Paneer Masala
Paneer Masala is an easy-to-make curry where paneer cubes are simmered in an onion-tomato-based spicy gravy. It can be paired with Indian bread or jeera rice. Make this curry using my easy recipe.
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 30 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
- 14 oz paneer (400 g, cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 2 green cardamoms (hari elaichi) (crushed)
- 2-3 clove (laung) (crushed)
- 5-6 black peppercorns (kali mirch) (crushed)
- 1 inch piece of cinnamon stick (dalchini) (crushed)
- 3-4 whole dry red chilies
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/4 tsp asafetida (hing)
- 1 cup finely chopped onions
- 2 tsp ginger garlic paste
- 2 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp garam masala powder
- 2 tbsp roasted besan (chickpea flour, gram flour)
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1 cup grated tomatoes
- 2-3 green chilies (slit into half)
- 2 tbsp crushed Kasuri methi
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro (fresh coriander leaves)
Instructions
- 1
Rinse paneer slabs and cut them into 1-inch pieces.
- 2
Mix the paneer pieces with salt, chili powder, and turmeric powder in a large mixing bowl and keep aside for 15 minutes.
- 3
Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- 4
Arrange the paneer on the pan in a single layer and fry from all sides until browned.
- 5
Note – Fry in batches if the paneer pieces are not fitting in a single layer.
- 6
Remove the paneer from the pan and keep it aside.
- 7
Add oil and ghee to the same pan and heat over medium-high heat.
- 8
Once the oil is hot, add cardamoms, cloves, black peppercorns, cinnamon, dry red chilies, cumin seeds, and asafetida, and fry for 5-6 seconds.
- 9
Add onions and fry until it turns slightly brown (6-8 minutes), stirring frequently.
- 10
Add ginger garlic paste and fry until the onions are nicely browned (6-8 minutes), stirring frequently.
- 11
Now add coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin powder, garam masala powder, besan, and, salt, and fry for 10-12 seconds.
- 12
Add tomatoes and green chilies and cook until the oil starts to separate from the sides of the pan (3-4 minutes), stirring frequently.
- 13
Now add 1 cup of water, fried paneer pieces, and Kasuri methi, and mix well. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring a few times in between.
- 14
Finally, add lime juice and cilantro and mix well.
- 15
Check for salt and add more if needed.
- 16
Serve hot with roti.