Baked paneer and spinach in tomato gravy
Fried paneer layered with creamy spiced spinach and tomato gravy
Golden fried paneer cubes layered with a creamy, nutmeg-scented spinach sauce and a garlicky tomato gravy, then baked under cheese. Serve hot with naan or bread.
- Total time
- 70 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
For the spinach
- 7 oz spinach6 cups, chopped
- 1 pinch bicarbonate of soda
- 1 tbsp ghee
- 1 onionchopped
- 2 tsp plain flour
- 2 tbsp fresh cream
- 3 green chillieschopped
- ½ tsp saltor to taste
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
For the tomato gravy
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 onionchopped
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- 1 ⅛ lb tomatoeschopped
- ½ tsp red chilli powder
- ¾ tsp saltor to taste
- 1 tsp sugaror to taste
For the topping
- 4 tbsp cheesegrated
Shop this recipe on Amazon
What you'll need
Links open Amazon in a new tab. As an Amazon Associate, WhatToEat.Today earns from qualifying purchases.
Method
0/11 doneStep 2: Cook 7 oz spinach in an open pan, without water, with 1 pinch bicarbonate of soda for 3–4 minutes until wilted. Leaving the lid off keeps it bright green. Blend to a puree.
4 minStep 3: Heat 1 tbsp ghee and sauté 1 onion for 1 minute. Add 2 tsp plain flour and cook for 1 minute.
2 minStep 4: Add the spinach puree, 2 tbsp fresh cream, 3 green chillies and ½ tsp salt and cook for 3 minutes. Sprinkle with ¼ tsp ground nutmeg.
3 minStep 5: For the tomato gravy, heat 1 tbsp oil and sauté 1 onion and 1 tsp garlic paste for 2 minutes.
2 minStep 6: Add 1 ⅛ lb tomatoes and cook for 8–10 minutes until tender.
10 minStep 7: Blend, return to the pan with ½ tsp red chilli powder, ¾ tsp salt and 1 tsp sugar, and cook for 3 minutes.
3 minStep 8: Heat the oven to 400°F. Spread half of the paneer in a greased baking dish and spread half of the spinach on top.
Step 9: Make another layer with the rest of the paneer and spinach.
Step 10: Top with the tomato gravy and sprinkle 4 tbsp cheese over it.
Step 11: Bake for 15–20 minutes until bubbling. Serve hot with naan or bread.
18 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 17 g
- Carbs
- 9 g
- Fat
- 25 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does baked paneer and spinach in tomato gravy take?
- About 70 minutes in total: 25 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of paneer?
- Firm tofu, pressed and cubed (vegan; season it well).
- What can I use instead of bicarbonate of soda?
- Baking powder, three times the amount (the bake may taste slightly different).
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to cook it.
Rate this recipe
Sign in to rate and review this recipe.
You might also like
Black bean tacos with lime slaw
Proof that a meat-free taco night can be the best one. The beans are mashed with chipotle and cumin so they hold together in the tortilla, and a quick lime slaw adds crunch.
SakarpadaSweet fried dough diamonds
Sakarpada (shakarpara) are little sweet diamonds of a rich dough made with ghee, milk and sugar, fried until golden and crunchy. They are a Diwali favourite with tea, and the cubes go into bhusu too. They keep for weeks in an air-tight tin.
Caramelised clay-pot tofu and mushroomsBraised tofu and mushrooms
Kho is the slow braise of the Mekong Delta: food simmered in a little clay pot (nồi đất) with dark caramel and seasoning until the sauce is sticky and the flavours go deep. This vegetarian cousin of cá kho tộ (braised fish) uses golden tofu and meaty mushrooms in place of fish, cooked in coconut water, as cooks do in the south, and finished with plenty of black pepper. Serve it bubbling in its pot with steamed rice and a sour soup or plain boiled vegetables. Chef's tip: take the caramel (nước màu) to a deep mahogany, darker than you think, just before it smokes; pale caramel only tastes sweet, while dark caramel gives the bittersweet, smoky flavour of a real kho.




