Guilt-Free Snacking: How to Make Spinach & Cottage Cheese Cutlets

Are you bored of the usual palak paneer (spinach puree and cottage cheese) and want to try something new? While I love palak paneer if made correctly, I was in search of some variations and healthy snacking options when I came across this recipe. Of course, I usually check the ingredients and techniques, and I improvise. So, here’s my version of a healthier alternative.

Ensure you wash the spinach leaves thoroughly several times. I usually take close to 500 gms of spinach leaves. Once washed and cleaned well, I add a teaspoon of cold-pressed sesame oil and a few finely chopped garlic cloves. I gently sauté them (don’t burn them) and add the coarsely chopped washed spinach to the warm pan.

I gently sauté them until tender, being careful not to overcook them. I add a pinch of salt and mix well. Once cool, I blend this into a puree and transfer it to a large bowl.

To this pureed spinach, I added two boiled grated potatoes and one block of paneer (close to 200 gms). You may replace the paneer with tofu if you’re looking for vegan options.

I then add toasted cumin seeds powder, salt to taste, chaat masala, and a few tablespoons of sattu (toasted chana powder) and knead well with my hand until I get a soft dough-like consistency.

Before preparing the cutlets, I oil my palms and make round cutlet shapes with the palak paneer mix. I drizzle the pan with some cold-pressed sesame oil and gently fry the cutlets on low heat and with a lid on.

Don’t try to rush this process. We need to cook the paneer thoroughly on both sides of the culets and from within.

I usually never deep fry the cutlets. If you have time, do this on low flame with minimal oil and allow the cutlets to cook thoroughly.

Once done, plate them and serve them with your choice of sauces and chutneys. You can also place them in your burger buns for amazing ‘spinach and cottage cheese’ burgers.

With a little innovation, we can create some really classy recipes with minimal effort and regular ingredients available in the kitchen.

This healthy vegetarian snack is packed with nutritional benefits, such as iron, fibre from spinach, protein, and calcium from the paneer, making it a wholesome, guilt-free indulgence.

Next time you plan to host your friends, you can make these lip-smacking palak paneer cutlets. They’ll go perfectly with your choice of drinks and will definitely be the perfect conversation starter!