Description
A warm, rich, and filling saag paneer curry that combines creamy texture with fresh greens and gentle spices, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 9 oz (250 g) paneer, cubed
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 4 cups mustard greens, choy sum, or baby kale
- 3/4 cup sliced onion
- 1 to 2 green chilies
- 1/2 inch fresh ginger, grated
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup chopped tomato
- 1/3 cup chopped carrot or baby turnip
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1/8 tsp turmeric (optional)
- 3/4 to 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp sugar (optional)
- 3/4 to 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 1/2 to 2 tbsp ghee or oil, divided
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (or cashew cream)
- 1 tbsp butter or ghee
- 1/8 tsp asafoetida
- 1 to 2 garlic cloves, sliced
- 1 to 2 dried red chilies
- 1/2 to 3/4 tsp Kashmiri chili powder or flakes
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- Roti, naan, or cooked rice for serving
Instructions
- Wash the spinach and other greens several times, then drain them well. If you use kale, remove the stems and blanch it briefly if it tastes bitter.
- Pan-fry the paneer cubes in a little of the ghee until golden on each side. Set them aside, reserving a few cubes for garnish.
- Sauté the onion, green chilies, ginger, and garlic in the remaining ghee for 7 to 8 minutes. Then add the turmeric, coriander powder, and cumin powder.
- Stir in the chopped tomato and yogurt, cover, and cook until the tomato breaks down. Add the carrot or baby turnip and sauté briefly.
- Add the spinach and other greens, cook until wilted, then blend with water into a coarse purée.
- Simmer the purée with salt for 6 to 7 minutes.
- Stir in garam masala, sugar if needed, then add cream and most of the paneer. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Prepare the tadka: warm butter, add sliced garlic, fry until fragrant, then add dried chilies, and finally stir in asafoetida and Kashmiri chili powder. Pour over the saag and top with reserved paneer. Serve with lemon and roti or rice.
Notes
This saag paneer curry works well for weeknight dinners, family meals, and leftovers the next day. Ensure to wash greens thoroughly to avoid grit.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
