Trader Joe's-Style Saag Paneer

Non-GMO
Organic
Whole-Food
No-Additives

Cuisine Indian
Course Main
Prep 15 min
Cook 20 min
Serves 4

Ingredients

1 lb organic fresh baby spinach (roughly chopped)
8 oz organic paneer cheese (cubed)
2 tbsp avocado oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp garam masala
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 inch fresh ginger (grated)
1 organic tomato (diced)
2 tbsp full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh cilantro for garnish

Clean swaps

How we upgrade the restaurant version with better ingredients.

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Shop the clean pantry

Reorder the shelf-stable staples for this recipe.

What you'll need

Cast iron skillet — Sears better than any non-stick; naturally non-stick once seasoned.
Enameled Dutch oven — For braises, roasts, and one-pot mains.
Instant-read thermometer — The only reliable way to nail doneness without guessing.

Instructions

Heat 1 tbsp of the avocado oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the paneer cubes and sear until lightly golden on a couple of sides, about 3-4 minutes, then remove and set aside.
Add the remaining 1 tbsp avocado oil to the pot, then add cumin seeds and sauté for 30 seconds until they begin to sizzle.
Stir in minced garlic, grated ginger, and diced tomato. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
Add turmeric, garam masala, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine the spices.
Fold in the chopped organic spinach. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted.
Blend the spinach mixture with an immersion blender (or pulse in a blender) until mostly smooth.
Return the sauce to the pot, stir in the seared paneer and coconut milk/cream, and simmer for 5-8 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

FAQ

Can I use regular paneer instead of organic?

While using regular paneer is acceptable, the organic option ensures that the cheese is free from pesticides and other synthetic additives.

Is it necessary to use coconut milk or can I substitute with another dairy product?

Yes, you can use heavy cream as a substitute. Both options are clean choices without artificial ingredients.

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