Saag Paneer
Punjabi style spinach with cheese cubes
Altering a bit from common internet procedures.
In general, my Indian food according to recipe has been
lacking compared to restauraunts.
They often call for saute of spices with or after the cornerstones
(onion, garlic, chili, ginger).
I question this.
I also question early saute of ginger.
Perhaps wait until later if you like the flavor of fresh ginger.
sear about 8oz paneer cubes in ghee or coconut oil with salt on one side,
then remove.
Make Indian mirepoix in same oil.
You can chop as you make this in this order, since
I generally want to cook onions longest.
- 1 med to large onion, diced.
- 2-3 green chili to taste.
- 4 cloves garlic. Minced or grated.
- 8-10cc ginger, minced or grated.
may want to delay this until Temper.
Add more oil or ghee, and add giant amount of fresh, rinsed,
diced spinach leaves.
Fill the pot.
A pound? All or most of a box?
Temper, in ghee or oil (coconut perhaps), in seperate skillet:
- 1 tsp cumin, ground
- 1 tsp corriander, ground
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- Add ginger here if not in mirepoix, but right at the end.
30 seconds or less.
Add some fat from canned coconut milk to temper, if using. Simmer briefly.
Add temper to spinach after spinach has wilted and reduced a bit.
re-introduce paneer, browned on one side, back to spinach.
Add most of a 14 oz can coconut milk and/or some yogurt to taste,
and consistency.
Season to taste with salt and ground black pepper
Simple Kale Paneer
Like saag paneer, but simplified, for weekdays.
- Start simmering greens
- Simmer minced stems from about 2 bunches kale in stock.
- While simmering, chiffanade and mince leaves from the kale.
Set aside.
- Prep Indian Mirepoix below
- Add minced leaves to simmering pot.
- Indian mirepoix
You can chop as you make this in this order, since
I generally want to cook onions longest.
- 1 small to med onion, diced.
- 2 cloves garlic. Minced or grated.
- 1-2 green chili to taste.
- 6-8cc ginger, minced or grated.
Add to simmering greens.
- Temper/paneer
- Put about 2 tsp oil or ghee in pan.
- Add about 1/2c diced paneer
Wait until paneer start to get browned on bottom
- Add 1/2 tsp turmeric, if curry is low in turmeric.
- about 1 tsp curry powder
- about 1/2 tsp garam masala
Stir until spices are fragrant and absorbed into oil
- Add temper to simmering greens, stir, simmer a few more minutes,
season to taste with salt and ground black pepper
Aaron Birenboim
240417 added simplified kale