Paneer butter masala is a very popular and delicious Punjabi dish, paneer is cooked in thick tomato gravy. The recipe is very easy to prepare.
Cottage cheese is commonly referred as paneer in India. It is very popular, non melting , unsalted cheese and is used in many dishes. Health benefits of paneer is they are high protein food, is easy to digest,is a good source of Calcium so good for our bones.
Tomatoes are sweet,juicy and delicious. They are fat free and low in calories and have vitamin C.
INGREDIENTS
FOR PANEER MARINATION
- Hung curd 2 tbsp
- Ginger garlic 1 tsp
- Garam masala 1 tsp
- Chilli powder 1 tsp
- Salt to taste
- Paneer cut in cubes (prepared from 1 litre milk)
FOR THE GRAVY
- Kasoori methi 2 tsp
- Ginger garlic paste 1 tsp
- Tomato puree 1/2 cup
- Butter 1 tbsp
- Cardamom 3
- Mace a small piece
- Black cardamom 1/2
- Kashmiri chilli powder 1 tbsp
- Fresh cream 1 tbsp
- Sugar 1 tsp
- Salt to taste
OTHER INGREDIENTS
- Butter 1 tbsp
- Charcoal a small piece
- Ghee 1 tsp
METHOD
Mix all ingredients under paneer marinade nicely excepting paneer.
After a good mix add paneer and coat nicely with masala and marinade for 1 hour.
In a tawa add butter , add the marinated paneer and cook on low heat. Turn gently and cook till all liquid evaporates. Turn off heat.
Heat a charcoal and keep on a small bowl ,add ghee and keep in centre of tawa with paneer and close the lid for 10 minutes. The paneer will have a tandoor flavour.
In a deep frying pan add butter, cardamom, mace saute for a minute on low heat. Add ginger garlic paste saute for a minute.
Add the tomato puree , simmer and cook for 3 minutes.
Turn off heat, cool it.
After it cools down blend it a fine smooth paste.
Heat a deep frying pan and add the smooth tomato puree , add 1 to 2 cups of water according to what consistency u need. Cook till it comes to a boil on low heat.
Once boil comes add the paneer and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add matsuri methi and fresh cream, mix and turn off heat.
Serve hot with phulkas ,naan or any Indian bread.