Paneer Butter Masala | Party style

Let's talk about Paneer Butter Masala today. Not just any kind, the kind that you get in Indian restaurants. Why? Its one of most wanted recipes for almost all of us once in a while.

Sundar likes it so much so do I. Little girl comes frequently to pick a piece of the paneer from the masala. When you hit the search button for paneer butter masala, you get pages and pages of recipe. Almost all will be similar, but not all will give you the taste from the restaurant. 

In most Indian restaurants, dishes are more creamy and have thicker gravy. The reason is very simple - they use cream. Also they use food colors for most of the dishes to get the rich color. When I cook on day to day basis, I do not appreciate both the above. But when you prepare for the party, use of cream enhances the taste.



Paneer Butter Masala


You need:

Paneer - 8 oz or 2 cups
Onion - 1 medium-sized finely chopped
Ginger-garlic paste - 1 Tbsp
Coriander powder - 1 Tbsp
Garam masala - 1 tsp
Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
Tomato paste- 1 tbsp (or 2 tomatoes chopped)
ketchup - 1 tbsp ( if you like the sweetness in the gravy)
Kasuri methi - a pinch

Cream - 1 cup ( or whole milk)
Oil - 3 tbsp
Salt - to taste

 Chop the paneer nicely into bite size cubes or any other size of your choice.

Add 2 tbsp oil to a hot pan and swirl around until the base of the pan is well coated. Add in cubed paneer pieces.

Oops! Here comes our little champ! He is always beside me with my gadgets as his toys.

Slightly fry the paneer cubes until golden brown on all sides. Set aside until we complete the rest of the procedure.

 Add a tsp oil to a pan and saute the finely chopped onion.

Fry until golden brown. To this, add the ginger-garlic paste. Fry for a minute or until the rawness goes off.

To this, add  coriander powder, chilli powder, garam masala and salt as required. Fry for 30 seconds until the masalas are well combined.

Next add the tomato paste or add chopped tomatoes of 2 large ones, like me. I never keep tomato paste with me. You can either grind tomatoes and add. Or just add choppped ones and grind them finally.

Add couple of pieces of cloves. Next we need tomato ketchup or tomato sauce.

 Now, blend this mixture nicely. or grind it in your mixer.

 Add your kasuri methi next. A generous pinch of this needs to go in.

 Now, add the sauteed paneer cubes to the gravy.

Meanwhile, reveal the master taste enhancer, the CREAM! You can also use ordinary cream instead of heavy cream. Or you cane try the half and half too!

Mix well and simmer on low fire for 3-4 mins. Adjust salt.

This is most sought out paneer recipe. And cooking the masala this way, will never let you down esp., in a party. They are rich, creamy, and lesser in Hot!