Paneer Butter Masala

Author: Abhilash Kumar

Recipe type: Main, side dish, appetizer

Prep time : 10 mins

Cook time : 30 mins

        When it comes to a vegetarian dish nothing comes into my mind before paneer butter masala, there are different variants of this dish available throughout India. This one i got from one of my close friend, who is a chef in well recognized Hotel. I thought to share it with you all. 

                 Pic. courtesy to Google.

Serves : 4 Servings.

Ingredients :

• 200 or 250 gm paneer cheese, cubed or diced.
• 2 tbsp cashew – soaked if you have time and then ground with some water to a smooth paste. if less time, then just grind the cashews to a smooth paste.
• 4-5 medium size tomatoes – pureed.
• 1 or 2 green chili, slit. (reserve a few for garnishing)
• 1 inch ginger and 3-4 garlic – crushed or ground in a mortar & pestle.
• 1 inch ginger – julienne. (reserve a few for garnishing)
• 1 tbsp oil + 1 or 2 tbsp butter.
• 1 tsp kasuri methi/dry methi leaves.
• ½ tsp red chili powder.
• 1 tsp garam masala or tandoori masala.
• 1 bay leaf.
• 1.5 cups water.
• A few coriander/cilantro leaves for garnishing.
• salt and sugar as required.

Instructions :

• Heat oil and butter in a pan.
• Add bay leaf and fry for some 10-15 seconds or till the oil become fragrant.
• Add ginger-garlic paste and fry till the raw aroma disappears.
• Add the tomato puree and stir well.
• Add red chili powder after 2-3 mins and stir again.
• Saute till the oil starts to leave the sides of the tomato paste.
• Add cashew paste and stir well.
• Saute the cashew paste till the oil begins to leave the sides of the masala paste.
• Add water and stir.
• Simmer on a low flame.
• Add julienne ginger and green chilies, salt and sugar and simmer till the curry begins to thicken.
• Add the paneer cubes and cook them for 2-3 minutes till they become soft.
• Don’t cook for a long time as the paneer will become dense.
• Lastly add crushed kasuri methi/dry fenugreek leaves & garam masala. stir.
• Garnish with coriander leaves and serve paneer butter masala hot with plain naan, garlic naan, rotis or steamed basmati or jeera rice. side accompaniments can be onion-lemon salad or some pickle.