Kadhai Paneer – Indian Vegetarian Recipes

Kadhai paneer is a special vegetarian recipe filled with crunchy vegetables covered with spicy chatpata tomato sauce and creamy paneer. It goes well with any soft Flat Indian Bread.

Serves – 2 to 3
Preparation time – 10 mins
Cooking time – 15 mins
Ingredients –

For Tomato Puree:

• Tomatoes (blanched, peeled) – 3 no
• Kashmiri Chillies (blanched, discard seeds) – 3 or to taste

For Masala Powder:

• Coriander Seeds – 1 tsp
• Cumin Seeds – 1/2 tsp
• Peppercorns – 10 or to taste
• Kashmiri Chillies – 5 or to taste

For Gravy:

• Oil – 3 Tbsp
• Onion (cubes) – 1/2 medium
• Tomato (deseeded) – 1 no
• Ginger Garlic Paste – 1 Tbsp
• Capcicum/ Bell Peppers (chunks) – 1/2 medium
• Paneer (Cubed) – 200 gms or 1 1/2 Cup
• Sugar – 1 tsp or to taste
• Salt – to taste
• Dry Fenugreek Leaf Powder – 1/2 tsp
• Garam Masala powder – 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric Powder  – pinch
• Fresh cream – 3 Tbsp

Process:

• Blend Tomatoes, blanched chillies to a smooth puree. Set aside.
• In a skillet heat 1 tsp of oil and dry roast cumin seeds, coriander seeds, dry red chillies, peppercorns till fragrant and slightly golden brown.
• Remove from pan. Cool the spices completely and grind to a coarse powder. Set it aside.
• In the same pan add 1 tsp of oil and fry the paneer for 2 mins or until slightly firm. Set the fried paneer aside.
• For preparing the gravy, add remaining oil and heat till warm. Add ginger and Garlic Paste and fry till aromatic and raw smell disappears.
• Add the coarsely ground powder, turmeric powder followed by onion, tomatoes, peppers, garam masala powder. Toss the vegetables for just 2 mins
• Add in the tomato puree. Mix well with vegetables.
• Add in  salt, sugar, fenugreek leaves, fried paneer. Mix well and cook for 2 more mins. Top it off with cream and turn off the heat.
• Serve with Indian Flat bread of your choice.