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This Vegan Palak Tofu Paneer is the easiest Vegan Palak Paneer with Tofu. Its dairy-free, gluten-free. Can be made soy-free w/ chickpea tofu, veggies or cooked chickpeas. 20 minute active time and ready in another 10. Serve over cooked grains of choice or with flatbread. Vegan Gluten-free Indian Recipe. Jump to Recipe
So finally I am adding a bit of Tofu to some meals. Still very very few meals, but trying to develop just a bit of acceptance to it. Hubbs likes Tofu, but I never have and never needed to eat it. There are always more options to cook up at home, but not necessarily when we eat out.We started making Tofu scrambles once a week or rather hubbs started making some, since he always was the scramble expert. The scrambles are usually amply spiced and herbed and cheesed(nooched).
Any which way, lets get back to this Vegan Palak Tofu “Paneer”. Palak is Spinach and Tofu acts as the spiced up Paneer. I used to love the creamy palak paneer in my pre-gan days. Since vegan-izing it, I usually make it with Tempeh. With Tofu however it tastes even creamier. And the best part is it takes less than 20 minutes in the kitchen. Saute the Tofu, meanwhile blend up the spinach, no Blanching needed!, add to Tofu and let cook while you clean up, or prep/make the flat bread or rice. Drizzle cashew cream and serve. Done. For a more paneer like consistency, mix the tofu with the oil and spices and bake it for 20 mins. I find that panfrying is much quicker for a weeknight meal.
Another delicious Indian restaurant style curry veganized! Lets make this vegan Palak Paneer.
You can make it soy-free with potatoes and/or cauliflower, cooked chickpeas/beans or Chickpea Tofu .Serve with flat breads, or top a bowl of quinoa or brown rice, or make sandwiches or top a pizza!
The easiest and the tastiestVegan Palak Tofu Paneer !
Back to this Saag “Paneer”. I often substitute half of the greens with other green leafies, like collard greens or mustard greens. This spinach gravy is a delicious to add greens to meals if you are not fond of green smoothies.
More restaurant style curries on the blog
Vegetable Jalfrezie – Veggies in tangyy smoky curry.
Tempeh Do Pyaaza – Tempeh in double onion curry
Dahl Makhani
Mango curry Tofu
Tempeh Tikka Masala curry
Gobi Makhani – Creamy buttery curry
Step by Step Photos:
Saute the Tofu in a little oil for 2-3 minutes.
Add all the spices and mix and cook for 8-10 minutes.
Meanwhile, collect all the ingredients for the spinach curry and blend them.
The tofu is all seasoned up by now.
Add the spinach puree, mix well and cook for 10-15 minutes.
Drizzle some cashew cream or coconut cream and serve hot.
This popular recipe is also in my cookbook! Now available internationally!
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4.98 from 126 votes
Vegan Palak Tofu "Paneer" - Tofu in Spinach Sauce
This Vegan Palak Tofu Paneer is the easiest and the tastiest dairy-free, gluten-free Saag Tofu. Tofu in Spinach Sauce. Can be made soy-free with chickpea tofu. Ready in 20 Minutes!
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cook Time25 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Course: Main
Cuisine: Gluten-free, Indian, Vegan
Keyword: saag tofu, vegan palak paneer, vegan palak tofu, vegan saag paneer
Servings: 2
Calories: 226kcal
Author: Vegan Richa
Ingredients
Spiced Tofu
- 2 teaspoons oil
- 7 oz (198.45 g) firm tofu block , 1.5 cups cubed tofu, pressed for 10 mins to remove excess moisture and then cubed
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) garam masala
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) garlic powder
- a generous pinch of kala namak , optional, or use 1 tsp nutritional yeast
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) cayenne Or use paprika for less heat
Spinach curry
- 2 cups (60 g) packed Spinach washed, chopped if large, Or 6-8 oz frozen spinach
- 1/4 cup (62.5 ml) water
- 1/4 cup (56.5 ml) almond milk or coconut milk (use less or more for preferred consistency)
- 2 Tablespoons soaked cashews , soaked for 15 minutes or use ground raw cashew (less or more for creamy consistency to preference)
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 1 inch ginger
- 1 Serano chili pepper or to taste
- 1 medium tomato chopped
- 1/4-1/2 tsp (0.25 tsp) salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon raw sugar or maple syrup
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) garam masala , less or more to preference, depends on the freshness of the spice mix and your preference of flavor
- cashew cream, pepper flakes to garnish
Instructions
In a pan, add oil and heat on medium heat. Chop up the tofu and add to the oil. Mix to coat and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add all the spices under Spiced Tofu and mix to coat. (Add 2 tsp nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor if you like) Continue to cook for 8-10 minutes, partially covered on low-medium heat. See video.
Alternatively: Toss the tofu in oil and the spices, spread on parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 400 F for 20 mins for a more paneer-ish texture.
Meanwhile, wash the fresh spinach and add it and all the other ingredients under Spinach curry except garam masala to the blender. Blend into a smooth puree. Add the puree to the sizzling tofu. Mix well. Add garam masala to taste. Cook covered on low-medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until the raw garlic smell is not detectable and desired sauce consistency is achieved. Taste and adjust salt and spice.
Drizzle some cashew cream and Serve hot with Naan, Roti or other flat breads, or with quinoa or rice. Add pepper flakes for added heat. Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon powder for variation.
Video
Notes
Nut-free, use coconut milk or coconut cream instead of almond milk and garnish with coconut cream. Omit cashews
Soy-free : Use chickpea tofu or 1.5 cups cooked chickpeas
Variation:
Reserve some of the crisped tofu to add on top and serve.
You can also use Tempeh to make this. Cook the tempeh with oil for 3 minutes, then add spices under spiced tofu and a 1/2 cup water. Cook covered on low-medium, for 15-20 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed.
Use potatoes and/or cauliflower, and follow steps under spiced tofu. Cook at low heat for 6-8 minutes, then add spinach puree.
If you dont have garam masala spice blend, use curry powder, or use cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon powders and a bay leaf.
Nutritional values based on one serving
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Vegan Palak Tofu "Paneer" - Tofu in Spinach Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 226Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 598mg26%
Potassium 403mg12%
Carbohydrates 14g5%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin A 3540IU71%
Vitamin C 20mg24%
Calcium 208mg21%
Iron 3.3mg18%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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