How to Make Saag Paneer

A popular goal amongst our clientele is to add more cruciferous vegetables or leafy greens daily, so try this if you need a boost!  Saag Paneer is a dish that I usually grab for take out at Tarka, but I figured I could make something close, or at least similar at home.  Saag paneer is a classic Indian dish of cooked spinach studded with cubes of seared cheese. 

The spices in this dish will get you out of a meal planning rut.  Consider it a "plan B" meal if you don't have time to defrost a protein for dinner- the paneer cheese is already waiting for you in the fridge...  Here it goes!

INGREDIENTS
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16oz fresh baby spinach 
4 cups dino kale, chopped
2 tablespoons ghee or unsalted butter
8 oz paneer cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
3 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon garam masala
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup plain yogurt 
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Whole wheat naan or jasmine rice with serving 

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​INSTRUCTIONS

Chop the spinach well, and set aside in a large bowl.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet.  Sear the paneer on each side over medium heat (about 3 minutes on each side). Remove from the pan and set aside.

Add the other tablespoon of butter in the pan.  Add the onions and salt, and saute until translucent. Add the garlic, ginger, garam masala, and turmeric.  Stir until combined and fragrant.

Next, add the spinach to the pan all at once.  Stir and cook until the spinach is wilted, a few minutes. 

Stir in the buttermilk to heat gently while stirring.  Stir in the yogurt to thicken.  Add  fresh lemon juice and finally stir in the seared paneer.  Serve with naan bread or brown jasmine rice.  ​

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By Jenny Hagendorf MS, RDN, LD, CSOWM