Saag Paneer
Saag Paneer is a classic Indian vegetarian recipe with greens and Paneer. This dish takes less than an hour to make, and the dish tastes better than it looks. The creamy green mixture is slow-cooked with spices and finished with cream to balance the flavors.
Saag is made with either spinach or other dark greens. We prepare the Saag with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and spices and then add the paneer to it. In Saag Paneer, spinach or other greens are added after chopping it finely, so that it is cooks well and quickly. If using fresh spinach, there is no need to blanch the spinach or grind it.
If using frozen spinach, thaw the spinach and drain the excess water out of it. Then cop the spinach finely to prepare the Saag.
Serrano peppers are optional in this recipe. I have skipped the serrano peppers as I prefer the dish without the extra heat. I have used fresh cream in this recipe to finish the dish. However, if you prefer coconut milk, it works perfectly for this recipe.
What is the difference between Saag Paneer and Palak Paneer?
Saag Paneer can be made with any greens like spinach, turnip greens kale, mustard leaves, or methi leaves. Whereas palak paneer is mainly made from spinach.
Saag Paneer
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
Description
Saag Paneer is a classic Indian vegetarian recipe with greens and Paneer. This dish takes less than an hour to make, and the dish tastes better than it looks. The creamy green mixture is slow-cooked with spices and finished with cream to balance the flavors.
Ingredients
Spinach – 6 cups (finely chopped)
Butter- 2 Tbsp
Oil- 1 Tbsp
Bay Leaves- 3
Cardamom- 3
Cinnamon stick- 2 inch
Onion- 1 1/2 cup (diced)
Ginger Garlic Paste- 2 Tbsp
Tomatoes- 1 1/2 cups (diced)
Salt- to Taste + 1/2 tsp
Turmeric- 1/2 tsp + 1/4 tsp
Chili Powder- 1 tsp + 1/2 tsp
Cumin Powder- 1 tsp
Garam Masala Powder- 1/2 tsp
Coriander Powder- 1 tsp
Heavy Cream- 1/4 cup
Water- 1/4 cup
Oil- 1 1/2 Tbsp
Paneer Cubes- 2 cups
Instructions
1. Take 6 cups of spinach and chop fine.
2. In a pan, take 2 Tbsp of butter and 1 Tbsp of oil.
3. Add three bay leaves, two cardamoms, and a 2-inch cinnamon stick.
4. Add 1 1/2 cup diced onion and saute for 5 minutes or until it is mildly caramelized.
5. Add 2 Tbsp of ginger and garlic paste and saute for an additional minute.
6. Add 1 1 /2 cup of diced tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes or until it is soft and mushy.
7. Now add the finely chopped spinach.
8. Add salt to taste, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp of chili powder, 1 tsp of cumin powder, 1/2 tsp of garam masala powder, and 1 tsp of coriander powder.
9. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes or until the spinach is cooked well.
10. Add 1/4 cup of heavy cream, mix well with the Saag.
11. Add 1/4 cup of water and mix and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes and turn the stove off. Make sure to not cook much after adding the cream.
12. Take 1 1/2 tsp of oil in a pan, and add 2 cups of paneer cubes.
13. Add 1/2 tsp of salt, 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder, and 1/2 tsp of chili powder to the paneer and saute.
14. Add the sauteed paneer to the pan. Mix paneer with the Saag and serve hot with rice or roti!
Notes
A mix of any greens works for this recipe. Some of the greens that work are Kale, Turnip greens, collards, watercress, beet greens, etc.
The heavy cream in this dish is replaceable by coconut milk to make it healthier and lactose-free
There is no need to blanch the spinach. Overcooking the greens can make this dish soggy.
Saag Paneer is good to store in the refrigerator for about two days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Vegetarian Entrees
- Method: Cook
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 143 Kcal
- Sugar: 2.93 g
- Sodium: 319 mg
- Fat: 11.69 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.916 g
- Trans Fat: 0.023 g
- Carbohydrates: 6.74 g
- Fiber: 1.8 g
- Protein: 4.1 g
- Cholesterol: 13 mg
Keywords: saag paneer, spinach paneer, palak paneer, easy paneer recipe, easy palak recipe, paneer dish, indian vegetarian dish, saag paneer recipe
