This Palak Paneer Recipe is a flavorful concoction of Indian spices with spinach and paneer cheese.
Did you know that to make a Vegetarian Palak Paneer is actually quite easy?
I have put together a delicious recipe with useful how-to instructions to make palak paneer from scratch at home.
You will succeed even if you have never cooked Indian food before!
You might remember that I had mentioned in the past my troubles and discoveries with Indian food.
The spices, the unfamiliar flavors and curry gravy dishes, such as in this palak paneer recipe, were nothing what I had seen in my many years in Europe.
Yet, over time I fell in love with certain dishes and these days I am regularly cooking and enjoying Indian food at home, which of course pleases my husband.
Another reason, besides the spicy food, why I hadn’t dug into Indian food right away, were the unfamiliar foreign dish names.
You see, I am not the kind of person who goes through each dish asking the waiter what on earth alu gobi or cafreal is.
The waiters in India will only shake their heads without much explanation anyway.
Indian Restaurant menu cards are full of dishes in their local names, and they are not always translated to English!
One fine day I was sitting in a beach shack in Goa looking at the wonderful beach and sunset when I decided to be bold.
I ordered a so called Palak Paneer without asking what it was.
It was green and had some white chunks swimming in the gravy.
I took a spoon full and tried a bite.
Honestly, I had no clue what I was eating and I really couldn’t make out what the cook had thrown into it.
It wasn’t spicy as such, just a bit tickling, and the dish was addictively delicious!
You won’t believe me but I finished it all with a few chapatis.
The waiter came and I couldn’t wait anymore and had to ask what wonderful dish I had just eaten.
To my surprise, it was an Indian spinach dish with Indian cottage cheese aka Palak Paneer.
Palak stands for spinach and Paneer for the tasteless simple cottage cheese which soaks up curry flavors like a sponge.
So, I asked the waiter if the kitchen chef was willing to share his recipe.
They must have thought I wasn’t serious anyway and passed me their palak paneer recipe written on a small piece of tissue paper.
Eventually, over the years, the palak paneer turned into something like a staple in our life as I tweaked and adjusted the recipe to our liking.
That is because this palak paneer recipe is not only healthy and nutritious but also rich in flavor and filling at the same time.
If you like Indian food or curry dishes like saag paneer or butter chicken, then you will most probably enjoy this Indian spinach recipe as well.
Dishes like the Palak Paneer Recipe 🥘
- Mater Paneer – Green Peas and Paneer
- Amaranth (Red Spinach) stir fry
- Goan Masoor Dal – Lentil curry
Dear Reader, can you remember the first time when you had palak paneer? Where was it?
Please let us know in the comments further below.
Note: The Post, Palak Paneer Recipe, was first published on the 1st November 2013 and has been enhanced and updated ever since.
Palak Paneer Recipe
Ingredients
- 8.8 ounces Spinach
- 1 Green Chili fresh
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1 small Onion chopped
- 1-2 Tablespoon Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic chopped
- 1 Teaspoon Cumin Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Coriander Seed Powder
- pinch Cinnamon powder
- 1/2 Tablespoon Garam Masala
- 1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 2 Tablespoon Cream
- few drops Green Food Coloring optional
- Salt to taste
- Black Pepper to taste
- 7 ounces Paneer aka Indian Cottage Cheese, *see Notes
Instructions
- Wash your Spinach leaves well.
- Blanch the Spinach in some boiling water for 30 seconds and then add them to a blender jar with green chili (stem removed, keep the seeds) and water. Blend the whole content well so that no pieces are left, it should be smooth. Keep aside.
- Heat up a pan with the oil and fry your chopped onion translucent for a few minutes stirring frequently. Add the garlic and stir cook for another minute, then throw in the cumin powder, coriander powder, cinnamon powder, garam masala and cayenne powder. Stir fry for another minute.
- Continue to add in the tomato paste and stir fry quickly, then take down the heat
- Pour in the smooth spinach mass and mix everything well.
- Continue to add the liquid cream and at this point, you can even add a few drops of green food coloring (Restaurant style with green coloring). Season with salt and pepper and let it cook for 10 minutes on a medium to slow heat. If you feel the whole mixture is getting too thick after 5 minutes cooking, then add a little bit water.
- At the end add in the bite-size paneer cubes and mix the whole content. Cook for another 3-5 minutes. Once the paneer is in, try to not stir too much anymore. The Paneer may break into little bits (that happens mostly with frozen paneer) and you want the cubes to be whole.
- Serve hot with roti or basmati rice.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen Paneer.
neha says
It was really interesting to both know about your love for Indian food and also your experience at Indian restaurants. Being an Indian, I never really paid attention to the lack of description of the dishes on menu, but you brought my attention to it. And now I remember seeing the description in only a few fine dine top notch restaurants that I have visited. Being a vegetarian from India, both Palak and Paneer are my favorite. Can’t remember when I had my palak paneer for the first time. But I cook it almost weekly, since my daughter likes it so much. Let me tell you about my own secret recipe – I have started using Palak Paneer as a filler for my sandwiches at times, combined with a small tea spoon of grated cheese and my little one absolutely loves it. Try it out.
Helene Dsouza says
That’s an excellent idea to use palak paneer as a filler! I can see why this would make a great afternoon snack idea. I often have hunger pangs in at that time and I am not so into sweets so this could be possibly a great little savory treat. Thank you for sharing your perspective Neha, we appreciate it. 🙂
Simi says
Palak paneer is one of my favorites. Addition of cinnamon is a new thing for me. Nice one . Should try this out next time.
Julia says
Ooo, this looks tasty. Love the color and flavor combo!
Lisa says
Confession – I’ve never eaten (or made) paneer but I love spinach and spice, so I’d like to try this.
Calleigh @TheForkBite says
I have an Indian friend who made this dish, and it was a hit. I can’t wait to try this at home on weekends.
Dannii says
This is one of my favourite curries. It’s such a lovely colour and so full of goodness.
Amy | The Cook Report says
I love cooking Indian dishes, this one looks delicious!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Your Palak paneer looks amazing! My friend make a killer one too (which I get to enjoy once in a while). Looks really delicious, Helene!
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
Beetroot and spinach smoothies. Actually I have 3 paneers in the freezer at the moment and a whole garden full of swiss chard……..
Eva Taylor says
What perfect timing Helene, in a couple of weeks I’m hosting an Indian dinner party and we have decided to make this exact dish. I was searching the web for a tried and true recipe but your accolades have convinced me that this one is it! We will serve it with my version of butter chicken (not so bad for you) so the red and the green will be a perfect colour combo for Christmas! I shall bookmark this recipe for sure.
Manju @ Manju'sEatingDelights says
Hi Helene,
I have seen you several times on fb when you share comments on Aparna’s fb status etc….Never knew you had a blog though…What a lovely space you have here and speaking of Goa, it was one of my fav tourist spots when we went for our college tour several years ago. Nice to know of your beautiful blog and hope to keep in touch.
Cheers,
Manju
Asmita says
Hi Helene,
This is one of my favorite dish and you have done full justice to it. Simply divine!
Ramona says
Looks healthy and delicious. My hubby is American and he had a period of adjustment to all the curry we eat. Now he loves it. 🙂
mjskit says
I’m with Maureen – I need to cook more Indian food! We always go out for Indian food and one of the dish we order is Palak Paneer. We both love it and I should make it at home. Thanks for sharing your story and your recipe!
Helene Dsouza says
Oh sure i think so you will have fun cooking more Indian food at home MJ. =)
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Palak paneer is my favorite indian comfort foods. Delicious spreads, my friend 🙂
Helene Dsouza says
It is an addictive veg dish, isn’t it? 😉
Lizzy (Good Things) says
Helen, this does sound lovely!
Helene Dsouza says
Thank you Lizzy =)
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
I need to cook more indian food, while learning about it. I do love spinach, and this looks truly amazing Helene! (ps: pinterest doesn’t let me grab you pictures)
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I have ordered from a menu where I had to point because I had no idea what it was or how to pronounce it. Once I got something that was horrid but mostly I’m pleased. I’d have loved this because I’m a spinach lover. 🙂
john@kitchenriffs says
Great dish! I’ve had this often in restaurants, but never made it. I definitely need to someday – maybe in the spring when I have fresh Swiss chard again (which I’ve heard is close to Indian spinach than US spinach is; I have no idea whether that’s actually correct). Anyway, fun read, excellent recipe. Thanks.
Janie says
Helene, that looks absolutely gorgeous. I LOVE spinach, and we grow loads of it here. Thanks for the recipe!
Janie x
Ash-foodfashionparty says
Diwali must be awesome where you live my dear. Enjoy all the sounds.
A lovely green curry, one of my favorite vegetarian dish.
I hear ya, India is changing everyday. Bangalore, was called the garden city and now, yes it is still beautiful in it’s own way, but my ghossh it has changed.
I miss Goa, can’t wait to come over sometime.
Soni says
Oooh one of the most demanded dishes by my kids :)Love the color on your recipe and its pretty much the same way I make!Love it any day and you’re right, it can change the spinach haters into spinach lovers 🙂 Have a great weekend girlie!
sowmya says
Looks delicious.. I love this curry !!
Rosa says
Scrumptious and comforting!
Cheers,
Rosa