Tawa Paneer

Discover the delectable world of Tawa Paneer, a rich and flavorful Indian dish featuring paneer (cottage cheese) infused with aromatic spices.

Recipe Source Link:https://www.mygingergarlickitchen.com/tawa-paneer/

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RECIPE INGREDIENTS

» For Base Gravy:

• 2-3 tbsp oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2-inch cinnamon stick
• 1 black cardamom
• 2 green cardamom
• 2-3 cloves
• 4-5 black peppercorns
• 6-7 cashew nuts
• 3 medium-sized onions, sliced
• 1-inch ginger, roughly chopped
• 4-5 garlic cloves
• 2-3 green chilies, roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Water, as needed
• 3 medium-sized tomatoes, roughly sliced

» For Sautéing Vegetables:

• 2 teaspoons oil
• 1 medium-sized onion, petals separated
• 1 green bell pepper/capsicum, cut into squares
• 1/4 yellow bell pepper, cut into squares (optional)

» For Main Gravy:

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 3 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 3-4 small-sized green chilies, chopped
• 8-10 ginger juliennes
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 large-sized onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
• Salt, to taste
• 300 grams paneer, diced
• 1 teaspoon tomato ketchup (optional)
• 1 cup prepared gravy (from base gravy)
• 1 tablespoon kasuri methi, roasted and crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• Handful of fresh coriander, chopped
• 1-2 tablespoons grated paneer, for garnish
• Spring onion greens, for garnish

RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS

» Preparing the Base Gravy:

1. Heat 2-3 tablespoons of oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, black cardamom, cloves, black peppercorns, and green cardamom. Sauté until they release their aroma. Add cashew nuts and sauté for a few seconds. Next, add sliced onions and sauté for 1 minute. Then add ginger, garlic, and green chilies, and sauté until the onions turn translucent and golden.
2. Now, add the red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, and salt. Mix well. Add 1/4 cup of water, mix well, and cook for a couple of minutes. Add roughly sliced tomatoes and cook for a minute. Add 1/2 cup of water, mix well. Cover the pan with a lid and cook over medium-low flame for 4-5 minutes or until the tomatoes become soft.
3. Once the tomatoes are soft, remove the bay leaf and cinnamon stick, and let the mixture cool down. Then add it to a blender or food processor and blend it into a smooth paste. You can add some water if needed. We need this kind of smooth consistency. Keep it aside.

» Sautéing Vegetables:

1. In a separate pan, heat 2 teaspoons of oil. Add onion petals, green bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper (if using). Sauté until they become slightly tender. Keep them aside for later use.

» Preparing the Main Gravy:

1. In the same pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Add cumin seeds and sauté for a few seconds. Next, add chopped green chilies and ginger juliennes and sauté for a minute. Add the chopped onions and sauté until the spices are cooked.
2. Then add 1 tablespoon of butter to the center. Also, add turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, and salt. Mix well and cook for a couple of minutes. Pour in 1 cup of the prepared base gravy. Stir well and simmer for a few minutes until the flavors meld together.
3. Optionally, add tomato ketchup for a slightly tangy flavor and mix. Then add kasuri methi, garam masala, and a pinch of sugar (if desired). Mix well and cook for a few more minutes. Add the sautéed vegetables and mix well. Then, add the diced paneer and mix gently. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Lastly, add 1 tablespoon of butter, a handful of fresh coriander, and toss.
4. Garnish the Tawa Paneer with chopped coriander, spring onion greens, and grated paneer. Enjoy your delicious hot tawa paneer with naan, roti, or rice!

RECIPE NOTES

1. This recipe makes a slightly hot recipe, but feel free to adjust the amount of red chili powder and other spices according to your taste.
2. To avoid burning and sticking, and to promote even cooking, you need to use a heavy-bottomed pan or kadhai.
3. If you follow a vegan diet, then you can try making a vegan variation of this dish. To make it vegan, swap paneer with the same amount of tofu.
4. To make it creamier, you can add some fresh cream at the end of the cooking process.