Recipe for Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer (Spinach and Cottage Cheese) is one of the most delicious dishes made with Paneer and is quite a popular dish in northern India.

Paneer consumption in India is said to have originated in Punjab, but today, it is relished by people in almost all parts of the country. The migration of people between states has also led to a food revolution in the country, introducing people to its rich food diversity. It is now common for dosas and idlis to be made in North Indian homes, while South Indians often try parathas and dal makhani. While people from the east try the dhoklas and theplas from the west, people from the west try the momos and thukpas.

In line with this significant shift in eating habits, due to increased access to various foods, paneer is one ingredient that has become a staple in many households in India. Dishes made with paneer are a favourite among vegetarians, as they are tasty and a great source of protein. Paneer is served during parties, functions, and family dinners. Many delicious dishes such as Matar Paneer, Paneer Makhni, Afghani Paneer and Paneer Kofta are commonly prepared in restaurants, dhabas, and homes. People are continuing to innovate and create new delicacies every day. Such is the popularity of paneer that it has found its way into the Indian versions of Pasta, Pizzas, and Noodles.

When I moved to Germany 3 years back, I wasn’t sure that paneer would be available in this European country. But to my surprise, it is readily available even in the smallest Indian stores in my city. And sometimes, when it’s unavailable, I make it at home with fresh milk. The process is simple and doesn’t take much time.

In Alnatura, this paneer is available, and it works perfectly.

Today, I am sharing TWO RECIPES for Palak Paneer. The first recipe is with fresh spinach leaves. The second is with a product called Rahm Spinat, which is available in supermarkets in Germany. Rahm Spinat is frozen Spinach with about 10% fresh cream. The product looks like this and is available in the freezer section of supermarkets.

This dish combines Spinach and Paneer with a few Indian spices to create a delicious dish that pairs well with Roti, Paratha, or rice.

In restaurants, a much more decadent version of this dish is made. However, what I am sharing with you today are simple recipes I use for my everyday cooking. Both recipes are easy to follow, cook quickly, are not overly rich, yet are delicious and comforting.

So, let’s start.

Equipment Needed:

• Pan
• Mixer grinder
• Spatula

Recipe 1: Palak Paneer with Fresh Spinach

Ingredients needed for making Palak Paneer:

1. Paneer: 250 gm ( cut into cubes)
2. Spinach: 500 gm ( washed and chopped if you are using big spinach. I used baby spinach, so I added it without chopping)
   
   
   
3. Salt: To taste
4. Turmeric Powder: 1 teaspoon
5. Red Chili Powder: 1 teaspoon
6. Coriander Powder: 1 tablespoon
7. Garam Masala: 1 teaspoon
8. Green Chilies : 3-4 ( roughly chopped)
9. Onion: 2 Big ( 1 sliced and 1 finely chopped)
10. Tomato: 1 medium-sized ( finely chopped)
11. Ginger ( finely chopped): 1 tablespoon
12. Garlic ( finely chopped): 1 tablespoon
13. Unsalted Butter: 2 tablespoons
14. Ghee: 1 tablespoon
15. Oil: 1 teaspoon
16. Fresh Cream: 2 tablespoons

Recipe for making Palak Paneer:

1. Heat oil in a pan. Add green chillies, followed by one onion ( that has been cut into large slices). Once the onions become translucent, add washed spinach and fry everything together for 5-10 minutes.
   
   
   
2. Then take out the mixture and let it cool. Once it is cooled, grind it into a paste.
   
   
   
3. Take a pan ( you can use the same pan in which you had fried the onions and spinach). Heat butter and ghee. Add ginger and garlic and fry on high heat for about 2 minutes.
   
   
   
4. Now add finely chopped onions and fry till they turn translucent.
   
   
   
5. Now add finely chopped tomatoes.
   
   
   
6. Add salt, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and garam masala. Reduce the heat, put the lid and let it cook till the fat is released.
   
   
   
7. Now add paneer and fry everything together for 2 minutes.
   
   
   
8. Then add the Spinach-onion-chili puree and cook for about 5 minutes, with a lid, and at low/medium heat.
   
   
   
9. Before serving, garnish with fresh cream.
   
   
   
10. Serve with Roti or Rice or Paratha.
    
    

Here is the recipe in printable format:

Recipe 2: Palak Paneer with Rahm Spinat

Ingredients Needed to make Palak Paneer with Rahm Spinat:

• 250 gm Paneer; cut into cubes (keep 2 cubes aside)⅓
• ⅓ Cup Milk
• 3 Medium-Sized Onions; thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp Finely Chopped Ginger
• 1 tbsp Finely Chopped Garlic
• 1 tbsp Chopped Green Chillies
• 1 Medium-Sized Tomato; Thinly Sliced
• ½ tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1 tsp Tandoori Chicken Masala
• ½ tsp Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder
• 1 tsp Coriander Powder
• ⅓ tsp Garam Masala Powder
• 1 tsp Kasuri Methi
• Salt; to taste
• 450 gm Rahm Spinat (Frozen Spinach with cream)
• 4 tbsp Oil
• Fresh Coriander Leaves for garnishing

Method to make Palak Paneer with Rahm Spinat:

• Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan.
  
  
  
• Fry onion slices on medium heat till they turn golden brown. Once done, keep them aside. Once it cools, grind it to a fine paste.
  
  
  
• In the same pan, heat 2 tbsp of oil. Add finely chopped ginger and garlic. Fry them on medium heat for 30-40 seconds.
  
  
  
• Add green chillies, and fry for another 30 seconds.
  
  
  
• Add sliced tomatoes.
  
  
  
• Add salt, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, tandoori chicken masala and kasuri methi. Mix.
  
  
  
• Cover with a lid. Reduce the heat and cook it for about 5 minutes. Mix in between.
  
  
  
• Add onion paste.
  
  
  
• Mix well. On medium heat, cook for another five minutes.
  
  
  
• Now, add Rahm Spinat.
  
  
  
• Cover it and cook for about 15 minutes.
  
  
  
• Add paneer cubes. Mix.
  
  
  
• Combine 2 cubes of paneer and milk and grind them in a mixie. Add this to the gravy.
  
  
  
• Mix.
  
  
  
• Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve.
  
  
  

Here is the recipe in printable format:

Some notes for my readers in Germany:

1. I have used Blattspinat ( Spinach) in this recipe. This variety of spinach tastes close to Indian spinach.
   
   
   
2. I have used shop-bought Paneer in this recipe. However, you can even make it at home using fresh milk.
   
   
   
3. Read my articles about Ghee and Salt so that you can source the right products from the supermarket.
   

About Ingredient sourcing in Germany:

While you can get some of the ingredients needed for this recipe from a German Supermarket, you can get most of the ingredients from an Indian shop near you OR from the online store of Spicelands. They are a big store in Frankfurt, delivering all across Germany.

Alternatively, you can even buy these ingredients from amazon.de. Links are given below:
Paneer: https://amzn.to/3IaIB3u
Spinach: https://amzn.to/3WbB8XN
Salt: https://amzn.to/3ACstDM
Turmeric Powder: https://amzn.to/3M6pCrX
Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder: https://amzn.to/3o1N6Xj
Coriander Powder: https://amzn.to/3OcRKww
Garam Masala: https://amzn.to/3IdiSYd
Onions: https://amzn.to/41A3k7W
Tomatoes: https://amzn.to/42BdtCB
Ginger: https://amzn.to/3pxq4Ia
Garlic: https://amzn.to/42wXmWy
Unsalted Butter: https://amzn.to/3NKgLPe
Oil: https://amzn.to/3W2tXkw
Fresh Cream: https://amzn.to/3Brjh5y

Equipment needed for the recipe:
Please note that I use all these in my kitchen. I am happy and satisfied with these products, and hence, I recommend these to my readers.

Pan: https://amzn.to/3NS4nNd
Mixer:
Option 1 WMF: https://amzn.to/3IlUfrX  (Perfect for Indian cooking, with great reviews)
Option 2: Preethi: https://amzn.to/3n9XCLH ( I use this. It is perfect for Indian cooking, but priced higher than WMF)
Cutting Board: https://amzn.to/3n9IXjM
Knife Set (includes a bread knife): https://amzn.to/3Lg64Bj

Check out other recipes from my kitchen here.

Also, read about identifying and understanding other products in German Supermarkets here.

Please note that this article contains affiliate links. If you buy using these links, I receive a small commission. This has no effect on the price for you.

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