Saag Paneer | Palak Paneer in Instant Pot

Step 1

Prep: Coarsely chop or slice onions, ginger and garlic.  Chop paneer cubes in 1/2 inch cubes. Wash the baby spinach, if not pre-washed.

Step 2

Turn on the Instant Pot on SAUTE (high). When it displays 'hot', add oil and cumin seeds. When cumin seeds begin to sizzle, add onions, ginger, garlic, chili, and sauté for about 1 minute, till onions turn translucent.

Step 3

Add salt and spices and stir well. Add 1/2 cup water and use it to deglaze the pot.  Add baby spinach with 1/2 cup water and close the lid.  Hit 'cancel' and set pressure valve to SEALING position. Cook on Manual or Pressure cook for 0 minutes.

Step 4

After pressure cooking is done, release the pressure manually (QR). Using an immersion blender, puree the spinach mix.  If the quantity is less for blending, tilt the pot a bit.

Step 5

Turn on SAUTE (medium). Stir in paneer cubes and simmer for 1 minute, till paneer cubes become soft. Turn off the Instant Pot.  Stir in butter. This adds a silky smooth finish to the sauce, and gives it a gorgeous shine. Serve hot with cumin rice or naan. Enjoy!

Step 6

Heat a deep sauce pan on medium high heat. Since spinach puree tends to splash when simmering, using a deep sauce pan prevents it from messing the cooktop.

Step 7

Add oil and cumin seeds. When cumin seeds begin to sizzle, add crushed ginger and garlic.  Add sliced onion and green chili, and sauté for a minute.

Step 8

Add salt, spices and stir well. Then, add 3/4 cup water, stir, cover the pan and cook for about 5-7 minutes on medium heat.

Step 9

Open the lid and add 1/2 bag of baby spinach and stir to wilt, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining spinach and wilt for around 2 minutes. Saute for another 1 minute. Turn off the heat. Using a hand immersion blender puree the spinach mix.  Add a little water if needed.

Step 10

Turn the heat back on to medium, add paneer cubes and simmer for 1 min, till paneer cubes become soft. Turn off the heat. Stir in butter, this adds a silky smooth finish to the sauce, and gives it a gorgeous shine.