Dhaba style paneer masala

Paneer can be made into different styles, with gravy, bhurji, palak paneer, paneer makhni and so on.

Today we have tried making dhaba style paneer and enjoyed the process.

It's a flavourful side dish and your family will surely like it.

The recipe for dhaba style paneer is bit time consuming.

Ingredients

400 Grams fresh cubed paneer pieces

2 large tomatoes(chopped and coarsely ground)

3 medium sized onions (chopped and coarsely ground)

A small piece ginger grated

3-4 cloves of garlic(chopped)

2 tablespoons of coriander, chopped

Spices for tempering

3-4 green cardamom

4 cloves

1 inch cinnamon broken into small pieces

2 tablespoon peanut oil/butter/ghee

(I used butter)

Dry masala powders

1 tsp kashmiri lal mirch

1/2 tsp kasuri methi

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1/2 tsp crushed peppercorns

1 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp jeera powder

1/2 tsp garam masala

Dry masala for marinating paneer

1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp degi mirch(kashmiri lal mirch)

1/2 tsp salt

4 tablespoon curd

Method

*In a bowl add paneer, garam masala,degi mirch, curd and salt, mix well, keep aside for about half an hour.

* Wash, peel and chop onion, garlic and tomatoes. Make coarse puree with onions and tomatoes. Keep aside. 

*Grate ginger

* In a thick bottomed pan pour oil/ghee/butter. Add jeera, green cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. Allow it to emit it's aroma. 

*Add coarse onion puree, cook it until it's golden brown, add dry masala powders, mix well, cook further, add coarse tomato puree, mix well, close lid cook it for about 3 minutes.

*Now keep the flame high cook for another 5 minutes. Add chopped coriander leaves.

You will notice the ghee/oil/butter is coming out of the gravy.  

*In the meanwhile, In another pan add ghee, quickly mix in the marinated paneer for 3 minutes, the paneer will turn into extremely soft in texture

*Add the paneer to the onion tomato masala. Mix well. Adjust salt if needed.

*Mix well, let paneer be coated with the masalas, cook for two minutes. Off stove.

*Garnish with chopped coriander leaves

*Serve with naan, garlic naan, roti or rice.

I am sure you will enjoy this absolutely delicious dhaba style paneer masala..

*Notes

*Make the dhaba style paneer masala just before serving as the taste of got, soft paneer taste good when it's served immediately. 

* Make sure you use fresh paneer for best results.