Authentic Saag Paneer

Saag paneer is a classic Indian dish of cooked spinach studded with cubes of fried paneer cheese for a hearty, flavorful, and filling vegetarian meal.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 299 Calories

Ingredients

• salt to taste
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 3 tablespoons canola oil, divided
• 2 bunches spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 bunch fenugreek leaves, roughly chopped
• 0.5 cup heavy whipping cream
• 0.5 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 0.5 pound paneer, cubed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil; add spinach and fenugreek and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Drain well; transfer to a food processor and blend until finely chopped, about 5 pulses.

Step 2

Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add paneer cubes and fry until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer paneer onto a plate.

Step 3

Heat remaining 2 tablespoons canola oil in the same skillet over medium heat; add cumin seeds and fry until lightly toasted and aromatic, about 3 minutes. Add onion; cook and stir until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger and stir to coat. Stir in tomato, garam masala, turmeric, and cayenne pepper; cook until tomato breaks down, stirring often, about 10 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in pureed spinach mixture, paneer cubes, and cream; add salt to taste. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.