Saag Paneer

I was talking bout steak with a friend the other day, which turned into a conversation about side dishes and how sides are freakin’ awesome. I couldn’t get creamed spinach out of my head because, well, steak, frites, creamed spinach… right? Then I saw that Costco had Paneer in stock and so I grabbed that and a massive package of spinach, and boom! One of my absolute faves in no time.

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ lb. paneer cheese
6 tbsp. ghee or canola oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 serrano pepper, stemmed and chopped
6 cups finely chopped spinach
Kosher salt, to taste
6 tbsp. heavy cream
1⁄2 tsp. garam masala
1⁄4 tsp. cayenne
1 one-inch piece of ginger, peeled and chopped
Naan for serving

DIRECTIONS

  • Cut cheese into 1⁄2” x 1″pieces. Heat ghee in a 12″ nonstick skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, add cheese, and fry until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer cheese to a plate and set aside; reserve skillet with ghee.

  • Place garlic, ginger, peppers, and 1⁄4 cup water into blender and purée into a smooth paste. Return skillet with ghee to stove, and heat over medium-high heat.

  • Add ginger-garlic paste, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

  • Add spinach, salt to taste, and cook, stirring often, until spinach wilts, about 1 minute.

  • Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, stirring often, until spinach is very soft, about 15 minutes. Stir in cream, garam masala, and cayenne.

  • Add cheese to skillet, cover, and continue cooking until liquid thickens and spinach is soft, about 15 minutes. Serve with flatbread or rice, if you like.

Side Dish, Side Dishes, Lunch, Vegetarian, DinnerMarie KellyMilford Kitchenpaneer, saag, spinach, indian, indian food, masala, garam masala, garlic, serrano pepper, cheese, spinach and cheese, saag paneer recipe, saag paneerComment