Paneer Masala Recipe


This is my way of making paneer masala and it is one my favorite recipes. This paneer dish is so delicious and easy to make. The spice level of this recipe is medium hot, you can decrease/increase the spice level by reducing/adding the quantity of peppercorns and red chili powder.

Recipe
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings : 4
Ingredients
  • 200 or 250 grams paneer 
  • 2 Tbsp oil
  • Spices: 1 green cardamom, 4 cloves, 1 bayleaf, 1 small cinnamon stick, 4 peppercorns, ¼ tsp fennel seeds, ½ tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 tsp ginger and garlic paste
  •  3 medium tomatoes, roughly chopped 
  • 1 Tbsp tomato sauce/ketchup/paste
  • 8 cashew nuts
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric powder 
  • 1½ tsp red chili powder/cayenne powder
  • ½ tsp garam masala/shahi paneer masala
  • Salt as required
  • ¾ cup water + more
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp chopped garlic
  • 1 chopped green chili
  • 2 tsp chopped onion
  • 2 tsp chopped cilantro
  • ½ tsp kasuri methi(optional)
Instructions
  • Heat oil in a pan, add the spices and sliced onion to the oil on medium heat. Saute for 2 minutes.
  • Add ginger and garlic paste, saute until raw smell is gone.
  • Add chopped tomatoes, tomato ketchup and cashew nuts. Stir well and close it with a lid. Cook for 10 minutes.
  • Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala/shahi paneer masala and salt. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
  • Turn off the heat and let it cool. Remove the bay leaf, blend the slightly cooled mixture in a blender/grinder into a fine paste by adding 3/4 cup water. Set this aside.
  • In a pan, add butter and let it melt on medium heat. Add chopped garlic, chopped green chili and chopped onion to the pan. Do not burn the garlic.
  • Now add the blended paste to the pan, stir it and close it with a lid. Let it cook for 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and carefully remove the lid to avoid the splattering of mixture. Add more water to adjust the consistency. Turn on the heat and bring it to boil.
  • Now add paneer cubes. Cover and cook on low heat for 5 minutes. Garnish with kasuri methi and chopped cilantro. Check the taste, adjust the seasoning.
  • Enjoy it with flatbread/rice/naan/chapathi or even as pizza topping.
Tips
    If using frozen paneer block/cubes - microwave them for 90 seconds, discard the liquid from it and add the paneer cubes to the prepared gravy.

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