{"id":"recipe_561129ffbf","slug":"palak-paneer","title":"Palak Paneer","description":"A classic North Indian vegetarian dish made with succulent paneer cubes in a smooth, vibrant spinach gravy, seasoned with aromatic spices.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g fresh spinach leaves","name":"Spinach","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"leaves","notes":"fresh, cleaned","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"250g Paneer","name":"Paneer","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":8.8,"usUnit":"oz","form":"cubed","notes":"Indian cottage cheese","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 medium onion, finely chopped","name":"Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely chopped","notes":"yellow or red","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"2 medium tomatoes, pureed","name":"Tomato","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"pureed","notes":"fresh","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"4 garlic cloves, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":4,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 inch ginger, grated","name":"Ginger","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"grated","notes":"about 1 inch","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"2 green chilies","name":"Green chili","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"slit or whole","notes":"adjust to heat preference","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 tsp cumin seeds","name":"Cumin Seeds","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 tsp garam masala","name":"Garam Masala","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"2 tbsp ghee or oil","name":"Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"can substitute with vegetable oil","group":"fats","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"2 tbsp heavy cream","name":"Cream","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"for finishing","group":"dairy","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"Salt to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"fine","notes":"to taste","group":"spices","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Blanch the spinach leaves in boiling water for 2 minutes. Immediately transfer to cold water to preserve the green color. Drain and blend into a smooth puree with the green chilies.","group":"Preparation","title":"Blanch the spinach leaves","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Heat ghee or oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent.","group":"Sautéing","title":"Heat ghee or oil","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Sautéing"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add minced garlic and grated ginger. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the pureed tomatoes and cook until the oil starts to separate from the mixture.","group":"Sautéing","title":"Add minced garlic and grated ginger","timerMinutes":4,"sourceTitle":"Sautéing"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Pour in the spinach puree and add salt. Mix well and cook for 5 minutes on low heat. Add water if the gravy is too thick.","group":"Simmering","title":"Pour in the spinach puree","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Simmering"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Add the paneer cubes and garam masala. Gently stir and simmer for another 2-3 minutes. Finish by stirring in the heavy cream and serve hot with naan or rice.","group":"Finishing","title":"Add the paneer cubes and garam masala","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"For a restaurant-style smoky flavor, you can perform a 'dhungar' (charcoal smoking) technique at the end. Don't overcook the spinach to keep it bright green.","cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["Punjabi"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["simmer","saute","boil"],"equipment":["blender","pan","chef's knife"],"diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein"],"allergens":["milk"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"serving","note":"A generous bowl of curry"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The spinach gravy can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Add paneer and cream when reheating."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if needed."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_561129ffbf%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=085c5d26-6523-48d4-8c34-fb4af071488a","imageAlt":"Palak Paneer — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["spinach","paneer","indian","vegetarian","creamy","curry"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Palak Paneer","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T17:13:14.030Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T17:13:14.030Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_fb27e32ec2","slug":"curd-rice-thayir-sadam","title":"Curd Rice (Thayir Sadam)","description":"A comforting, creamy South Indian staple made with soft-cooked rice mixed with cool yogurt and tempered with aromatic spices, mustard seeds, and curry leaves.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","nut_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_fb27e32ec2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f4b6828b-7878-41e2-be3a-0eb61ce6a548","imageAlt":"Curd Rice (Thayir Sadam) — recipe cover","tags":["rice","yogurt","south indian","curd rice","thayir sadam","comfort food","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":13,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_4f66a15443","slug":"lemon-rice-elumichai-sadam","title":"Lemon Rice (Elumichai Sadam)","description":"A vibrant, tangy, and aromatic South Indian classic made with fluffy precooked rice, fresh lemon juice, and a crunchy tempering of lentils, peanuts, and spices.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_4f66a15443%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=35e72f0f-1a06-4145-8088-dfcf951a6bfb","imageAlt":"Lemon Rice (Elumichai Sadam) — recipe cover","tags":["lemon rice","south indian","tangy","quick lunch","vegan indian","yellow rice"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":14,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_c3ae6a52c8","slug":"moong-dal-khichdi","title":"Moong Dal Khichdi","description":"A comforting, wholesome Indian one-pot meal made with rice and yellow moong lentils, tempered with ghee and mild spices. This version is perfect for a nutritious breakfast.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_c3ae6a52c8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=5460ce62-691a-4f9d-b89e-0431c5210df6","imageAlt":"Moong Dal Khichdi — recipe cover","tags":["comfort food","healthy","one pot","moong dal","rice","indian breakfast"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":6}]}