Padhuskitchen


Palak Paneer

by 69 Comments

I am a big fan of North Indian (especially Punjabi dishes) dishes and cook North Indian dishes at least twice a week. I learnt all South Indian dishes from my mother and North Indian dishes from my aunty who is an expert in cooking various dishes. Palak Paneer is a very popular Indian dish that goes well with all Indian Breads and flavored rice. This is one of my family’s favorite. Today let us learn how to make palak paneer following this easy recipe.

Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer-How to make Palak Paneer


Palak Paneer

 Prep Time : 15 mins

 Cook Time : 30 mins 
 Serves: 3-4
 Recipe Category: Side Dish
 Recipe Cuisine: Punjabi-Indian
 Author:

   Ingredients needed

   Spinach/Palak leaves- 3 cups firmly packed
   Green Chilli -1
   Paneer/Indian cheese -200 grams (15-20-pieces)
   Onion – 3/4 cup chopped finely
   Garlic -3-4 cloves finely chopped
   Ginger-garlic paste – 1 tsp flat
   Turmeric powder -1/4 tsp
   Tomatoes -1 cup finely chopped or 3 ripe ones

   Salt as required

    Spice Powder

   Cumin /Jeera powder -3/4-1 tsp tsp
   Coriander powder -2 tsp
   Red Chilli powder -1 tsp or as required (I used homemade chilli powder)
   Garam masala powder/ kitchen king masala – 3/4 tsp

   For the seasoning

   Oil- 2 1/2 tbsp
   Cumin seeds/jeera seeds -1 tsp
   Cinnamon – 1 inch piece
   Cloves – 2

   For garnishing

   Fresh cream – 2 tbsp (optional)

Preparation


Cut paneer into cubes and shallow fry it slightly in very less oil. Keep it aside. Check out my homemade paneer recipe.

Discard the thick stems of spinach and use the leaves alone.

Bring water to boil. Add spinach leaves and cook uncovered for 3-4 minutes. Once it cools, grind it to a smooth  paste with green chilli and keep it aside. Our spinach/palak puree is ready.

cooking spinach leaves

Method

Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds/jeera, cinnamon and cloves. When jeera sizzles, add finely chopped onions, garlic and saute until onion turns golden brown. Add a little salt to speed up the process. Continuous stirring is necessary for the onions to brown evenly.

preparing palak paneer

Add ginger-garlic paste and saute for a few more minutes or until the raw smell goes.

Add tomatoes, all the spice powder, turmeric powder and salt needed.

sauteing tomatoes

Cook until tomatoes becomes mushy and oil oozes out. (See the picture of the cooked tomatoes below-you must cook it like that). Do not add water without cooking the tomatoes well.

Add the palak/spinach puree and cook uncovered in medium or low flame for 5-6 minutes.

how to prepare palak paneer

Once the spinach is cooked well, add the cubed paneer pieces and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

spinach and cottage cheese gravy

Add 1/2 of water (You can use the water in which you cooked spinach leaves) and cook simmered until everything gets blended well. If the gravy becomes thick, add little more water and adjust the consistency. Check for salt.

Garnish with fresh cream and serve.

palak paneer recipe

Serve Palak Paneer with phulka, parathas or jeera pulao or ghee rice or any flavored rice.

how to make palak paneer
Phulka with palak paneer 
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Mina Joshi

    I love your recipe, My family love paneer so will try this palak paneer recipe. I would probably add a chunk of butter or cream to it to remind me of my childhood days when my punjabi neighbours used to cook palak in a clay pot! I love your presentation photo.

    Reply

  24. Satya

    hi padhu,
    palak paneer looks so delicious i can't resist myself ,feel like to grab it from the screen as it is my favorite dish n basically i love spinach 🙂
    thanks for visiting my blog n giving such an valuable comments ….

    Reply

  25. Dipika

    ummmm….palak paneer…who can say no to this wonderful dish….looks very green and attractive…
    I prep the same way except that i dnt add tomatoes…will try ur recipe this time 🙂

    Reply

  33. Share

    Spinach was my father's favorite … i too like it very much and add it to my diet with all possible dishes. thanks Padhu…why don't you spare more for "greens special".

    Reply

  53. new mom

    I tried this dish today , the taste was nice … However , the tomato skins were sticking out from the dish , can u also advice the amount of salt too? I have tried many dishes of urs … All are simply superb !!

    Reply

  55. carolyn fields

    I have made this many times. It has become a family favorite! I've even made it using kale instead of spinach and it is delicious that way, too. Thank you so much for posting this wonderful recipe!

    Reply

  62. Unknown

    Cooked your recipe exactly today. Turned out perfect. Yummier than restaurant! I wish I can post the photo. My hubby enjoyed it. I fried my paneer until lightly browned. Thanks so much for a great recipe.

    Reply

  63. anu Prabhakar

    Hi padhu yesterday I made palk panner mukids just loved it inwaI to talk to you can you please mail me if you don't mind I am a gresg fan of your recipes please please I request you to mail me

    Reply

  66. Sadhana Santhosh

    Can u tell me the alternate for fresh cream? Coz I don’t buy fresh cream as it is not of much usage at our home.

    Reply

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