Saag Paneer (Spinach with Cheese)

Food & Fun - By Rachael Ray on

Rach shares her recipe for the classic Indian side dish Saag Paneer (spiced spinach with cheese). She likes to serve this with her Indian-Style Onion-Marinated Steak.

Ingredients
For the spice blend:
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seed, a palmful
  • 1-2 cardamom pods
  • 2 cloves
  • 3 whole allspice berries
  • 5-6 black peppercorns
For the Saag Paneer:
  • One 8-ounce brick paneer cheese, halved horizontally and cut into thin 1x½-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons ghee or butter
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped 
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped or grated
  • 1 tablespoon grated or finely chopped fresh ginger root, or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon grated or finely chopped fresh turmeric root, or 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 pound spinach, stemmed and coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup whole milk yogurt
  • 1 small lemon, juiced
  • 3-4 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Preparation

For the spice blend, toast seeds and grind in spice mill or substitute 2 tablespoons store-bought garam masala.

For the paneer, heat nonstick skillet over medium to medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon ghee or melt butter and foam, then add cheese and brown on both sides, remove and reserve.

To assemble the Saag Paneer, heat remaining 1 tablespoon ghee in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat, add onions and cook 5 minutes, add garlic, ginger, and turmeric, and stir in about ½ cup water and let it absorb. Add spice blend and wilt in the spinach a few handfuls at a time. Add buttermilk and yogurt, reduce heat, and simmer to thicken 15 minutes. Add cheese and combine, add juice of 1 lemon, top with sesame and serve.