Learn to make delicious palak paneer
Palak Paneer is a popular Indian curry made with spinach and paneer (an Indian cheese). This dish has a vibrant green color and is packed with nutrients. It is also a great vegetarian option for those who love indulging in rich and flavorful meals. If you’re a fan of this dish and are looking to cook it at home, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll guide you on how to make palak paneer in relaxed English language.
The key to making palak paneer is getting the perfect blend of flavors. The spinach gives it a fresh taste while the paneer adds a creamy texture. It’s a simple recipe that doesn’t take much time to cook. You can serve it with rice, naan, or chapati, and it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So, let’s dive into the recipe and get started in the kitchen!
Ingredients Needed for Palak Paneer
Palak Paneer dish is a delicious and nutritious Indian recipe made of spinach and paneer (Indian cheese). If you want to prepare this dish at home, you need to have the following ingredients:
1. Spinach
The major ingredient for Palak Paneer recipe is spinach. You will require approximately two to three medium-size bunches of fresh spinach, which is around 250-300 grams. Fresh spinach is an essential ingredient that gives the dish its distinctive flavor and color. You can also use frozen spinach if you only have access to that. But ensure to thaw it completely before cooking.
2. Paneer
The second most crucial ingredient for Palak Paneer is paneer, which is unaged, non-melting Indian cheese. You will need about 200-250 grams of paneer for this recipe. You may buy it from any Indian grocery or make it at home with milk and lemon juice.
3. Oil and Ghee
Two types of fats are recommended to cook this dish, namely oil and ghee. In most cases, the ratio of ghee:oill is often 2:1. Ghee is preferred for its distinctive taste and aroma, whereas oil helps prevent the ghee from burning.
4. Spices
The following spices are needed to make Palak Paneer: cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, coriander powder, and asafoetida.
5. Onion and Tomato
You will also require onion and tomato. Onion adds a touch of sweetness, while tomato performs as a souring agent.
6. Ginger and Garlic
Ginger and garlic both are essential to add flavor to this dish. You may use freshly grated ginger and minced garlic or their paste.
7. Cream
Cream adds richness to the dish and is optional for health-conscious people. You may use heavy cream, cashew paste, or coconut cream instead.
8. Salt and Sugar
Salt and sugar are essential to this dish. The salt enhances the taste, while sugar helps balance the sourness of tomato.
9. Water
Water is needed to blanch spinach initially to cook it and to adjust the consistency of the Palak Paneer gravy.
10. Lemon juice
Lemon juice is an optional ingredient that you can add to balance the flavors.
Ingredients Needed to Make Palak Paneer
Palak paneer is a popular vegetarian dish that is enjoyed by many people around the world. This dish is made with spinach (palak) and paneer, a type of Indian cheese. It has a mild, creamy flavor and is often accompanied by rice or naan. If you want to make palak paneer at home, the following are some essential ingredients you will need:
1. Spinach: Fresh spinach is the key ingredient in palak paneer. You will need at least two bunches of spinach for this recipe.
2. Paneer: Paneer is a type of Indian cheese that is used in many Indian dishes. You will need approximately 200 grams of paneer.
3. Onion: One medium-sized onion is necessary to add some sweetness to the dish.
4. Garlic: Garlic adds a unique taste and aroma to the dish. You will need 4-5 cloves of garlic.
5. Ginger: Ginger is another essential ingredient that adds flavor and aroma.
6. Tomatoes: Tomatoes add a tangy flavor to the dish. You will need two medium-sized tomatoes.
7. Spices: You will need spices like cumin (jeera), coriander powder (dhania powder), garam masala, turmeric (haldi), red chili powder (lal mirch), and salt.
8. Oil: Make sure to use oil that has a high smoking point like vegetable oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil.
9. Cream or milk: To make the dish creamy, you can add cream or milk. You will need approximately 1/4 cup.
10. Lemon juice: Lemon juice not only adds tanginess to the dish, but it also helps in brightening the color of the spinach.
Now that you have all the necessary ingredients, it’s time to start cooking!
Ingredients Needed
Making palak paneer is a relatively simple process, and it is easy to achieve a delicious and nutritious dish with the right ingredients. Below are some of the ingredients you’ll need.
Ingredients | Quantity |
---|---|
Paneer cubes | 250 g |
Palak (spinach) | 4-5 bunches |
Tomatoes | 2 medium-sized |
Ginger | 1-inch piece |
Garlic | 4-5 cloves |
Green chillies | 2-3 |
Onion | 1 medium-sized |
Cumin seeds | 1 tsp |
Coriander powder | 1 tsp |
Garam masala | 1 tsp |
Turmeric powder | 1/2 tsp |
Salt | To taste |
Oil or ghee | 2 tbsp |
Steps to Prepare Palak Paneer
Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s take a look at the steps involved in making palak paneer.
Step 1: Blanch the spinach
Start by washing the spinach thoroughly, removing any dirt or impurities. Boil some water in a large pot and add the spinach leaves. Boil for 2-3 minutes until the spinach leaves are wilted. Remove the spinach from the pot and rinse with cold water to stop further cooking. Squeeze the excess water from the spinach and set it aside.
Step 2: Prepare the masala base
Heat some oil or ghee in a pan and add cumin seeds. Once they begin to crackle, add chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown. Next, add chopped ginger and garlic and fry for a minute. Add chopped tomatoes and green chillies. Mix well and sauté until the tomatoes are cooked and mushy.
Step 3: Season the masala base
Add the spice powders including coriander powder, garam masala, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix well and fry for a minute or two until the spices are well combined and the aroma emerges from the pan.
Step 4: Add the paneer cubes
Cut the paneer into cubes and add to the masala base. Fry for 2-3 minutes until the paneer cubes are slightly browned.
Step 5: Add the spinach and finish cooking
Add the blanched spinach to the paneer and masala base. Mix well and simmer for 5-7 minutes until the spinach is cooked and well combined with the other ingredients. If the consistency is too thick, you can add some water or cream to thin it out.
Conclusion
There you have it, a delicious and nutritious dish of palak paneer to enjoy with family and friends. You can serve the dish with rice or any Indian bread like naan or roti. The dish is rich with antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients from spinach and paneer. We hope you enjoy making and eating this dish as much as we did!
Enjoy Your Homemade Palak Paneer!
Thanks for reading this guide on how to make your very own palak paneer from scratch! We hope that you found this article helpful and informative. Now it’s time to get cooking! Remember, don’t forget to add your own unique twist to the recipe to make it truly yours. We would love to hear about your experience making your palak paneer, so feel free to leave a comment below. Don’t forget to come back for more exciting cooking tips and recipes in the future! Happy cooking!
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