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North Indian spinach curry blends velvety, spiced greens with mild Indian cheese perfectly. You'll love how the silky texture and balanced spice mix create a true feast for your taste buds.
When I first cooked this, I couldn't believe how easy it was to make something that tasted like it came from a fancy restaurant. The strong spinach flavor, paired with those warm spices and smooth cream, quickly made it one of my favorite Indian meals.
Key Ingredients
- Paneer: This mild Indian cheese soaks up all the flavors while adding protein to your meal
- Spinach: Makes up the curry base and gives the dish its signature green color and smooth feel
- Garlic and ginger: These flavor foundations bring warmth and depth to Indian cooking
- Spices: A blend of cumin, garam masala and coriander creates that classic Indian taste profile
- Fresh cream: Smooths everything out and takes the edge off the spicy kick
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Detailed Steps
- Prep work:
- Get the onion, garlic and ginger ready. Dice up those cherry tomatoes. Cut the paneer into cubes. Wash and blanch your spinach.
- Handling the spinach:
- Blanch the spinach leaves, cool them down and blend until smooth.
- Building flavor base:
- Sauté the onion, garlic and ginger. Throw in tomatoes and spices.
- Putting it all together:
- Mix the blended spinach into your base. Add the paneer cubes and cream. Season to taste.
I found out this dish tastes even better when I lightly brown the paneer in a bit of oil first. This gives it a slightly crispy outside while keeping the inside nice and soft. I also love adding a spoonful of plain yogurt when serving - it brings a nice coolness and makes everything extra creamy.
Northern Indian Heritage
This spinach cheese dish comes from Northern India, especially popular in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh regions. It mixes nutritious spinach with homemade fresh cheese for protein. Traditional Indian families often serve it during celebrations, but it's become an everyday meal too. The combo of its creamy texture and aromatic spices creates a balanced dish that both vegetarians and meat-lovers enjoy.
Serving Ideas
- Pair with basmati rice
- Enjoy with naan bread for dipping
- Serve alongside chapati or roti for a more traditional meal
- Make it part of a complete Indian feast
Flavor Twists
- Toss in fresh green chili for extra heat
- Keep some whole spinach leaves for more texture
- Mix in dried fenugreek for stronger flavor
- Squeeze some lemon juice for tangy freshness
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Storage
- Keeps in the fridge for 1-2 days
- Add water or cream when reheating
- Doesn't freeze well
After making this dish many times, I can tell you that this spinach cheese curry shows how Indian veggie cooking can create amazing flavors with just a few ingredients and the right spices. The way the earthy spinach notes, mild cheese, and warm spices come together makes a dish you'll want to cook again and again.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What’s paneer and where can I find it?
- Paneer is a firm Indian cheese with a mild taste that doesn’t melt. You can grab it at Indian stores, some supermarkets, or swap it with halloumi.
- → Can this dish be made vegan?
- Absolutely! Replace paneer with firm tofu and use coconut milk or plant-based cream for rich flavor.
- → Is this curry very spicy?
- Not at all, unless you want it to be! Add chili flakes or fresh peppers if you like extra heat.
- → Is it necessary to use fresh spinach?
- Nope! Frozen spinach works great too. Thaw it out, squeeze some water, and follow the steps as written.
- → What’s the best side dish for this curry?
- Basmati rice, naan bread, or chapatis make great sides. A bit of yogurt on the side works well too.
- → Can I make it ahead of time?
- Yes, and it might taste even better! Store it in the fridge for 1–2 days and reheat when ready to enjoy.