Shahi Paneer

Time to try something new with Paneer. We were out for deepavali celebration with friends. So had time to experiment only on Saturday nite after we came back home. Shahi paneer is one of my favorite paneer delicacies which I order often when I'm in an Indian restaurant. After having read many blogs & recipes in the books I've, I prepared it by following the method below.

Ingredients: -

250 gm Paneer, cut into cubes

2 tbsp butter

1 big onion, finely chopped

1" piece ginger, finely chopped

2 green chillies or according to taste, finely chopped

2 medium sized tomatoes, finely chopped

2 tsp tomato puree for extra richness

2 tsp cardamom powder

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/4 cup beaten curd

1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp red chili powder

1/2 tsp garam masala

Almonds, blanched, sliced & fried

Coriander

Salt

Method: -

1. Heat little butter in a pan.

2. Add the paneer cubes & fry very carefully by turning the cubes once in every 20 seconds. If needed add extra butter to prevent the cubes from becoming hard.

3. When the edges of the cubes start turning golden yellow, remove the cubes from the pan & transfer them to a cup containing little warm water. This is done to retain the softness of the paneer.
4. After 5 minutes drain the water.

5. In the same pan heat the remaining butter.

6. Add onion, ginger, green chili, turmeric & cardamom.

7. Saute till the onion starts to sweat.

8. Add chili powder & garam masala.

9. Add tomatoes & cook for 7-8 minutes, by covering the pan with a lid.

10. Then add curds & cook for another 5 minutes.

11. Add 1/2 cup water & remove from fire.

12. Let the mixture cool down completely.

13. Grind it to get a smooth gravy.

14. Transfer the gravy into the pan & bring it to boil to get the desired thickness.

15. Add milk & fried paneer cubes. Mix well.

16. Garnish with chopped coriander & almonds.