Saag Paneer Salad

By • July 25, 2011 • 11 Comments


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Author Notes: I love saag paneer, but during the height of summer I also like to savor the flavors of fresh greens and sweet cherry tomatoes, so I decided to create a "raw" saag paneer salad: spinach and cherry tomatoes topped with cubed paneer cheese sauteed in a jalapeno, ginger, and spice-infused oil. I made this salad with bietola greens from my Farmers market, which are a dark Tuscan beet green, but it would also be delicious, and more authentically saag, made with spinach leaves. - Fairmount_market

Serves 4 as a side salad, 2 as an entree

  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes
  • 1 bunch bietola or spinach
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 jalapeno
  • 1 inch ginger root
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ~3 ounces paneer cheese
  • 1 green onion, large outer leaves removed
  • 1/4 cup neutral oil such as grape seed
  • 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon fenugreek
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  1. Wash the bietola or spinach, slice the leaves into 1/4 inch strips, and discard the stems. Wash and halve the cherry tomatoes. Toss the greens and tomatoes with the lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a large serving bowl.
  2. Seed the jalapeno. Peel the ginger and the garlic. Mince all three finely (you could do this in a food processor or mini-chopper). Chop the paneer cheese into 1/4 inch cubes. Chop the white and tender inner green leaves of the green onion into narrow rings.
  3. Just before you are ready to serve the salad, heat the oil in a skillet over medium high heat. When the oil is hot, add the black mustard seeds, fenugreek, and cumin seeds and let them sizzle for 1 minute. Add the jalapeno, ginger, and garlic mix and cook for a minute. Add the paneer cheese cubes and a pinch of salt and saute for a minute. Add the green onions and cook for a minute. Add the garam masala and saute for a final minute, until the cheese is well coated with the spices and the oil is bubbling and fragrant.
  4. Pour the spiced cheese cubes and oil over the greens and tomatoes. Toss and serve.

Tags: Indian spices

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almost 2 years ago lapadia

Very appetizing; the spices so mouthwatering, FM!

Kg_in_evanston_cropped

almost 2 years ago Fairmount_market

Thanks lapadia

Kitchen_fun

almost 2 years ago FrozenFoodie

Yum! This was fabulous. Now I have to try making my own paneer. Thanks so much for sharing.

Kg_in_evanston_cropped

almost 2 years ago Fairmount_market

I'm so glad you liked it!

036

almost 2 years ago aargersi

Abbie is a trusted source on General Cooking.

This is great! LOVE the spices and love the idea of the saag paneer in salad form!

Kg_in_evanston_cropped

almost 2 years ago Fairmount_market

Thanks aargersi. I think you will like the kick of the jalapeno in the salad dressing.

Fb

almost 2 years ago BlueKaleRoad

Oh, I'm a big saag paneer fan and love what you've created here.

Kg_in_evanston_cropped

almost 2 years ago Fairmount_market

Thanks BlueKaleRoad. I appreciate the compliment from a salad expert like yourself.

Fb

almost 2 years ago BlueKaleRoad

Aww, thank you Fairmount Market! I'm picking up paneer today to try your salad. :)

Kg_in_evanston_cropped

almost 2 years ago Fairmount_market

Thanks sdebrango! It also holds up remarkably well (we're having leftover tonight).

Oldies_joemare_bd

almost 2 years ago sdebrango

Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.

Beautiful, really great flavors, fresh and a wonderful summer use for paneer.

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