Today is St. Patrick’s day! We’re getting ready now to go out to brunch and then some parties by the St. Patty’s Day parade in Southie (aka South Boston). It’s a pretty big celebration here in Boston and always a (drunken) good time. I am hoping to eat some Irish soda bread and drink some Irish Coffee today at some point. Those are pretty much the only two Irish foods that I like…
Now, I know Saag Paneer is not Irish…but it sure is GREEN! I still consider it a very St. Patrick’s Day appropriate dish.
Regardless, it sureeee is delicious. Its basically a Mediterranean and Indian fusion dish. I substituted Halloumi Cheese, which is one of my favorite cheeses in the world, in place of Paneer cheese. Halloumi cheese has a squeakier, tougher texture and is really really good when it’s lightly fried or baked. Paneer cheese is considered an Indian “cottage” cheese, and has more of a tofu texture. While both are good, I really like the flavor and texture that’s added from the Halloumi cheese in this dish. It’s so freaking good.
Traditional Saag Paneer is so delicious and is one of my favorite Indian dishes. Saag Paneer is made up of greens (usually spinach and mustard greens of some sort) and a bunch of flavorful spices, creating a green sauce that is mixed with the paneer cheese. Since it is bursting with flavor, it doesn’t even taste like spinach. Instead, it soaks up the flavors of the garlic, onion, cumin, ginger, and coriander. Super flavorful and so good. Definitely an easy (and delicious) way to eat your vegetables.
This dish is also very easy to make and super healthy. It’s composed of lots of spinach, spices, onion, garlic, and a little bit of greek yogurt to add a touch of creaminess to the mixture. Served with brown rice, it makes for a super nutritious meal.
Hope you all enjoy the recipe as much as I did!
Halloumi Saag Paneer
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Ghee
- 12 ounces Halloumi
- 16 ounces Baby Spinach fresh or frozen works
- 1 medium Yellow Onion chopped
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Ginger peeled and minced
- 1 Serrano Chili Pepper deseeded and chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala
- 2 teaspoons Coriander ground
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 2/3 cup Greek Yogurt plain
Instructions
- Cut the halloumi into one-inch bite-sized pieces and pat dry with a paper towel
- Heat the ghee over medium-high heat in a nonstick skillet
- Add the halloumi and fry until golden brown on both sides
- Remove the halloumi from the pan and add in the chopped onion, garlic, ginger, and serrano chili pepper and fry until golden brown.
- Meanwhile, heat another skillet with the spinach and one cup of water. Boil the spinach until wilted.
- Add the spinach and remaining water to a blender and blend until pureed. Set aside until the end.
- Add in the garam masala, coriander, and cumin to the frying pan and stir fry until the spices are fragrant, about 3 minutes or so.
- Once you have cooked your spice mixture into your onion mixture, add in the pureed spinach and halloumi cheese.
- Stir in some yogurt and top with salt and pepper to taste
- Serve with brown rice or any side of your choosing.
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