Best Creamy Spinach Malai Palak Recipes

SPICED CREAMY SPINACH (PALAK PANEER WITHOUT THE PANEER)

Steps:

• Follow the instructions on the packet of frozen spinach by heating it up in the microwave or cook down fresh spinach in a saucepan just by itself
• Strain spinach water from the cooked down spinach
• Over medium high heat, saute garlic, ginger, chilies and onions in ghee until aromatic
• Lower heat to medium and mix in cumin, coriander, garam masala and yogurt
• Add cooked spinach and simmer for 5 minutes
• Add tomato sauce and mix thoroughly
• Remove from heat and transfer to a blender
• Blend the spinach mixture into a puree
• Dish and serve hot

PALAK PANEER RECIPE

Steps:

• Rinse the palak or spinach leaves very well in running water. Tender stem are fine. If the stems are stringy, then discard the stems.
• Boil 3 cups water in a pan or microwave or electric heater. Add ¼ teaspoon salt to the hot water and stir. When the water comes to a rolling boil, switch off the flame. Add the spinach leaves in the hot water. Let the palak leaves sit in the water for about 1 minute.
• After 1 minute, using a pasta tong, take the leaves.
• Immediately add the palak or spinach leaves in a pan or bowl containing ice cold water. This method helps in preserving the green color of the spinach. Just add 8 to 10 ice cubes to 3 cups water to get cold water. Allow the spinach leaves to be in the cold water for a minute.
• Then drain the ice cold water. Add the spinach in a blender or grinder jar with chopped ginger, garlic and green chilies.
• Make a smooth palak puree. No need to add water while making the puree. Keep the spinach puree aside.
• Heat oil or ghee or butter in a pan or kadai. If using butter, melt it a low flame making sure that the butter does not brown.
• Add the cumin and let them splutter.
• Then add the tej patta or Indian bay leaf.
• Add the finely chopped onions. Saute till the onions become golden.
• Then add the finely chopped garlic. Saute till the raw aroma of garlic goes away. No need to brown the garlic.
• Add the chopped tomatoes. Stir and saute the tomatoes till they soften.
• Once the tomatoes are softened and you see fat releasing from the sides of the mixture. Then add the turmeric powder, red chili powder and asafoetida/hing.
• Mix very well.
• Then add the palak puree and mix well.
• Add about ½ cup water or as required. Mix again.
• Simmer for 6 to 7 minutes or more till the palak or spinach is cooked. Season with salt. The gravy or sauce will also thicken by now.
• Stir and add garam masala powder.
• Stir again and then add the paneer (Indian cottage cheese) cubes.
• Mix very well and switch off the heat. Be quick as we don't want heat the paneer for more 30 seconds to 1 minute. Overcooking paneer will make them chewy and dense.
• Lastly, add 2 tablespoons of low-fat cream. If using heavy whipping cream, then add 1 tablespoon of it. Stir gently again so that the cream gets incorporated in the gravy uniformly.
• Pour the palak paneer in serving bowls. While serving you can top it with some butter or cream.
• You can also drizzle a few drops of lime or lemon juice on top along with ginger julienne on the palak paneer.
• Stir and serve palak paneer hot with some roti. It also goes very well with Indian breads like tandoori roti, phulka, paratha or naan.
• Being a versatile dish, it also accompanies rice dishes from the indian cuisine like cumin rice, vegetable pulao, ghee rice, saffron rice and even a simple steamed rice very well.

CREAMY PALAK (SPINACH)

Steps:

• Cook the first 7 ingredients in one cup water for about 10 minutes.
• When little cold, puree in a blender, adding more water as needed.
• Heat the oil in a pan on medium heat.
• Saute the garlic and the spices.
• Add cream cheese and spinach.
• Cook for 10-15 mins.
• to desired consistency.
• Note: Add firm tofu pieces if desired.

CREAMY SPINACH (MALAI PALAK)

Steps:

• Heat the clarified butter in a heavy-based pan. Add the whole dry red chillies and fry until they darken.
• Add the ginger and fry till it is light brown. Add the green chillies and fry briefly.
• Add the chopped spinach, sugar, salt and mix well on high heat.
• Cook uncovered on medium-high heat stirring frequently for about 20 minutes or until the spinach is cooked and dry.
• Mix in the cream.
• Garnish with chopped fresh coriander and serve with jasmine rice, roti or chapati bread.

PALAK PANEER (SPINACH CURRY)

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir spinach in hot oil until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer spinach to a blender or food processor; puree until spinach becomes a coarse paste.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a saucepan over medium heat; cook cumin in hot oil until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add onion, green chile peppers, and garlic. Cook and stir until onion is tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and cover saucepan. Simmer for 1 minute and add blended spinach paste, water, ground coriander, red chile powder, and salt. Continue to cook until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Stir paneer into spinach mixture and simmer until hot, 1 to 2 minutes more.

INDIAN SPINACH CURRY (PALAK PALYA)

Steps:

• Place toor dal in a bowl and cover with water. Soak for 15 minutes.
• Drain toor dal and transfer to a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®). Add 3 cups water and close and lock the lid. Choose high pressure and set the timer for 7 minutes; allow 5 to 10 minutes for pressure to build.
• Release pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Set cooked toor dal aside.
• Heat a pan over medium heat and add oil. Add mustard seeds to hot oil and cook until sputtering, about 1 minute. Add cumin, urad dal, chana dal, fenugreek seeds, and hing. Cook and stir, making sure the seasonings do not burn. Add curry leaves, red chiles, and green chiles and fry for 1 minute. Mix in chopped spinach and saute about 1 minute. Sprinkle 1/4 cup water over spinach and cover pan partially with a lid. Cook until wilted, about 10 to 15 minutes more.
• Add cooked toor dal to the pan and mix well. Add coconut and jaggery and combine well. Season with salt and mix thoroughly.