Palak Paneer in an Instant Pot - Indian Cottage Cheese in Spinach Sauce

Palak Paneer is one of those things that I have avoided for a long time. I did not like the cream slathered spinach puree with paneer thrown in. It took me a while to realize that it does not have to be cooked with all that cream and I could cook it the way I liked.

Sauteed Paneer

I am glad that I did because with some fresh spinach and some soft paneer there is nothing better and tastier. I cook it the way I do the spinach chutney. A few extra spices to permeate the bland paneer is all that is different. With an Instant Pot it is all done in one dish.

Recipe in pictures,

Heat ghee in the Instant Pot in Saute mode and saute the cubed paneer for a minute or so.
Chop the onions, chilies and get the spices ready.
In Saute mode, heat oil and add the onions and green chilies, and saute till the onions are translucent.
Add the ginger and garlic and saute for a minute and then add the spice powders.
Add the chopped spinach, salt and saute for a couple of minutes and then add a 1/4 cup of water and cook in Manual mode for 5 minutes and let the steam release naturally.
Use a hand blender and blend the spinach to a puree and then add the sauteed paneer.

With some soft phulkas or chapatis this is the perfect balanced meal.

Palak Paneer
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients

1. 14 oz block of paneer cubed
2. 1/2 lb of Spinach washed and chopped
3. 2 tbsp of chopped onions or shallots
4. 1 garlic clove chopped (optional)
5. 1/2 tbsp grated ginger
6. 3 green chilies
7. 1/4 tsp cumin powder
8. 1 tsp black pepper powder
9. 2 tsp coriander powder
10. 1 tsp ghee + 1/2 tbsp oil
11. salt to taste

Method

1. Put the Instant Pot in Saute Mode, adjust the heat to 'Less'.
2. Add the ghee when the pot says hot and in half a minute add the cubed paneer and saute for a minute or so. Remove to a paper towel.
3. If the Instant Pot does not have any bit of paneer stuck to the pot, add the oil and continue with cooking. Else clean the pot and then add the oil.
4. Once the oil is hot, add the onions and green chilies and saute till the onions are translucent.
5. Add in the grated ginger and garlic and saute for a a minute.
6. Add in the cumin, pepper and coriander powders and saute for a minute more.
7. Add in the chopped spinach and salt saute for a couple of minutes and add a 1/4 cup of water and then put the Instant Pot in Manual mode and cook for 5 minutes.
8. Once cooked let the pressure release naturally and using a hand blender, blend the spinach to a smooth puree.
9. Add in the sauteed paneer and mix.
Serve with any kind of Indian bread or even rice.

Like what you are reading? Subscribe!