PANEER MASALA

PANEER MASALA


In most vegetarian households in India, especially in the urban areas, paneer or Indian cottage cheese is a popular ingredient. We too use paneer from time to time at home.

Elsewhere in this blog, you will find a variety of recipes using paneer, such as the healthy version of Paneer Lababdar, the versatile Paneer Paratha. and the dessert from Bengal called Paneer Payesh.

Today's recipe is for a paneer dish that goes great with rotis. It is adapted from this YouTube video for Paneer Masala from Tarlaji Dalal.

Ingredients:-

• Paneer ( Indian Cottage Cheese), 200 gms
• Tomatoes, finely chopped, 1 cup
• Fresh Cream, 1/2 cup
• Water, 1/2 cup 
• Salt, to taste
• Oil, 1 tbsp
• Coriander Leaves, finely chopped, for garnish

For the Masala:- 

• Onions, roughly chopped, 3/4 cup
• Poppy Seeds, (Khus Khus),  2 tsp
• Coconut Gratings, 1 tbsp
• Cinnamon Stick of 1 " length,  1
• Cloves, (Laung), 2
• Peppercorns, 6
• Byadgi Red Chillies, broken into pieces, 5 to 6
• Coriander Seeds, 3 tsp 
• Cumin Seeds, 1 and 1/2 tsp
• Garlic Cloves, 3 
• Water, 2 tbsp 

Method:-

Cut the paneer into cubes
In a mixer jar, grind together all the ingredients listed under " For The Masala" to form a smooth paste/masala
Heat oil in a thick-bottomed kadhai  and on medium heat add the prepared masala and cook for 2 minutes stirring from time to time till the raw smell goes

To this, add the finely chopped tomatoes , mix well and cook on medium flame for 2-3 minutes stirring occasionally

Next , add the fresh cream , 1/2 cup of water and salt

Mix well and cook on medium flame for 5-6 minutes stirring from time to time 

Lastly, add the paneer cubes and mix gently so that they don't break off
Cook on medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes and switch off the gas

Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and transfer the Paneer Masala to a serving bowl
Serve hot with parathas