Saag Paneer

Cooks Illustrated Recipe
audreyandjon.com
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Initial version

Authored by Shellsywellsy

Ingredients

  • 1 (10 ounce) bag curly-leaf spinach, rinsed (roughly 6 cups)
  • 3/4 lb mustard greens, stemmed and rinsed (sub: turnip greens, arugula) (roughly 4-5 cups)
  • 1 package store-bought Paneer (or make your own, recipe below)
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 onion, chopped finely
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
  • 1 jalapeño chile, stemmed, seeded, and minced
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained and chopped coarse
  • 1/2 c roasted cashews, chopped coarse
  • 1 c water
  • 1 c buttermilk
  • 3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

1

Place spinach in large microwave-safe bowl, cover, and microwave until wilted, about 3 minutes. When cool enough to handle, chop enough spinach to measure 1/3 cup and set aside, transfer remaining spinach to blender.

2

Repeat with the mustard greens, microwaving for 4 minutes.

3

Meanwhile, melt butter in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add cumin seeds, coriander, paprika, cardamom, and cinnamon and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add onion and 3/4 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, and jalapeño; cook, stirring frequently, until lightly browned and just beginning to stick to pan, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and cook mixture until pan is dry and tomatoes are beginning to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove skillet from heat.

4

Transfer half of onion mixture to blender with greens. Add half of cashews and water; process until smooth, about 1 minute. Return purée to skillet.

5

Return skillet to medium-high heat, stir in chopped greens and buttermilk, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until flavors have blended, 5 minutes. Don't overcook at this point!! Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6

Gently fold in cheese cubes and cook until just heated through, 1 to 2 minutes.

7

Transfer to serving dish, sprinkle with remaining cashews and cilantro, and serve.