Shahi Paneer

Other than eating paneer butter masala at restaurants in India, I never knew about any other preparation made out of paneer until one of my friends got us introduced to this Shahi Paneer dish. Paneer has now become our family’s favorite ingredient, and its appearance occurs at least twice a month. This could be easily made to restaurant’s quality (at home), even when you are pressed on time.

Shahi means Royal in Urdu, and Paneer is the name given to Indian cottage cheese. Indian cottage cheese is much firmer than the cottage cheese that we get here in the US. Paneer happens to be one of the main sources of protein for vegetarians in India. Let’s see how it’s made.

                                    

Ingredients:

Paneer cubes	1 Cup
Red Onion finely chopped (Medium-Size)	1
Green bell pepper finely diced	1
Tomato Paste	1 Tbsp.
Ginger finely chopped	1 Tsp.
Cashew nuts	5-8
Milk	½ Cup
Kasoori Methi	1 Tsp.
Green chili	1
Red chili powder	½ Tsp.
Shahi Paneer Masala (store-bought)	1 Tsp.
Salt	As needed
Oil	2 Tbsp.
Cilantro	Few sprigs
Jeera	1 Tsp.

Method:

Heat a pan with oil. Saute jeera, ginger, green chili, and onions until golden brown.

Add green bell pepper, the star ingredient that pairs well with paneer.

Next - add tomato paste with 1 cup water. Let it simmer on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Then add salt, red chili powder, and 1 tsp. shahi paneer masala.

.Let it cook for 5 to 10 minutes until the raw flavor of spices goes away. Then add ground cashew nut powder. When it becomes shiny, add milk and kasoori methi.

When you get a desired consistency, add paneer. Finally garnish with cilantro.

Tips that I follow for this recipe

•          If using store-bought paneer, as soon as I buy, I cut into cubes and refrigerate or freeze it depending on when I plan to make .This way, it helps in thawing the desired quantity quickly by dissolving the paneer in warm water.

• If making ahead, make the gravy in advance and refrigerate it. While serving the dish thin out the gravy by adding water as it tends to thicken with time. Add paneer and let it simmer for 10 minutes on low flame and serve it hot.