Paneer Makhani

This dish is a favorite for my whole family. I have made it for some potlucks as well, and my friends have liked it too. It involves some simple steps and little patience. Goes well with rice and roti.

Once you make this dish, your kids and family members will ask you to make this dish again and again. You no need to go to a restaurant in order to enjoy this kind of dish.

Servings : 4

Ingredients:

1. Onion – 3/4 cup (roughly chopped)
2. Garlic – 3 pods (big, roughly chopped)
3. Ginger – 1 inch piece (roughly chopped)
4. Tomatoes – 1/2 cup (roughly chopped)
5. Cinnamon stick – 2 inches
6. Cloves – 4
7. Butter – 1 tablespoon
8. Oil – 2 tablespoons
9. Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon
10. Chilli powder – 1 teaspoon (very spicy one)
11. Garam masala – 1 teaspoon
12. Salt – as required
13. Heavy cream – 1/4 cup
14. Paneer cubes – 1 cup
15. Kasuri methi – 1 teaspoon

Method:

1. First, heat oil in a pan, add the chopped onions, garlic, ginger and saute on medium heat for 10 minutes. The onions should be sauteed as shown below.

2. Then add the tomatoes and saute until they turn mushy.

3. Allow the onion tomato mixture to cool down. Then transfer it to a blender along with little water and blend to a smooth consistency. Pour the pureed gravy back into the same pan and add cinnamon sticks, cloves, butter, turmeric powder, chilli powder, garam masala powder, 3/4 cup water. Mix everything well and simmer for about 15 minutes.

4. Now add heavy cream, kasuri methi and simmer for 5 more minutes.

5. In the meanwhile shallow fry the paneer cubes for about 3 minutes in less oil and keep it ready. Add the fried paneer cubes to the above gravy and switch off the heat.

In the below picture, i have not fried the paneer cubes. But it tastes good and does not looses its shape if fried.

6. Garnish with little cream and kasuri methi on top. Serve hot with rotis or rice.