Spinach Paneer gravy – Protein rich and Low carb curry

Palak paneer is a famous north Indian side dish. This is not exactly the traditional palak paneer. But a simplified version of it. This gravy is a quick and healthy, low carb, protein rich recipe which is a perfect match for Chappathi / Roti, all kind of roti’s – jowar roti, phulka roti, multi grain roti.

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins
• Serves: 2

Ingredients needed: 

1. Indian Spinach/Palak/ Baby spinach – 2 cups (tightly packed)
2. Paneer – 15 cubes or 1 cup or 200 gms
3. Butter 2 tbsp.
4. Oil – 2 tsp
5. Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
6. Garlic – 5 – 7 pods
7. Small onion / Shallots – 10-15 nos
8. Tomato – 1
9. Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp
10. Red chili powder – 1 tsp
11. Garam masala – 1/2 tsp
12. Salt needed
13. Water as needed

Method:

Step 1:

• Cut the paneer into cubes
• Soak it in Luke warm water
• Keep it aside

Step 2:

• Wash and clean the spinach
• Finely chop it
• Heat a pan with 1 tbsp. butter
• Add spinach and sauté until it shrinks and recued to little volume
• Add water as needed and cook spinach in a medium flame for 5 to 7 minutes, until it cooks even more soft and silky

Step 3

• Chop onion, tomatoes and garlic
• Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds and garlic
• Add onions, tomatoes, salt and turmeric powder. Let it cook soft and gooey
• Now add red chili powder and garam masala. Add little water and cook it for 2 mins
• Add spinach and required water
• Bring it to boil
• Add drained paneer cubes and mix gently
• Cook on medium flame for 5 mins

Low carb and Protein Rich Spinach Paneer gravy is ready!

Note –

• I would prefer to sauté the spinach than boiling. If you boil it, do not over boil it, as it may lose the green color. Also add a pinch of sugar while boiling
• You can also grind the spinach after boiling it in hot water, rather than smashing it as I did.
• Adjust red chili powder as you need. You can also use only green chili without red chili powder. It helps to keep the green color of the gravy.
• Butter gives nice flavor to the spinach and helps spinach to cook very soft
• Don’t forget to immerse the paneer cubes in water until you use it.