Paneer Butter Masala Recipe

 

Paneer Butter Masala is a popular North Indian dish that is made with soft cubes of paneer cooked in a creamy tomato-based sauce. It is a rich and flavorful vegetarian dish that is perfect for any occasion.

Here is a simple recipe to prepare paneer butter masala at home:

Ingredients:

• 200g paneer, cut into cubes
• 3 medium-sized chopped tomatoes

• 1 chopped onion
• 2-3 chopped garlic cloves 

• 1 small chopped ginger, 

• 1 chopped green chili

• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 1 tablespoon of oil
• 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
• 2-3 cloves
• 2-3 green cardamoms
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon of red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon of garam masala powder
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 cup of cream
• 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh coriander leaves

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, cloves, green cardamoms, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf. Let them splutter for a few seconds.

2. Add chopped onions, ginger, garlic, and green chili to the pan. Saute until the onions turn translucent.

3. Add chopped tomatoes to the pan and cook until they turn soft and mushy.

4. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool down completely.

5. Once cooled, remove the bay leaf and blend the mixture into a smooth paste.

6. In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat.

7. Add the tomato-onion paste to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes.

8. Add red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and garam masala powder to the pan. Mix well and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

9. Add salt and cream to the pan. Mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes.

10. Add paneer cubes to the pan and gently mix everything together.

11. Let the paneer cook in the sauce for 2-3 minutes.

12. Turn off the heat and garnish with chopped fresh coriander leaves.

13. Serve hot with naan, roti, or rice.

Tips:

• To make the paneer softer, you can soak it in warm water for 15-20 minutes before using it in the recipe.

• You can adjust the amount of cream as per your preference. If you want a lighter version, you can skip the cream or use milk instead.

• You can also add some kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) to the dish for extra flavor. Just crush a few leaves between your palms and sprinkle them over the dish before serving.

In conclusion, Paneer Butter Masala is a delicious and easy-to-make food that can be prepared at home with few ingredients. By following the above-mentioned steps, you can easily prepare this flavorful dish. Enjoy!