Palak paneer — the Indian dish with spinach and paneer cheese in an aromatic sauce

Palak paneer is the classic dish of northern India that has conquered kitchens around the world: spinach leaves blended into a creamy sauce with aromatic spices, studded with lightly fried cubes of paneer cheese. Rich in flavor, full of color and completely vegetarian — ideal for a different family dinner.

Ingredients (for 4 people)

• 500 g fresh spinach
• 250 g paneer cheese (or firm white cheese as a substitute)
• 2 medium onions
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 piece of fresh ginger (about 2 cm)
• 2 medium tomatoes or 150 ml tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee butter
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 fresh chili pepper (to taste)
• 100 ml cooking cream or yogurt
• Salt to taste

Preparation steps

1. Wash the spinach and boil for 2–3 minutes in salted boiling water. Drain and cool immediately in ice water to preserve the intense green color.
2. Blend the cooled spinach in a blender until smooth.
3. Cut the paneer into cubes and fry lightly in a pan with a little oil until golden. Set aside.
4. In the same pan, sauté the finely chopped onion with the cumin until soft. Add the garlic, ginger and chili pepper.
5. Add the coriander, turmeric and tomatoes; cook for 5–6 minutes until the sauce thickens.
6. Add the spinach puree and garam masala; let simmer gently for 8–10 minutes.
7. Add the paneer cubes and cream; stir gently and cook for another 3–4 minutes. Adjust salt to taste.
8. Serve warm with basmati rice or naan bread.

Time: 20 minutes prep, 25 minutes cooking. Servings: 4 people.