Description
Kadai paneer brings spicy North Indian comfort straight to your dinner table, blending tender cheese cubes with a fiery tomato-based gravy that dances with aromatic spices. Simmered to perfection, this dish delivers rich flavor that turns an ordinary meal into a memorable feast perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 250 grams paneer
- 2 onions
- 3 tomatoes
- 1 capsicum
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon kadai masala
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon chilli powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 2 teaspoons cumin
Cooking Base and Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 teaspoons ghee
- 2 tablespoons cream
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 inch ginger
- 3 dried red chilli
- 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
- 2 teaspoons fennel
- 2 teaspoons pepper
- 1 teaspoon kasuri methi
- 2 tablespoons coriander (chopped)
- 1 inch ginger (julienne cut)
Instructions
- Toast 2 tbsp coriander seeds, 2 tsp cumin, 2 tsp fennel, 2 tsp pepper, and 3 dried red chillies in a dry skillet at medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Grind the roasted spices into a fine powder for your fresh kadai masala.
- Warm 2 tbsp oil and 2 tsp ghee in a kadai over medium heat. Drop 1 tsp cumin seeds and let them sizzle for 30 seconds. Add 5 finely chopped garlic cloves and 1 inch chopped ginger. Sauté for 45 seconds until your kitchen fills with an aromatic scent.
- Introduce 2 finely chopped onions and cook until they turn golden, about 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle ½ tsp turmeric, 1 tsp chilli powder, and 1 tbsp of your freshly ground kadai masala. Stir continuously.
- Add 3 chopped tomatoes and cook for 5-6 minutes at medium-low heat. Press and mash tomatoes to create a thick, rich sauce that separates from the oil.
- Pour 2 tbsp cream into the mixture. Season with 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp crushed kasuri methi, and 2 tbsp chopped coriander. Simmer for 2 minutes, stirring gently.
- Heat 2 tsp oil in a separate pan at high heat. Quickly stir-fry chopped onions, capsicum, tomatoes, and paneer cubes for 2-3 minutes until edges turn slightly crisp.
- Fold the stir-fried vegetables and paneer into your simmering gravy. Mix carefully to coat everything evenly.
- Garnish with julienned ginger strips and extra fresh coriander. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Freshly grinding spices for Kadai Masala dramatically boosts the flavor compared to pre-ground spices, so take the extra time to toast and grind whole spices.
- Controlling heat while sautéing prevents burning and ensures each ingredient develops deep, complex flavors without becoming bitter.
- Stir-frying vegetables and paneer separately helps maintain their crisp texture and prevents them from becoming soggy when added to the final gravy.
- For a protein-rich vegetarian version, replace paneer with tofu or add roasted cashews for extra crunch and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 to 6
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg