Bachelor’s Guide to Palak Paneer: Easy One-Pot Recipe
Introduction
Craving a delicious, healthy Indian dish without the fuss? Look no further! This Bachelor Style Palak Paneer recipe is perfect for anyone with a busy lifestyle. With minimal ingredients and just one pot, you’ll have a nutritious meal in no time.
Palak Paneer
Ingredients for Palak Paneer
- 250 grams of paneer (cubed)
- 2 bunches of fresh spinach (palak)
- 2 tablespoons of oil
- 1 onion (finely chopped)
- 2 tomatoes (pureed)
- 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
Preparation Steps
1. Blanch the Spinach
Start by blanching the spinach. Boil water in a pot, add the spinach, and cook for 2 minutes. Immediately transfer the spinach to ice-cold water. This helps retain the vibrant green color. Once cooled, blend the spinach into a smooth paste.
2. Sauté the Aromatics
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Next, add the finely chopped onion and sauté until golden brown. Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook until the raw smell disappears.
3. Cook the Tomatoes
Add the tomato puree to the pan. Cook until the oil starts to separate from the mixture. This step ensures the tomatoes are well-cooked and enhances the flavor.
4. Add the Spices
Sprinkle in turmeric powder, salt, and garam masala. Mix well and let the spices cook for a minute. This blend of spices adds depth to the dish, making it rich and flavorful.
5. Combine Spinach and Paneer
Pour the spinach paste into the pan and mix thoroughly. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to absorb all the flavors. Add the paneer cubes and cook for another 5 minutes, ensuring the paneer is well-coated with the spinach gravy.
Tips and Tricks
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh spinach and paneer enhance the dish’s taste and texture.
- Adjust the Consistency: If the gravy is too thick, add a splash of water or milk to achieve the desired consistency.
- Paneer Softness: To keep the paneer soft, soak the cubes in warm water for 10 minutes before adding them to the dish.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Palak Paneer hot with roti, naan, or steamed rice. Garnish with a dollop of cream or a sprinkle of fresh cream for extra richness.
Conclusion
This easy Palak Paneer recipe is perfect for bachelors or anyone looking for a quick, healthy meal. With its minimal ingredients and one-pot preparation, it’s a hassle-free way to enjoy a classic Indian dish. Enjoy cooking and relish the flavors of this nutritious delight!
Bachelor’s Guide to Palak Paneer: Easy One-Pot Recipe
Equipment
- 1 pot
Ingredients
- 250 grams paneer cubed
- 2 Bunch fresh spinach (palak greens) rinsed thoroughly (do not cut it)
- 1 Bunch coriander leaves (cilantro) Clean the roots
- 1/2 Bunch part fresh mint leaves clean the leaves
- 2-3 nos green chilies slit
- 2 tablespoons of oil groundnut or sunflower
- 1 onion (medium sized) finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes (medium sized) pureed
- 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon table salt adjust to taste
Instructions
Blanch the Greens
- Start by blanching the greens. Boil water in a pot, add the spinach, coriander, mint, and green chilies, and cook for 2 minutes. Immediately transfer the mixture to ice-cold water. This helps retain the vibrant green color. Once cooled, blend into a smooth paste.
Sauté the Aromatics
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Next, add the finely chopped onion and sauté until golden brown. Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook until the raw smell disappears.
Cook the Tomatoes
- Add the tomato puree to the pan. Cook until the oil starts to separate from the mixture. This step ensures the tomatoes are well-cooked and enhances the flavor.
Add the Spices
- Sprinkle in turmeric powder, table salt, and garam masala. Mix well and let the spices cook for a minute. This blend of spices adds depth to the dish, making it rich and flavorful.
Combine Greens and Paneer
- Pour the blended greens paste into the pan and mix thoroughly. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to absorb all the flavors. Add the paneer cubes and cook for another 5 minutes, ensuring the paneer is well-coated with the green gravy.
Tips and Tricks
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh greens and paneer enhance the dish’s taste and texture.
- Adjust the Consistency: If the gravy is too thick, add a splash of water or milk to achieve the desired consistency.
- Paneer Softness: To keep the paneer soft, soak the cubes in warm water for 10 minutes before adding them to the dish.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve your Palak Paneer hot with roti, naan, or steamed rice. Garnish with a dollop of cream or a sprinkle of fresh cream for extra richness.