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September 6, 2012

Palak Paneer Recipe – How To Make Palak Paneer In Punjabi Restaurant Style

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Palak paneer


Recently I came across this Punjabi Restaurant style palak paneer recipe from HERE.  I have already tried Sindhi style palak paneer long back. As my husband doesn’t like paneer I don’t buy it often. I make paneer gravies very very rarely.  Even if I want to try, I first browse for some recipes which are close to restaurant taste. I can make him eat by telling “Its restaurant style “.  I tried PBM which was also a restaurant style recipe. 

Recently when I was browsing for punjabi restaurant style palak paneer recipe, I got this one. By seeing the comment section, I prepared this dish very confidently.

Yes, this recipe is “Truly a restaurant style recipe in 10 mins..”. My husband loved it.  Me too.
Please do not attempt this recipe without kasoori methi and garam masala. They are the star ingredients. As soon as I added kasoori methi and garam masala powder , the aroma that wafted through my house was awesome. I still remember that smell. I din't have fresh cream in my hand. So I used boiled milk with its skin which was also good in taste. Do try with fresh cream for your guests. They will be amazed!!

INGREDIENTS

  • Spinach/Palak leaves – 2 bunches (medium sized)
  • Vegetable oil /Cooking oil  or butter - 2 tbsp
  • Cumin seeds /jeera -  1 tsp
  • Ginger, crushed – 1 inch piece ( I used G&G paste – 1 tsp)
  • Garlic, crushed – 6 cloves
  • Big onion ( finely chopped) –  1 
  • Finely Chopped tomatoes – 4 nos ( I used very small tomatoes, if big use 2)
  • Paneer, cubed (Indian cottage cheese) – 100 gms / 1 cup
  • Dried fenugreek leaves (or kasoori methi) – 1 tsp (crush it well before use)
  • Red chilli powder –3/4 - 1 tsp (adjust)
  • Garam masala powder – 1/2 tsp
  • Fresh thickened cream – 1 tbsp or Milk with skin / malai – 1.5 tbsp (less than 1/4 cup)
  • Salt to taste
  • Lemon juice – few drops ( add at the end , before serving)

HOW TO MAKE PALAK PANEER (RESTAURANT STYLE)

  • Remove spinach leaves from stems and wash it well. 
  • Cook in boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes & then refresh in cold water, drain, squeeze out excess water and puree until smooth. Reserve this water and add to gravy. Alternately, you can saute the palak leaves in little oil along with one green chilli and grind to a paste. 
  • ( add a tsp of sugar while it cooks which helps to retain its green color). 
  • Chop tomatoes and onions. 
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  • Heat oil in a heavy pan.  Add cumin seeds, ginger & garlic paste and onions and fry until golden brown.
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  • Add tomatoes, salt and cook until they become soft and mushy.  Add the red chilli powder.   
  • Saute for sometime and then add the spinach puree. 
  • ( Keep the paneer cubes immersed in hot water till use)
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  • Add the paneer cubes.
  • Stir  well and add kasoori methi ( crush it with your hands and add), garam masala powder. Boil for few mins. Add water if necessary. Gravy should be little thick in consistency .
  • Add water accordingly as we are going to add milk skin/ malai in the next step.
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  • Add milk/ malai at the end. Mix well, leave it for a minute and switch off the flame. If you use fresh cream, add it,  mix well and switch off the flame. Add few drops of lemon juice if desired & Serve hot.


palak paneer 1

NOTE
  • Instead of blanching the leaves, you can also try sauteing them with little oil. Add sugar while you saute.
  • I used red chilli powder here. Green chillies can also be used for variation and to get a greener gravy. But in the original recipe it is not mentioned.
  • If you plan to add green chilly, saute it with leaves and then puree it along with the leaves.
  • U can also try adding a pinch of fennel seeds powder while adding kasoori methi to get additional flavour.
  • Boil some water in a bowl, switch off and put the paneer cubes till use. This keeps the paneer soft till end. No need to fry the cubes in oil. Its completely optional.

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35 comments :

Akila said...

Wow it's exactly looks like in restaurant... Superb

chef and her kitchen said...

Nice n delicious palak paneer..love it any day

Reshmi Mahesh said...

Delicious looking palak paneer...Love with few naan...

Chitra said...

Thanks Akila, prathy and reshmi :)

Unknown said...

looks exactly like restaurant... picture perfect..

Sowmya

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Raks said...

Looks so green and creamy. I too make it this same way sometimes :)

Priya Suresh said...

Wish to have this wonderful looking palak paneer with my rotis for my dinner tonite,beautifully done.

Jeyashris Kitchen said...

Looks super yummy and nicely done

Unknown said...

Looks colourful and inviting Dear....

Unknown said...

mmm delicious..

Unknown said...

Delicious palak paneer.. Ongoing event " Party snacks",more detais : http://en-iniyaillam.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/party-snacks-event-announcement.html

Menaga Sathia said...

wonderful recipe,love it very much!!

Vimitha Durai said...

Love the color.. Healthy n yum

Prathima Rao said...

Creamy, vibrant green & delicious!!
Prathima Rao
Prats Corner

Unknown said...

wow.. nice..great clicks..

Indian Khana said...

Looks yum n perfect ..nice green color ....reminds me I haven't made it for long now

Divya A said...

Such a nice color and creamy recipe..Love palak paneer with rotis :)

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lubnakarim06 said...

One of my favorites....looks creamy and delectable...

Valarmathi Sanjeev said...

love this, my fav...looks superb and delicious....pics are getting better, keep it up :)

Chitra said...

Thanks all. Thanks so much valar for ur suggestions n help :)

Swathi said...

Delicious palak paneer, I make some time.

radha said...

Looks creamy and rich. And you know it would have tasted good as well.

divya said...

lovely preparation... very delicious n healthy!!

Home Cooked Oriya Food said...

looks so great... love it!

Sangeetha M said...

love this creamy n delicious curry, looks very inviting!!

Unknown said...

Nice One!

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Sanoli Ghosh said...

wonderful recipe, must be delicious.

Shobha said...

Palak paneer has really come out very nice...lovely clicks.

Unknown said...

This looks absolutely like restaurant served, yum and delicious. good step by step clicks!

Jayanthy Kumaran said...

wow...lipsmacking presentation
Tasty Appetite

Shobha Kamath said...

Looks delicious ! Lovely pics too.

padmaja said...

Came here today to enjoy your lovely blog, your blog title attracted me to be honest :-)
Lovely easy recipes..I loved the way you systematically clicked the pics for each step involved.. I love cooking new dishes and take pics of them!

Ritika Shah said...

Tried it today!! It was spectacular!! My husband loved it!! The best palak i've ever had!!! Thank you😃😃

Chitra said...

Thank u so much Ritika Shah :) Ur feedback made my day !

pranita deshpande said...

I love this recipe & you have made it excellent , thanks for your nice efforts.