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palak paneer recipe indian spinach curry creamed cottage cheese authentic traditional easy best

Palak Paneer

By Kimberly Killebrew
Richly seasoned with bite-sized pieces of paneer in a creamy spinach sauce, this naturally vegetarian and gluten-free dish can be served as a main course or side dish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 tablespoons ghee (can use butter or oil)
  • 1 large yellow onion , chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic , minced
  • 2 teaspoons minced ginger root
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • homemade garam masala , click for recipe (highly recommended for best flavor)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder (can substitute cayenne), for a touch of heat; optional
  • pinch of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 1 green chili pepper (e.g., Thai, jalapeno), seeds and membranes removed, chopped
  • 2 Roma tomatoes , diced
  • 2 teaspoons tomato paste (can substitute plain tomato sauce)
  • 1 1/2 pounds fresh baby spinach leaves , washed and drained (or 10-12 ounces frozen, thawed and thoroughly drained)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable broth
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 12-14 ounces paneer , cubed
  • 2-3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice , or to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat the ghee over medium-high heat and cook onion until soft and translucent, 4-5 minutes. Add garlic, ginger and spices and cook for another 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and chili pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the spinach in batches (however much your pot can hold at a time) along with the vegetable broth and saute until wilted. Once wilted add the next batch. Cover the pot, reduce the heat, and let it simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the cream and use a blender stick or blender to puree the mixture to a just slightly chunky consistency. Stir in the paneer and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and add more salt to taste.
    Serve with naan, roti and/or rice.
    This serves 4 as a main dish or 6 as a side.

Nutrition

Calories: 451kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 18gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 22gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 868mgPotassium: 1135mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 16615IUVitamin C: 58mgCalcium: 606mgIron: 5mg
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
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