeze Lemon
  • 2 tablespoons Oil or ghee Ghee adds a buttery flavor.
  • 1/4 cup Cream (optional) A splash at the end makes it extra comforting.
Optional
  • 1 optional Green chili For heat.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the spinach: If using fresh spinach, toss it into a pot with a tiny splash of water and cook just until wilted. If using frozen, thaw and warm it up.
  2. Blend the spinach with a little water until smooth.
  3. Brown the paneer: Heat oil or ghee in a pan and quickly sear the paneer cubes until lightly golden. Set aside.
Cooking
  1. In the same pan, add more oil if needed and cook chopped onion until golden.
  2. Add ginger and garlic, cooking for about 30 seconds.
  3. Stir in tomato, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder. Cook until fragrant and jammy.
  4. Pour in the blended spinach, adding salt and let it simmer for a few minutes.
  5. Add the browned paneer back to the pan, finishing with garam masala and a squeeze of lemon.
  6. If desired, add a splash of cream at the end for richness.

Notes

Adjust spiciness by adding more chili. Substitute paneer with halloumi or extra firm tofu if needed. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.