Indian-Style Spinach with Fresh Cheese (Saag Paneer)
North Indian Medium

Indian-Style Spinach with Fresh Cheese (Saag Paneer)

Soft cubes of homemade cheese in a spiced greens and cashew sauce

indianvegetariangluten-freedinner
(0 ratings)
⏱️ 1 hour 30 minutes 45 minutes prep · 30 minutes cook
🍽️ 6 Serves
510 Calories
22g Protein
28g Carbs
36g Fat

Why This Recipe Works

Making your own paneer at home results in a far superior texture than store-bought versions. This version uses mustard greens alongside spinach for depth, with pureed cashews adding a luxurious, nutty finish.


Instructions

1

Combine the milk, buttermilk, and salt in a large pot over medium-high heat. Heat the mixture, stirring occasionally to prevent the bottom from scorching, until it reaches a gentle simmer and the curds have clearly separated from the yellowish whey.

2

Pour the mixture into a colander lined with a double layer of cheesecloth. Gather the edges of the cloth and wring it tightly to remove excess moisture. Place the cheesecloth bundle between two nesting plates and weight the top plate with a heavy can until the cheese is firm enough to slice, about 30 minutes.

💡 Ensuring the plates nestle snugly will help create a uniform disk of cheese.

3

Place the spinach and mustard greens in a large bowl and microwave until completely wilted, about 5 to 7 minutes. Squeeze out the excess liquid from the greens and chop them coarse.

4

Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds, coriander, paprika, cardamom, and cinnamon and cook until the spices are fragrant and beginning to darken.

5

Add the onion and salt to the pot and cook until the onion is softened and beginning to brown, about 8 to 10 minutes.

6

Stir in the garlic, ginger, and jalapeño and cook until fragrant. Add the tomatoes, cashews, water, and buttermilk, then stir in the wilted greens. Simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.

7

Puree the mixture using an immersion blender until mostly smooth, or transfer to a standard blender and process until it reaches a thick, saucy consistency with some remaining texture from the greens.

8

Cut the pressed cheese into bite-sized cubes. Gently stir the cheese cubes and cilantro into the spinach sauce. Serve hot with rice or naan.

💡 Be gentle when folding in the cheese so the cubes remain intact.


🍽️ Complete the Meal

📅
Make Ahead: The paneer can be pressed a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
🧊
Storage: Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Freezing not recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze this recipe?

Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Freezing not recommended.

Can I make this ahead of time?

The paneer can be pressed a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.

Rohit Bothra
Recipe by

Rohit Bothra

Self-taught cook exploring global vegetarian cuisine from my Atlanta kitchen.

Learn more about me →
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