Saag Paneer
Adding greens is a must in my home. Having said that sometimes it so happens that I see fresh greens at the aisle and I cant help myself from grabbing all of them at once. What's wrong in that you might ask? Well, its just that I don't prefer to buy all my greens at one go, since every day spent lurking in the fridge corner, it loses nutrients and freshness. And who wants to eat greens on a daily basis anyways - yeah, sounds ideal but is it realistic?So the last time I went to grocery store, I saw super fresh bunch of mustard leaves, spinach and fenugreek leaves(methi). Its not often that I get fresh fenugreek (frozen rules my kitchen). With so many goodies what does one do? They make saag/sag paneer of course!
Saag Paneer
I have seen sag paneer, palak paneer and sarson ka sag being used interchangeably and at the end of the day, I don't see any difference between them most of the time. With lots of research and asking experts, I have come to a conclusion. So the question.. What is the difference between Sarson Ka Sag, Palak Paneer and Saag Paneer? Palak Paneer - Palak (spinach) Paneer (Indian cottage cheese) is a gravy based dish made by pureeing Spinach, cooked and enhanced with blend of mild spices and fried (or otherwise) Paneer. Sarson Ka Sa(a)g - Saag basically means any curry (In Punjab,India) made with any green leafy vegetables with mild assortment of spices. Sarson (Mustard Leaves) Ka Saag means a green side dish made predominantly with Mustard leaves. Since the taste of mustard by itself takes time getting used to, spinach is added to bring down its somewhat bitter, pungent/peppery taste. Saag Paneer - Paneer cooked in a green leafy gravy makes Saag Paneer. The greens can be varied to include mustard greens, spinach, fenugreek leaves or even something like mint/cilantro. So since I had all the greens in place, I made my saag with all the above mentioned greens. Also to enhance the health factor, instead of boiling the greens, I steamed them. Less contact with water = more nutrition. It also helps to retain the rich pleasing green color of this dish. You can make it as rich or as low calorie as you want. I opted for something in the middle to maintain the authenticity of the dish. Saag Paneer
  • Cook time:
  • Prep time:
  • Serves: 2 people
Ingredients
  • 1 bunch Mustard leaves (if you like the taste, go for 2 bunches)
  • 1 bunch spinach leaves
  • 1 small bunch fresh fenugreek leaves
  • few leaves of fresh mint leaves (add freshness to the dish)
  • handful of fresh cilantro
  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • 1 onion,grated (or chopped v finely)
  • 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 1-2 green chillies (as per taste)
  • 1 tbsp Makai ka atta (maize/corn flour)
  • 1 cup Paneer, crumbled (you can cube it if you like)
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • pinch of turmeric (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp coriander-cumin powder (optional)
  • salt to taste
Method
1. Cut the stems of the greens. Wash the greens well. The best way to wash them for me is to fill my kitchen basin with water and then put the greens in it. clean it well and most often you would find a residue of mud on the surface of the basin.
2. Chop them coarsely and place them in a steamer. You can alternatively boil the greens if you wish.
3. I don't prefer the greens to wilt completely since the beautiful color is lost. Steaming for approx 2-3 minutes should do it.
4. Blend the greens into a puree along with the green chillies. You can do it coarse or smooth as per your taste. I keep mine not too smooth nor too coarse.
5. Now in a skillet, saute the grated onions, turmeric,ginger-garlic paste and coriander-cumin powder (if using) in Ghee (or oil).
6. Add the crumbled paneer and cook for 5 minutes until paneer is soft.
7. Add the greens puree.
8. Stir the mixture until everything comes together and the it comes to a boil. You can thicken the mixture if watery with Makai Ka atta (Maize flour/corn flour) for that authentic touch, followed while making Sarson Ka sag. Or else a little cornstarch should do it too. If too thick , add little water to get your desired consistency. Add salt. You can also add lemon juice.
I like mine a little on the thicker side so that I can scoop out the mixture with my Naan bread or in this case, a piece of fresh home made olive-rosemary bread ( talk about fusion!). Saag Paneer

Related Posts

Sarson Ka Saag By DK on Feb 18, 2010
Palak Paneer Paratha By DK on Jul 25, 2011
Paneer Paratha By DK on Jun 12, 2013

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39 Comments

By dcgirl98 on Jun 5, 2013

I've been trying to hunt down a recipe that seems to be what I'm looking for. I definitely want to try this out but I was wondering does the garam masala get added in with the other spices. It's not specifically mentioned in the instructions. Thanks in advance!

By Parveen on Jan 7, 2013

Add one brocalli when steaming along with the greens . It's creamy and healthy

By nona on Nov 27, 2012

Looks lovely, but fenugreek in saag paneer? Am worried that steamed methi will be very, very bitter.

I think the recipe you are looking for is in fact Palak Paneer which uses only Spinach as the base. But technically the term "Saag" means any gravy that is made using greens hence I use a mix of various greens. Because the fenugreek is used in combination it won't be bitter. If you are worried, you can reduce the amount. I will in fact post the Saag (Palak) Paneer recipe that you are looking for, the next time I make them :) --DK

By Menu Monday « Disasters in Domesticity on Oct 3, 2011

[...] Saag paneer with cauliflower fritters and Indian [...]

By Laura Plumb on Mar 17, 2011

I love the photos of the finished masterpiece. Thanks for the recipe.

By jessica singh on Dec 5, 2010

Hello! I am eager to try this, but instead of the paneer I was looking for a chicken saag recipe. What adjustments should I make in order to make chicken saag? THANKS!

By Poonam on Mar 2, 2010

Hi!! I made this today and it was yummy but as per your receipe when do we add the garam masala.I just added in the beginning.Wanted to confirm though.Thanks again for a yummy receipe. :)

By Saranya on Feb 25, 2010

Hi, Looks delicious and healthy! surely on my to do list! will get back on how it tasted... am sure it wld taste gr8!

By Padma on Feb 6, 2010

looks very hard to make - is there any easy way to make saag paneer?

It probably looks hard but it is not - depends on what you find hard here. You can instead boil the greens if that is easier for you and "not" fry the paneer. Just add them to the saag once you prepare it. Then it would be much easier. --DK

By Divya Vikram on Jan 11, 2010

Nice post on fenugreek Dhiv. Not able to comment there. My fenugreek seeds have just started letting out leaves!

By bhanu on Dec 16, 2009

Wow looks deliciuous. Thank you for sharing the recipe with all the required details and lovely pictures. By the way do you prepare paneer at home?. If so can you share the recipe. Thank you

Thank you Bhanu - I do make paneer at home :) although not as often as I would like :) Surely I will post it at Chef In You the next time I make some. -- DK

By Chippy on Nov 19, 2009

Hi. I've been trying to cook this dish for ages but only of late noticed that it might not be ALL Spinach. After reading up I saw a lot of posts saying just that. What an Illuminating recipe, I'll be trying this very soon. Many thanks.

By busy, busy « jennifer’s blog on Jul 27, 2009

[...] we have the anti-Mikey. Liam will eat anything. He sampled several items from the Indian buffet (saag paneer was the fan favorite) and chowed on Mexican (twice), digging the tamales, enchiladas in mole, and [...]

By John909 on May 29, 2009

Very nice site!

By Kevin on May 28, 2009

That spinach and paneer looks really good!

By Sneh | Gel's Kitchen on May 17, 2009

I love palak and sarson so much that it is ridiculous! This is a lovely recipe, love the rustic "dhaba" style :-)

By Pavithra Kodical on May 13, 2009

Looks delicious and mouthwatering.Healthy combo to try :)

By CurryLeaf on May 13, 2009

Lovely healthy and delicious. DK.Am yet to try this.I thght all the three are almost same. Thanks for the info

By Amrita on May 12, 2009

Now I'm missing home :( Looks delish!

By SuperChef on May 12, 2009

awesome dish!! love the way you have crumbled the paneer for this...i somehow always used cubed paneer..this looks like the paneer will better absorb the flavours!

By Lisa on May 12, 2009

I love paneer anything. How fortunate you were to find fresh fenugreek leaves. I can image how awesome this dish tasted.

By Cynthia on May 12, 2009

How wonderfully creamy.

By vanamala on May 12, 2009

lovely dish...nice recipe...btw nice template :)

By sathyasankar on May 12, 2009

That's a good one DK, love saag paneer :)

By Ashwini on May 12, 2009

Healthy recipe and good explanation...love the adition of mint...

By rekha on May 12, 2009

wow what a helthy recipe looks so delicious

By Soma on May 12, 2009

I love the new look/your new home! I like the way you have combined all the greens together. so far i have done only one at a time. great idea! i steam my greens too.

By Lubna Karim on May 12, 2009

Oh wow loks flavourful and yum.

By Priya on May 12, 2009

Fantastic dish DK..never tried anything with mustard green...delicious saag with panneer looks amazing and healthy with all those greens!

By Parita on May 11, 2009

Thats fantastic dish..very healthy and delicious :)

By Nags on May 11, 2009

never cooked with mustard seeds before. looks yum :) You mean leaves..dont u? ;)

By prathibha on May 11, 2009

Very healthy n Lovely dish..MAde with so many greens.....

By Ashwini on May 11, 2009

Lovely and healthy dish. Nice information. Looks delish.

By Pavani on May 11, 2009

Healthy dish. I can never find fresh mustard greens in my grocery store. Will look for it again.

By Divya vikram on May 11, 2009

Lovely and healthy dish Dhiv!

By veggiebelly on May 11, 2009

I havent met a green leaf I didnt find delicious! I like your idea of steaming to preserve nutrition, I'm going to try that next. When I have too many greens around, I add a bunch to my blended breakfast smoothie :) I am yet to start liking greens in my smoothie! should start liking it!

By Trupti on May 11, 2009

Saag paneer looks very delicious & healthy DK & nice info abt different dishes. Thank you very much for sending this to the event Thanks Trupti:)

By Sonu on May 11, 2009

Wow...fantastic Saag Paneer. Bookmarked! Will try sooon. :) sevenspice.wordpress.com Thanks sonu :)

By Ramya Vijaykumar on May 11, 2009

Looks very delectable and your new space is just rocking!!!