South Indian Style Palak Paneer Recipe By Masterchefmom | Gluten Free Recipe| Masterchefmom's Fusion Recipe

Hi Supermoms,

"Palak Paneer" is a super popular side dish that is served along with Indian flat breads. It is quite popular at home too. I make different versions of Palak Paneer , I have shared two recipes with you already. I also make the Palak Bhutta/Palak Makai , Palak Channa which again are a super delicious recipes. A must try if you haven't tried already. 

I try and include 'Palak' or the Spinach greens at least twice or thrice in my weekly menu. While serving it for lunch along with rice, I make a simple Palak Pappu/Dal, Kootu or Pachadi. Recently, I have started combining the South Indian way of cooking spinach and the North Indian way of adding cottage cheese so that both my better half and children are happy 😀. Traditionally, we do not use cottage cheese with spinach in a South Indian lunch platter. But, as my children love paneer, I wanted to try it.

I also wanted to make this side dish to be fuss free and super quick to make. I have not compromised on the taste but you will be amazed by the simplicity of this dish. The flavours are so good and pairs perfectly with rice. They can be served along with flatbreads too. It would bring so much variety to the platter.

This dish can be made within 15 minutes from start to finish . Healthy, tasty and wholesome. Do try and share your family feedback.

There are a few tips that I would like to share that would make this side dish even more tasty.

1. Chop the spinach finely.

2. Mash it lightly with a hand whisk. You can grind half of the spinach if you like.

3. You can add boiled and cubed potatoes or tofu instead of paneer. 

Now, let's start cooking !

South Indian Style Palak Paneer Recipe :

Preparation time : 5 minutes

Cooking time : 10-12 minutes

Serves : 2-3

1 cup = 250 ml cup

Ingredients :

1 small bunch spinach ( approx.250 gm)( finely chopped)

100 gm paneer or tofu(cubed, room temperature)

1 teaspoon rice flour ( optional)

salt to taste

To temper:

1 tablespoon ghee /clarified butter 

1 green chilli

1/4" ginger

1-2 small garlic cloves

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds/saunf

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds/jeera

Method :

1. Add the finely chopped spinach leaves to a kadai/pan or vessel and add salt.

2. Add 1/4 cup of water to the spinach, cover and cook for 10 minutes over low flame or till the spinach is well cooked.

3. Using a hand whisk, mash the spinach.

Chef tip : If the spinach leaves more water, add rice flour to 1 tablespoon water, mix and add it to the spinach for a creamy texture.

4. Now add the cubed paneer or tofu . 

5. While the paneer is simmering along with spinach, add green chilli, garlic, ginger, fennel seeds and cumin seeds to a mortar and crush it coarsely with the pestle. 

6. Heat a small pan or large iron ladle with ghee and add all the coarsely crushed ingredients. 

7. Once they are lightly fried, pour the mixture into the spinach paneer curry and mix well.

Your delicious South Indian Style Palak Paneer is now ready to be served. So simple but so yum!

Have you tried my Masiyal Kofta Curry ?

Happy Cooking!

With love,

Masterchefmom