Saag Paneer, a popular vegetarian Indian dish, features spinach (or other leafy greens) simmered with aromatic spices, ginger, garlic and chiles. This comforting vegetarian dish can be served with roti, naan or rice.
Packed with nutrients and protein, the dish gets its name from paneer, a fresh, non-melting cheese readily available in Calgary’s South Asian grocery stores and even the local Superstores in Calgary. Learn more about Catherine’s Indian culinary adventures in her story: A Tale of Christmas in India.
Saag Paneer
Servings 6
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp ghee
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder
- 400 g cubed paneer
- 2 Tbsp ghee
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 onion, diced
- 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp ginger, crushed
- 1 serrano chile, diced fine
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 450 g spinach and/or mixed greens (kale, mustard greens, chopped
Instructions
- *Melt 2 Tbsp of ghee in a medium bowl; stir in turmeric and chili powder.
- Add cubed paneer and toss to coat. Allow a few minutes to absorb the flavours, then cook paneer in a large non-stick pan over medium heat, turning often until lightly golden. Remove from pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt 2 Tbsp of ghee over medium heat. Add mustard and cumin seeds. When seeds start to pop, add onion and salt and cook until just starting to turn golden. Add garlic, ginger, and serrano chili and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in garam masala; cook one minute.
- Add spinach and cook until soft, stirring in a splash of water from time to time in order to release flavours from bottom of the pan and to maintain the consistency you like.
- Stir in paneer and cook 2-3 minutes to heat through. Spoon into a bowl and serve with naan.
- *Omit this step if you are in the mood for a milder, creamier flavour. Simply add paneer to the cooked spinach at the end and heat through.
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