Palak Paneer / Creamy Palak Paneer/ Lasooni Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer, is a very healthy and nutritious Paneer and Spinach dish that brings to you the goodness of Punjabi Dhaba meal. The balanced flavors, the splendid smooth spinach gravy, the soft Paneer cubes, roasted Garlic, everything about this dish is absolutely tempting!! The combination of Paneer and Palak is delicious as well as nutritious. Some make it with fried Paneer cubes, some like it with fresh, soft paneer cubes. I have tried both and both are great with distinctive flavors and appeal. Of all the recipes  I have tried, I like this one the best; which gives the lush green color and amazing garlicky flavors. You can try adding Chili powder and adjust the green chilies, but it will not give you the bright green color. In this recipe I have added fresh paneer cubes/ If you like it fried, just fry them in butter and add. Since I get fresh Palak from my home garden and Paneer is easily available, this is a very regular dish at home.

Rich in nutrients, iron, anti-oxidants and calcium, Lasooni Palak Paneer is a great healthy choice for family meal. It is hard to make kids eat Spinach but with delicious Lasooni Palak Paneer and their favorite Butter Naan or Paneer Kulcha, there is no need to force them. The nutritious greens make their way to their plate and stomach without any fuss!!  Lasoon means Garlic, and this special Lasooni Palak Paneer is more appealing with roasted Garlic in it. It is best served with Indian breads like Butter Naan, Rotis, Lachha Paratha, Pulao or Jeera rice. Like Paneer Butter Masala, Paneer Korma, Chili Paneer or Paneer Matar, this is another favourite Paneer dish at home. Hope you will try this recipe and enjoy a scrumptious Punjabi meal.

Time: 25 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

Palak: 2 bunch
Paneer: 200 gms 
Water: as required
Onion: 2 nos.
Bay leaf:1
Cumin (whole)/ Jeera: 1 tsp
Garlic chopped: 1 ½ tbsp
Green Chili: 2-3 nos
Ginger Garlic Paste: 1 tsp
Coriander Powder: 1 ½ tsp
Turmeric Powder: a pinch
Garam Masala: ½ tsp
Curd: 2 tbsp
Kasuri Methi: 1 tsp
Lemon Juice (optional): 1 tsp
Fresh cream / Cheese: 2 tbsp
Chat Masala: to sprinkle before serving
Oil and Ghee and butter: as required

Method:

Wash and clean the Palak leaves and soak in water for 10 minutes with little salt. Drain. Boil half glass water in a wide vessel and add enough salt.  Put the washed Palak in this water and cook for a minute on low flame, gently turning with a spoon, till all the leaves are limp. Drain and put the leaves in cold water to keep the green color intact. Keep this aside. Cut the Paneer into cubes and soak in very hot water and keep covered for 10 minutes to make it soft.

Palak Paneer Palak Paneer

Heat oil and ghee in a pan and add Bay leaf, sliced onions and slit green chilies. Sauté till limp and add ginger garlic paste. Fry for some time and add Coriander Powder, a pinch of turmeric , Jeerah/ cumin Powder and Garam Masala powder. Fry for few minutes and add Kasoori methi. You can add 1 tsp or little more for great flavours. Allow to cool.

Palak Paneer Palak Paneer

Meanwhile, roast the chopped Garlic in some butter and keep aside. In a blender, grind the onion mix with curd and little water to make a smooth paste. Puree the Palak and add this also to the gravy and combine well adding enough water. Adjust the salt, squeeze half a lemon and bring to a boil. Add the Paneer cubes and mix well.

Palak PaneerPalak Paneer

Cover and cook on low flame for two – four minutes. Add little cream and half of the roasted garlic and mix. Turn off the heat and transfer to a serving plate. Decorate with cream, Roasted Garlic and chat Masala. Serve hot with Naan, Paratha or Pita Bread.

Tips:

  • Always use fresh Palak (the thick leafy spinach).
  • You can cut down the green chilies and add Chili powder. The gravy will be slightly brown in color but delicious.
  • Soaking Paneer in hot water for 5 – 10 minutes makes it soft.
  • You can also fry/ Sauté the Paneer pieces in ghee before adding to the gravy.
  • Add a spoonful of ghee/ butter while sautéing the onions for amazing flavors.
  • I add cream only for special occasions, I usually put grated cheese a little.
  • I have used soft Malai Paneer for this recipe.
  • Roasted Garlic gives it an amazing Flavour
  • Serve with Naan, Rotis or rice. I always serve this with Whole wheat Naan.

Please try and let me know if you like this recipe or share with your friends using the share buttons on the side. It will definitely motivate me. God Bless!!

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