Description: Shahi Paneer is a very popular typical North Indian curry dish. It is made of rich creamy gravy with cottage cheese and Indian spices. It is commonly available in North Indian restaurants and is served with Tandoori roti, Naan bread or paratha. This dish can also be paired up with rice if you are not a big fan of bread. Shahi means royal and Paneer is cottage cheese and so this name suggests it is a royal paneer dish originated from the Mughlai cuisine. Addition of cream, whole spices, and saffron is what makes this dish rich and royal. Enjoy this dish which is enriched with rich flavours and treasured spices!
Ingredients:
For tomato purée:
- 1 tbsp butter/1 tbsp oil
- 2 chopped onions
- 4 chopped tomatoes
- 5 cloves garlic
- 2 inch chopped ginger
- 4 pods cardamom
- 3 pods black cardamom
- 2 inch cinnamon
- 5 cloves
- 2 cups water
- 2 tsp salt.
For curry:
- 1 tbsp butter
- 20 big cubes paneer / cottage cheese
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 tsp kashmiri red chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 cup cream
- 1 tsp crushed kasuri methi
- 1 tsp garam masala
- few threads of saffron (optional)
Servings
4
Instructions
Heat 1 tbsp butter or oil on a hot pan and saute cardamom, cinnamon and cloves. Add onion, garlic, ginger and saute for a few more minutes until onions are soft and translucent. Now add tomatoes and salt and saute further for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add 2 cups of water, mix well and cover and boil for 15-20 minutes until tomatoes are softened completely. Set it aside to cool.
Blend to a smooth paste without adding any water. Sieve the puree and get rid of the residue. Keep aside.
Heat 1 tbsp butter in a large pan and saute cumin and bay leaves for a few seconds. Add turmeric and chilli powder and saute for a few more seconds. Add in the prepared tomato puree and cream and mix well.
Add paneer cubes, saffron and mix well. Simmer for a few minutes until everything is combined well and flavours are absorbed.
Add garam masala, kasuri methi and mix well. Enjoy shahi paneer with paratha, tandoori roti or garlic naan.
