Kadahi Paneer

Introduction:

Paneer dishes are very common to find in the menu of any restaurants.It stands out as a favourite option for most vegetarians especially in North India.Paneer can form part of salads,starters,main course ,accompaniments and desserts too,hence its versatility . Kadahi paneer is a mildly spiced dish cooked in onion and tomato based gravy.It is a semi dry preparation cooked in a kadahi,hence name kadahi paneer. It is usually eaten with flat breads like paratha,naan or chapati.

Recipe

Ingredients:

400 gm paneer/cottage cheese cut into 1″cubes
1 large onion finely chopped / grated
1 tbsp ginger and garlic paste
3 medium tomatoes finely chopped
2 medium sized capsicum cut into 1″ squares
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp kashmiri chili powder
2 tsp coriander powder
salt to taste
2 tbsp dry kasuri methi (dry fenugreek leaves)
1/2 cup cream (optional)
Whole spices(cloves,cinnamon,black pepper,green cardamom)
3/4 tsp blend of 1 nutmeg, 1 blade mace, 2″ cinnamon ,1 star anise and 6 green cardamom
oil/ghee (clarified butter)

Method:

Fry the paneer cubes till their edges are light golden . Do not over fry them as it will make paneer chewy. You may also use paneer without frying or can simply pan sear.
Saute or may even deep fry the capsicum on high heat for 3-4 minutes ,such that its colour is retained and is almost 70 % cooked.Drain on tissue paper.
Heat oil or clarified butter in a pan .
Add whole spices and let them crackle.
Add chopped onions and fry them till golden brown in colour.
Add in the ginger and garlic paste and fry till its rawness is gone.
Add turmeric powder,red chili powder,coriander powder and give them a quick stir.
Toss in the chopped tomatoes,some salt and cook till tomatoes are soft and the spice mixture starts leaving oil.
Now add the dry kasuri methi leaves and 3/4 tsp of spice blend.Mix well and toss in the paneer and capsicum.
Adjust the salt and mix well.You may add 1/2 cup of water to adjust the consistency of the gravy.Simmer for few minutes.
Mix in the cream. It is optional so you may serve as it is garnished with fresh coriander along with paratha,naan or chapati and enjoy !