Hello friends, we hope you all are doing well. Palak Paneer dish is a popular dish from North India, rich in nutrients like calcium, iron & vitamin C. It’s a dish that is loved in every household. If you are not a fan of Palak (Spinach), we recommend trying the Palak Paneer recipe we are about to share. We assure you that if you make Palak Paneer following our recipe, you’ll start enjoying Palak as well. So, let’s move on to our Palak Paneer recipe, which you can easily prepare for any occasion.
MAKE DELICIOUS PALAK PANEER DISH RECIPE IN JUST 6 STEPS
Ingredients
- Palak (Spinach)- 250 Gram
- Tomato- 1 Large Size
- Ginger- 1 Inch Grated
- Garlic- 5-6 Piece Fine Chopped
- Oil- 2 Tbsp
- Red Chilli Powder- 1 Tbsp
- Turmeric Powder- 1 Tbsp
- Coriander Powder- 1 Tbsp
- Cloves- 3-4 Pieces
- Black Pepper- 3-4 Pieces
- Jeera- 1 Small Tbsp
- Paneer- 200 Gram
- Red Chilli- 2-3 Piece
- Bay Leaf (Tej Patta)- 2 Leaves
- Salt- 1 Tbsp or As Per Taste/ Requirement
- Water- 1 Cup or as per requirement
STEP-1
Clean, Boil Palak & Tomatoes and Prepare Paneer
To make or cook Palak Paneer, first, we’ll thoroughly clean and wash the Palak, then set it aside in a bowl. Next, we’ll take a pan and add half a cup of water. Add the Palak and tomatoes to the pan, and let them boil for 4-5 minutes. Meanwhile, we’ll cut the paneer into medium-sized cubes. The paneer can be chopped to any desired size.
STEP-2
Cool and Blend the Boiled Palak and Tomatoes
Once the Palak and tomatoes are well boiled, we’ll set them aside to cool. After they’ve cooled down, we’ll blend them into a fine paste.
STEP-3
Tempering the Spices and Sauteing Garlic and Ginger
Now, we’ll add 2 tablespoons of oil to a pan or kadhai. Once the oil is hot, we’ll add cumin seeds, followed by the rest of the whole spices—cloves, black pepper, bay leaf, and red chili—for tempering. After that, we’ll add finely chopped garlic and grated ginger, and saute them on low flame until they turn golden brown.
STEP-4
Cook the Palak and Spices
After this, we’ll add the ground palak, and tomatoes to the pan and cook on low to medium flame for 5-7 minutes, stirring well. Next, we’ll add 1 tablespoon of red chili powder, 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder, and 1 tablespoon of coriander powder. Mix the spices thoroughly, then add about half a cup of water, and continue stirring for 10-12 minutes on low to medium flame. This will allow the spices to blend and cook properly, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
STEP-5
Add Salt and Cook Paneer Cubes
Now that our Palak Paneer has cooked well, we’ll add salt according to taste. Then, we’ll add the paneer cubes that we had cut earlier and let it cook on low flame for 4-5 minutes.
STEP-6
Serve and Enjoy Tasty Palak Paneer Dish
Friends, our Palak Paneer is now ready to be served. You can serve it as is or garnish it with coriander leaves. It goes perfectly with roti, naan, chapati, or rice. When you make Palak Paneer this way at home, your family won’t be able to resist praising your cooking.
SECRET TIPS:
- Use Whole Spices Instead of Garam Masala Powder: In Palak Paneer, it’s better to use whole spices for tempering, as they enhance the flavor of the dish more effectively than garam masala powder.
- Choose Tender Spinach (Palak) Leaves: Always buy tender Palak leaves when making Palak Paneer, and avoid over-boiling the Palak, as it can destroy its nutrients.
- Substitute for Tomatoes: If you don’t have tomatoes on hand, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice to your Palak Paneer for a tangy flavor.
FAQS:
1. What is Palak Paneer?
Palak Paneer is a popular North Indian dish made from spinach (palak) and paneer (Indian cottage cheese), rich in nutrients like calcium, iron, and vitamin C.
2. How can I cook Palak Paneer at home?
To cook Palak Paneer at home, follow the recipe that involves boiling Palak and tomatoes, blending them into a paste, tempering with whole spices, and finally adding paneer cubes.
3. What are the ingredients needed for the Palak Paneer recipe?
The ingredients needed for the Palak Paneer recipe include Palak, paneer, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, oil, red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, cloves, black pepper, cumin seeds, bay leaves, red chili, salt, and water.
4. How much Palak is required for Palak Paneer?
You need 250 grams of Palak for this Palak Paneer recipe.
5. What type of paneer should I use for Palak Paneer?
Use 200 grams of fresh paneer, which should be cut into medium-sized cubes for the Palak Paneer dish.
6. How do you prepare Palak for Palak Paneer?
Thoroughly clean and wash the Palak, then boil it with tomatoes for 4-5 minutes before blending into a fine paste.
7. Can I use lemon juice instead of tomatoes in Palak Paneer?
Yes, if you don’t have tomatoes, you can use 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice in the Palak Paneer recipe for a tangy flavor.
8. What spices are used in the Palak Paneer dish?
The Palak Paneer recipe uses whole spices such as cloves, black pepper, cumin seeds, bay leaves, and red chili, along with powdered spices like red chili powder, turmeric powder, and coriander powder.
9. How long should I cook the palak and paneer mixture?
Cook the palak and paneer mixture on low to medium flame for about 10-12 minutes to allow the spices to blend and enhance the flavor.
10. How can I enhance the flavor of Palak Paneer?
Using whole spices for tempering instead of garam masala powder can significantly enhance the flavor of the Palak Paneer dish.
11. What should I serve with Palak Paneer?
You may have rice, roti, naan, or chapati with palak paneer.
12. How do I prevent the nutrients in palak from getting destroyed while making Palak Paneer?
To preserve the nutrients, always use tender palak leaves and avoid over-boiling them in the Palak Paneer recipe.
13. How do I add the paneer to the Palak Paneer dish?
Add the paneer cubes to the cooked palak mixture and let them cook on low flame for 4-5 minutes before serving.
14. How much water should be added while cooking Palak Paneer?
To get the right consistency, while the Palak Paneer mixture is cooking, add around half a cup of water.
15. Can I garnish Palak Paneer?
Yes, you can garnish Palak Paneer with coriander leaves before serving to enhance its presentation and flavor.
16. How does the use of whole spices affect the taste of Palak Paneer?
Whole spices add a deep, aromatic flavor to the Palak Paneer dish, making it more flavorful compared to using garam masala powder.
17. Is it necessary to use tomatoes in the Palak Paneer recipe?
While tomatoes add a rich flavor to the dish, they can be substituted with lemon juice if unavailable.
18. What is the benefit of using tender spinach leaves in Palak Paneer?
Using tender spinach leaves ensures that the Palak Paneer has a smooth texture and retains its nutrients.
19. What are the key steps in the Palak Paneer recipe?
Key steps include boiling and blending the palak, tempering with whole spices, adding the paneer cubes, and cooking the mixture to blend all the flavors.
20. How can I make Palak Paneer more nutritious?
To make Palak Paneer more nutritious, use fresh, tender palak, avoid overcooking, and ensure that all ingredients are fresh and of high quality.
For More Recipes be with us on Blasta Food Recipes & follow us on 👇🏻