Spinach and Cottage Cheese Delight (Palak Paneer)
Indulge in the rich and creamy flavors of Spinach and Cottage Cheese Delight, a delightful variation on the classic Palak Paneer. This dish features tender cottage cheese cubes nestled in a velvety spinach gravy, spiced to perfection with aromatic cumin, ginger, and garam masala. Perfectly balanced with the warmth of green chilies and the richness of heavy cream, this dish is not only satisfying but also offers a nutritious option for those looking to enjoy a hearty meal. Serve it with your favorite flatbreads or steamed rice for a wholesome and comforting dining experience.
N/A
Servings
225
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cottage Cheese
9 ounces (Cut into cubes.)
Baby Spinach
8 ounces (Stems removed and blanched.)
Butter
1.5-2 tablespoons (Melted.)
Cumin Seeds
1 teaspoon (Whole.)
Onions
2 (Finely chopped.)
Green Chili Peppers
2 (Finely chopped.)
Ginger-Garlic Paste
1 teaspoon (Prepared.)
Red Chili Powder
1 teaspoon (Ground.)
Coriander Powder
1 tablespoon (Ground.)
Tomatoes
2 (Blended into a paste.)
Water
1 cup (Reserved from spinach blanching.)
Salt
1 tablespoon (To taste.)
Garam Masala Powder
1/2 teaspoon (A blend of 2 cloves, 1 cardamom, and 1 cinnamon stick.)
Heavy Cream
1 tablespoon (To enrich the gravy.)
Cilantro
To taste (Chopped for garnish.)
Instructions
1
Begin by removing the stems from the spinach and blanching the leaves in boiling water for about 2-3 minutes until wilted. Drain and immediately transfer the spinach to ice water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, blend the spinach into a smooth paste and set aside.
2
In a heavy-bottomed pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and allow them to splutter and release their aroma.
3
Finely chop the onions and green chilies and add them to the pan. Sauté until the onions turn golden brown, ensuring they do not burn.
4
In a separate skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil and lightly fry the cottage cheese cubes until they are golden brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.
5
Once the onions are ready, add the ginger-garlic paste to the pan and sauté for an additional 3 minutes until fragrant.
6
Stir in the red chili powder and coriander powder, combining well with the onion mixture.
7
Blend the tomatoes into a smooth paste and add it to the pan. Cook for 5-6 minutes over medium heat until the oil separates from the mixture.
8
Add the prepared spinach paste to the tomato mixture, allowing it to cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
9
Gently fold in the fried cottage cheese cubes. Cover the pan and cook on low heat for 3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
10
Pour in the reserved spinach water and add salt, letting the mixture simmer on medium heat for 10-12 minutes.
11
Stir in the heavy cream, garam masala powder, and freshly chopped cilantro. Mix well to combine.
12
Reduce the heat, cover the pan, and let it cook for an additional 2 minutes for the flavors to deepen.
13
Serve hot with your choice of flatbreads or fragrant white rice for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
15g
Carbs
12.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spinach and Cottage Cheese Delight?
It is a rich and creamy Indian-inspired dish, commonly known as Palak Paneer, featuring cottage cheese cubes in a spiced spinach gravy.
What are the primary ingredients for this recipe?
The main ingredients include baby spinach, cottage cheese (paneer), butter, onions, tomatoes, and aromatic spices like cumin and garam masala.
How many calories are in a serving of this dish?
Each serving contains approximately 225 calories.
Is this Palak Paneer recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this dish is completely vegetarian.
How do I prepare the spinach for the gravy?
Blanch the spinach leaves in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then immediately transfer them to ice water before blending into a smooth paste.
Why should I put the blanched spinach in ice water?
Placing the spinach in ice water stops the cooking process immediately and helps maintain its vibrant green color.
How much protein does this dish provide?
This recipe contains 12.5g of protein per serving.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
There are 15g of fat per serving in this dish.
How many carbohydrates are in the Spinach and Cottage Cheese Delight?
There are 15g of carbohydrates per serving.
How do I prepare the cottage cheese cubes?
Lightly fry the cottage cheese cubes in a tablespoon of oil until they are golden brown on all sides.
What spices are used to flavor the gravy?
The gravy is flavored with cumin seeds, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala.
What is in the garam masala powder used here?
In this recipe, the garam masala is a blend of 2 cloves, 1 cardamom, and 1 cinnamon stick.
How long should the tomato paste cook?
Cook the blended tomatoes for 5-6 minutes until the oil begins to separate from the mixture.
What can I serve with Palak Paneer?
It is best served with flatbreads like naan or roti, or with fragrant steamed white rice.
Is heavy cream necessary for this recipe?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of heavy cream to enrich the gravy and provide a velvety texture.
How many onions are needed?
You will need 2 onions, finely chopped.
Can I use the water from blanching the spinach?
Yes, the recipe suggests reserving 1 cup of the spinach water to add back into the gravy during simmering.
How long does the final simmering process take?
The mixture should simmer on medium heat for 10-12 minutes after adding the spinach water and salt.
What is the purpose of the cumin seeds?
Cumin seeds are added to melted butter to splutter and release their aromatic flavor into the base of the dish.
How many green chilies are included?
The recipe calls for 2 green chili peppers, finely chopped.
What garnish is recommended for this dish?
Freshly chopped cilantro is recommended as a garnish.
How much salt should I add?
The recipe suggests 1 tablespoon of salt, or you can adjust to your personal taste.
What type of spinach is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies using 8 ounces of baby spinach with the stems removed.
How much ginger-garlic paste is required?
You will need 1 teaspoon of ginger-garlic paste.
How do I know when the onions are ready?
Sauté the onions until they turn golden brown, being careful not to let them burn.
Does this recipe include coriander?
Yes, it uses 1 tablespoon of ground coriander powder and fresh cilantro for garnish.
How long do I cook the cottage cheese in the spinach?
Once folded in, cover and cook on low heat for 3 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Is this a quick meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a 'quick meal' suitable for a wholesome dining experience.
Can I use butter or oil?
The recipe uses butter for the main sauté and oil for frying the cottage cheese cubes.
What is the overall flavor profile?
It is a rich, creamy, and aromatic dish with a balanced warmth from green chilies and traditional Indian spices.