Kadai Paneer Masala - Paneer / Cottage Cheese is an all time favorite at our place, Especially the kids just cant get enough of it. This amazing 'restaurant style' paneer recipe was borrowed by a good friend. It is one of the yummiest paneer gravies I have had, So I just had to try and make it!I also gave it a charcoal smoke , which gave it an amazing flavour, and it was really cool to do (was trying it for the first time! but will def do it more often!) Do try this recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below.
Kadai Paneer Masala Serves - 4-5 Duration - 40 mins
Ingredients
Paneer / Cottage cheese - 200 grams
Onion - 1 medium
Tomato - 3 medium
Almonds - 8 no.s
Cashews - 8 nos.
Oil - 2 tbsp + 2tbsp
Ginger garlic paste - 1tsp
Coriander powder - 1tbsp
Green chillies - 3nos
Chilli powder - 1-2 tsp
Haldi - 1/2 tsp
Salt - to taste
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
Kasuri methi /fenugreek leaves - 1 tbsp (crushed)
Cream - 2 tbsp
Coriander leaves - handful ( chopped)
Ketchup - 1- 2 tsp
Sugar - 1tsp
Method -
Boil Water in a pan, Once it comes to boil, remove from heat , and add the paneer pieces. This helps in making the paneer really soft.
In a wok, add 2 tbsp oil, then add 1 chopped onion, almond (peeled) and cashews , saute, add chopped tomatoes, and saute till it gets dry.Remove from heat, and let it cool.
Once it cools, grind it into a paste.
Heat 2 tbsp of oil, add ginger garlic paste, green chillies, coriander powderand saute.
Add the onion tomato paste, saute.
Add salt, red chilli powder and haldi, mix well.
Add the crushed kasuri methi, ketchup, cream, and sugar . mix well.
add 1/2 cup water and let it simmer.
Now add the paneer pieces. and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
Keep a small steel bowl on the paneer masala gravy, light a small piece of charcoal, and put it inside the steel bowl, add a few drops of oil, once smoke starts coming from it, close the lid for 10 mins. Once done remove the steel bowl.
Serve hot with naan/ roti or any bread of your choice.