Kadai paneer is a simple yet flavorful recipe which is prepared by cooking paneer and bell peppers/capsicum in a onion and tomato gravy with a special spice powder called as “kadai masala” which adds a unique taste and flavor to the dish. Kadai paneer is usually served with roti, naan or even with jeera rice. The other variation of this recipe is the kadai paneer dry recipe which can be prepared using the same method without adding any water.
Preparation time – 15 min
Cooking time – 40 min
Servings – 4 to 6
Ingredients:
Required for kadai masala :
Coriander seeds/whole dhania – 1 tsp
Cumin seeds/jeera – 1 tsp
Whole Red chili – 1
Fennel seeds – 1/2 tsp
Black peppercorns – 5
Green cardamon – 2
Cloves – 3
Star anise – a small piece
Other ingredients:
Paneer – 500 grams, cubed into pieces
Onions – 2 medium sized, (1 roughly chopped and other one cubed into pieces)
Tomatoes – 2 medium, chopped
Ginger – 1/2 inch
Garlic – 4
Cashews – 5
Green chili – 2, sliced
Bay leaf – 2
Green bell peppers/capsicum – 2, cubed into pieces
Salt – as per taste
Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
Red chili powder – 1 tsp or as required
Coriander powder – 1 tsp
Amchur powder – 1/4 tsp or as required
Cream – 4 tbsp
kasoori methi/dry fenugreek leaves – 1/4 tsp
Coriander leaves – 3 tbsp
Tomato ketchup – 1 tbsp
Oil – 3 tbsp
Preparation:
1. Firstly, dry roast all the ingredients listed under the “Kadai masala” well on a slow flame. Fry them till they turn aromatic. Allow it to cool down and make it into a coarse powder. Set it aside. This kadai masala will be used later in this preparation.
2. Heat one tbsp of oil in a pan. To that add chopped onions, 4 garlic cloves, ginger 1/2 inch. Fry them on a medium flame till onions turns golden in color.
3. Now add in chopped tomatoes and cashews. Saute for few seconds and cover it. Let it get cooked well on a medium flame for 3 to 5 min. Switch off the flame once the tomatoes turns nice and soft. Cool completely and blend everything to a smooth paste and set aside.
4. Keeping the flame on low, in a pan add in 2 tbsp of oil. Now add in bay leaf & green chili. Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, amchur powder and saute for 2 to 3 seconds.
5. Now add the blended onion and tomato paste and mix. Saute well on a medium flame till oil is released from the sides. Now add in cubed green bell peppers/ capsicum, cubed onion and mix. Add water according to your consistency and mix. Cover and let it get cooked for 3 to 5 minutes.
6. Further add salt as per taste, tomato ketchup, kasoori methi/dry fenugreek leaves, prepared kadai masala and mix. Add in cubed paneer pieces and mix. Cover it and simmer for 5 minutes till paneer absorbs all the flavors.
7. At last, add cilantro/coriander leaves, cream and mix well.
Check out other paneer recipes like Shahi paneer, Mutter paneer, Palak paneer, Chili paneer, Tandoori paneer tikka from our blog and Enjoy great food!!
Serve the hot Kadai paneer with naan or roti.
