Indian Palak Paneer With Ricotta (Spinach and Cheese) Recipe

Name: Vegetarian Indian Palak Paneer With Ricotta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 tbsp. olive oil + 2 tbsp.; 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 onion (diced); 1 tbsp. fresh ginger (grated or minced); 2 tsp. cumin; 1 tsp. coriander; 1/2 tsp. turmeric; 1/2 cup sour cream; 3 large bunches of spinach; 8 ounces fresh whole milk ricotta cheese (drained); Dash salt (to taste)

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 15 mins

Total: 25 mins

Servings: 4 servings

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No paneer? No problem! Make this reduced-fat Indian palak paneer (or saag paneer, really) recipe using ricotta cheese instead of the traditional Indian paneer. If you don't have a source for paneer in your city, you can still enjoy palak paneer—Indian spinach and cheese. Use a low-fat or reduced-fat ricotta to make this spinach dish. You'll need to use fresh, whole milk ricotta cheese in this recipe, and not the chalky kind that comes in a plastic container. It'll turn out quite differently if you don't!

This recipe skips the usual step of pureeing the spinach which most Indian spinach recipes will call for. If you want to puree your greens, just do it before adding in the fried ricotta. Normally Indian vegetable dishes such as this one would be served alongside a dish of plain steamed white rice, though you could certainly use brown rice or another whole grain. We tend to skip the rice and just eat it on its own.

Serve up this fantastic palak paneer with a side of cheese pakoras for a full vegetarian Indian meal. This Indian palak paneer with ricotta recipe is vegetarian and all of the ingredients are gluten free as well.

4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
1 tablespoon grated or minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 cup sour cream
3 large bunches spinach
8 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese, fresh, drained
1 dash salt, to taste

In a large saucepan over medium heat, sauté the garlic and the onion in 2 tablespoons olive oil for a minute or two.
Add the fresh ginger, cumin, coriander, and turmeric, stirring, and allow the spices to cook for another minute.
Next, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the sour cream, stirring to combine, then the spinach. You may need to add the spinach a little bit at a time, waiting for it to cook down before adding more.
Allow the spinach to cook until done, about 10 minutes.
In a separate skillet, using a spoon, scoop out the fresh ricotta into preheated oil 1 spoonful at a time.
Fry the ricotta in 2 tablespoons olive oil until lightly browned.
Add the fried ricotta cheese to the spinach mixture.
Cover, and cook on medium-low for 5 to 7 more minutes.
Add a dash of salt, to taste, and serve hot.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
253	Calories
18g	Fat
15g	Carbs
13g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	253
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g	22%
Saturated Fat 7g	34%
Cholesterol 35mg	12%
Sodium 225mg	10%
Total Carbohydrate 15g	5%
Dietary Fiber 5g	17%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 13g
Vitamin C 19mg	94%
Calcium 432mg	33%
Iron 7mg	39%
Potassium 976mg	21%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.