Paneer Makhani- Indian cottage cheese cooked in creamy gravy | TummyKhush

Paneer is a universally favourite food item. The taste and texture of Paneer or the Indian Cottage Cheese is so yummy that many people make it a compulsary item to eat when going to a restaurant. But I personally have stopped ordering Paneer dishes in restaurants coz the gravy is so spicy that it masks the delicate flavour the paneer. And who can miss the colours ranging from green to orange added to the dishes.:(. So i try learning to make these dishes at home. And one of the simplest dishes I have come across is the Paneer Makhani. It is quite easy to make provided you can lay your hands on a pack of cream. Amul sells tetra packed cream and I personally liked it. So you can grab a pack on your next visit to your super market or store.

This time when i tried making Paneer Makhani I marinaded the pieces in a mix of spices and curd. This ensured that the pieces were soft and flavourful. You can try this method if you have enough time. But then, well, if you are pressed for time, just skip the marination part and follow the rest of the procedure

For serving two people roughly, you would require

Paneer: 125 gms (half of the stanard paneer cake available in the market)

For the marinade:

Curd: 4-5tbsp

Salt: as per taste

Chilli powder: as per taste

Dhania/coriander powder:1/4 tsp

Jeera/cumin powder:1/4 tsp

Kasuri methi- 1 tsp

Small green chilli – 1 finely chopped

Finely chopped coriander leaves :  1 tbsp

For the main dish:

Oil/butter : 2 to 3 tbsp or as per requirement

Green chillies : 2 to 3 slit length wise

Tomatoes : 2 to 3 (medium sized)

Turmeric : a pinch

Cream – 1/2 cup

Chopped coriander: for garnish.

Method:

Chop that Paneer into 1 inch cubes. Mix the cubes with all the mariande ingredients and place in the fridge for 2 to 3 hours or atleast for half an hour.

Boil water in a dish with some salt added to it. When the water starts to boil add the tomatoes. The water should be enough to submerge the tomatoes. After the tomatoes boil in water for a minute, remove from the water and place them under the cold water for sometime. This stops the cooking process and retains the colour of the tomatoes. This process is called blanching.

Once the tomatoes cool down, remove the skin and grind in a mixer to smooth consistency and keep aside.

Now heat oil/butter in a kadhai. Add the green chillies to it and fry for a minute. Now add the tomato puree and fry till the tomatoes are well cooked and the moisture escapes.

Add turmeric and allow to cook. Turmeric gives a lovely golden hue to the dish.

To this mixture, add the cream, bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Now to add the paneer pieces along with the marinade mixture and cook for a few minutes.

If you are not marinading the mixute, then add dhania powder, jeera powder, garam masala powder and salt at the stage where the tomatop puree is cooked. Check seasoning. To this mixture add the cream and cook well. (You can skip the curd if you are not interested).

Check seasoning and adjust salt and chilli powder according to taste. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with rotis, chapatis, pulao or rice