Is Saag paneer gluten-free? In short, yes.
Saag paneer is gluten-free and is a famous vegetarian dish from north India made with spinach, other leafy green vegetables (saag), and paneer or Indian cottage cheese.
As the name implies, Saag paneer contains paneer, a soft Indian cheese that can be cooked without melting. The spice of the serrano chilies counteracts the creamy richness, but you can discard the seeds before chopping up the chilis for a softer meal.
Before simmering, the fresh greens are thinly sliced to help them break down more quickly into a velvety sauce. To save time, you can also use thawed chopped frozen spinach, but make sure to drain properly and wring out the excess liquid beforehand.
Finish with a dollop of heavy cream (or plain yogurt) to add body and flavor to the dish. Keep on reading to learn how is saag paneer gluten-free.
Is Saag Gluten-Free?
Saag is a vegetarian or vegan dish that can also be cooked with chicken. Packed with Indian flavors, saag paneer is a very delicious and healthy meal. It is served with paratha, naan, and rice regardless of how you prepare it. It is Punjab’s most famous meal.
According to a 2015 study, Trusted Source, people eating a diet that includes saag or spinach could also lower their blood pressure. This is because of the nitrates present in the spinach that help to relax blood vessels.
All other raw and fresh vegetables are low carbs as well as gluten-free. So people can enjoy vegetables, for example, other dark-green leafy greens, asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, squash, tomatoes, carrots, and many others.
Gluten-intolerant people can eat paneer and saag without worry. It’s also quite simple to create fresh, silky paneer at home, and I can guarantee that it’s clean and safe!
This authentic Indian spinach recipe can be cooked in just 30 minutes and is loaded with richness. It is a flexible meal that you can serve as either a main course or a side dish. If you’re a vegetarian, you can alternatively use paneer, Indian cheese made from full-fat milk.
I hope by now you know the answer to “Is saag paneer gluten free?” Still not convinced? Continue reading.
Does Saag Paneer Have Gluten?
Saag Paneer is a gluten-free, vegetarian dish. It tastes wonderful, and gluten-intolerant people should try it! This meal is simple to prepare and can be served for lunch or dinner.
Using fresh spinach, this saag paneer recipe is really simple to prepare. This meal can be made vegan by replacing the paneer with tofu.
This classic version is a quick and easy meal that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. Freshly chopped spinach and paneer are cooked with basic spices, onion, and garlic. This saag paneer is flavorful and gluten-free, making it ideal for vegetarian meals.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Fresh spinach or baby spinach
- Canola Oil
- Paneer
- For masala – tomatoes, onions, ginger-garlic paste, cayenne peppers
- Cumin powder, Turmeric powder, Coriander powder, Garam masala, Red chili powder
- Fenugreek leaves
- Fresh lemon juice
Directions
Step 1: Bring water to a boil in a big saucepan. Cook the spinach and fenugreek in boiling water for 2-3 minutes or until softened. Strain and set aside the leaves mixture to cool to room temperature. Blend in a mixer with a splash of water if necessary once the mixture has cooled.
Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon canola oil over medium heat. Add the paneer and stir it for 5 minutes. Cook paneer until the cubes are toasted on all sides. Set aside.
Step 3: In the same skillet, heat 2 tablespoons canola oil and cook the cumin seeds for 3 minutes, or until gently roasted and fragrant. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften, might take about 4 to 5 minutes. Add in the ginger and garlic. Saute for a minute.
Next, add tomato, garam masala, turmeric, and cayenne pepper; cook and stir for 10 minutes until the tomatoes have broken down and the onions are translucent.
Step 4: Now pour the spinach-mustard puree, a pinch of salt, and boil for another 5-7 minutes, or until the puree is cooked. If necessary, add a splash of water.
Step 5: Add and mix the paneer cubes with the remaining ingredients. Stir the spinach and fenugreek, cream, paneer cubes, and season with salt and pepper to taste. You can add coconut milk instead of cream if you want that authentic Indian taste. Cook for 15 minutes, or until paneer appears to be done, stirring regularly.
Serve with roti, naan, or paratha as a side dish. This recipe also goes well with pulao (Indian seasoned rice).
How to make Saag Paneer KETO friendly?
Saag paneer should be cooked in ghee rather than mustard oil, and plenty of fresh cream should be added once it’s done. Your KETO version saag paneer is now complete!
Can we use chopped Greens instead of pureed Greens?
It is entirely up to you which texture you like for your saag. If you prefer it coarse, finely chop it and add it to the curry. Add the spinach puree into the curry if you want the curry to be smooth and creamy.
