TAWA PANEER

The other day I prepared Paneer Tawa Masala with phulkas For brunch. Now a days, I am trying to make special paneer dishes to go with chapatties, away from the routine palak paneer or paneer butter masala. The possibilities with paneer are endless and I always look forward to try new and exciting flavours. Paneer Tawa Masala, is a simple , easy to put together special dish. It is combination Of sweet and tangy flavours with creamy textured sauce.  This recipe is one of the easiest and quick paneer recipe to prepare a semi dry curry which can be cooked in less than 30 minutes. So easy that you can make this when you have unexpected guests at home or you want to cook something easy for dinner after a day’s hard work. Serve this restaurant style vegetarian delight with phulkas or naan.

INGREDIENTS:

 250 gms Paneer [place in warm water for 10 minutes and drain]

1 tablespoon Curd

½ teaspoon Cumin Seeds

½ teaspoon Carom Seeds [ajwain]

1 ½ teaspoon Crushed Kasuri Methi

1 Large Onion Finely Chopped
1 Big Onion Chopped into big chunks

1 Capsicum Chopped into big chunks

2-3 Green Chillies Chopped or Paste

½ “ Ginger, Finely Minced

¼ teaspoon Turmeric Powder

2 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder

2 teaspoon Dry Coriander Powder

1 teaspoon Dry Mango Powder [amchur powder]

½ Cup Tomato Puree

1 tablespoon Fresh Cream

2 teaspoon Lemon Juice

Salt to taste

METHOD:

 STEP 1 – Marinate paneer in curd, ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder,1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder and kasuri methi for 10-15 minutes. [sorry I had forgotten this step, I only shallow fried the paneer without mariantion]

STEP 2 – Heat a pan, drizzle ½ tablespoon oil and shallow fry the paneer pieces for 3 minutes tossing the contents well. Do not burn them. Turn off flame and remove to a plate.

STEP 3 – Heat oil in a heavy bottomed vessel. Once hot add cumin and carom seeds and allow to splutter. Add chopped onions and sauté for 5 minutes.

STEP 4 – Add minced ginger and green chilli paste and sauté for 2 minutes.

STEP 6 - Add tomato puree and cook for 6-7 minutes or till oil separates.

 STEP 5 – Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, green mango powder and dry coriander powder and kasuri methi and mix well.

STEP 6- Add chopped capsicum and onion chunks and mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes till oil separates.

STEP 7 – Add lemon juice to it and cook for a minute. Crush the kasoori methi between your palms and add it.

Then add roasted paneer pieces to the onion-tomato mixture and mix well.

STEP 8 – Add half a cup of water and cook for 5-7 minutes on low flame.

STEP 9 – Add garam masala powder and fresh cream and mix well.

STEP 10 – Remove to a serving bowl and garnish with fresh coriander chopped and serve.

Serve hot Tawa Paneer with chapatti, phulka or any type of paratha and enjoy.

NOTE: Capsicum can be shallow fried and then added like paneer pieces and follow rest of the recipe.