Description
Garlic paneer brings sizzling North Indian street food right to your kitchen, packed with bold spices that dance on your taste buds. Crispy cheese cubes tossed in fiery garlic masala will make your next gathering seriously delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1¼ cups paneer
- 6 large garlic cloves
- 5–6 dried red chilies
Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons oil
- ½ cup finely chopped onions
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Seasoning and Garnish:
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- Fresh coriander leaves
- 1 small strand of mace
Instructions
- Crush 6 garlic cloves and 5-6 deseeded dried red chilies into a paste with 1 teaspoon sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vinegar, and 2 tablespoons water using a blender until smooth.
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a pan at medium temperature (around 350°F). Sprinkle ½ teaspoon cumin seeds until they sizzle.
- Add ½ cup finely chopped onions to the pan and sauté for 3-4 minutes until they turn golden brown and translucent.
- Pour the prepared garlic-chili paste into the pan. Stir continuously for 2 minutes until the mixture becomes fragrant and oil starts separating.
- Gently add 1¼ cups diced paneer cubes to the spicy sauce. Toss carefully to coat each piece evenly.
- Optional: Drizzle 1 tablespoon soy sauce and a small splash of water to create a glossy consistency.
- Cook the paneer for 2-3 minutes at medium heat, ensuring it warms through and absorbs the sauce completely.
- Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with fresh chopped coriander leaves or finely sliced celery.
Notes
- Keep paneer soft by not overcooking, as it can become rubbery and tough when heated too long.
- Marinate paneer cubes in the garlic-chili sauce for 15-20 minutes before cooking to enhance deeper flavor absorption.
- Use fresh paneer for the best texture and mild taste, which helps balance the spicy garlic sauce.
- For a lighter version, consider grilling or baking paneer cubes instead of pan-frying to reduce oil content.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg