What is Shahi Paneer

Paneer is a type of fresh cheese that is commonly used in Indian cuisine. Before going into details of Shahi Paneer, we need to know about making paneer. It is made by curdling heated milk with lemon juice or vinegar, and then straining the resulting curds. Paneer has a firm and crumbly texture, and a mild, slightly sweet flavour. Paneer is a popular ingredient in a variety of Indian dishes, such as Matar paneer, Palak paneer, Mughlai paneer, Butter paneer and grilled paneer tikka. Shahi paneer is one of the delicious and rich Indian dishes that combine paneer with a creamy and flavourful gravy made from tomatoes, onions, spices, a paste of cashew nuts, and fresh cream. It is a good source of protein and calcium, and it is a healthy addition to a vegetarian diet. Paneer is a versatile and delicious ingredient that adds a unique taste and texture to many Indian dishes. Here is a simple and easy recipe to make shahi paneer.

Total Serves: 3 to 4 person
Total time to prepare – approx 50 to 60 minutes

Shahi Paneer Ingredients

Before to start making shahi paneer, it’s important to take all the necessary ingredients. The ingredients for making Shahi paneer are as follows:

• • Paneer – 250 grams
  • Tomatoes – 3 to 4  mid size
  • Onion –  2 large
  • Ginger – 1-inch piece approx
  • Garlic – 3 to 4 cloves
  • Cashew nuts – 8 to 10
  • Vegetable Oil or ghee – 2-3 tablespoons
  • Butter – 1 tablespoon
  • Cream – 1/4 cup
  • Turmeric powder – 1/4 teaspoon
  • Red chilli powder – 1/2 teaspoon
  • Coriander powder – 1 teaspoon
  • Cumin powder – 1/2 teaspoon
  • Garam masala powder – 1/2 teaspoon
  • Salt – to taste
  • Sugar – 1/2 teaspoon (if tomatoes are tangy)
  • Water – 1/2 to 1 cup

Few other ingredients that you can take as per your taste like brown crushed cardamom 2, green chili chopped – 1 to 2, milk – half a cup instead of cream, and a half cup of curd but keep in mind the ingredients that we have already taken.

Instructions for making Shahi Paneer

How to make Shahi Paneer

Here are the steps to follow to make delicious Shahi paneer and gather all the ingredients as mentioned above:

Step 1 – Cut the paneer into small or bite-sized pieces and soak them in warm water to keep them soft.

Step 2 – Finely chop the onions, ginger and garlic.

Step 3 – Make smooth tomato puree in a blender, food processor or mixer grinder.

Step 4 – Heat the oil/ghee in a kadhai or a pan and add the chopped onions. Fry them until they turn soft and translucent in low medium flame.

Step 5 – Add the chopped garlic and ginger and fry for a minute.

Step 6 – Add the tomato puree, cook and stir until the oil separates.

Step 7 – Add the spices – cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, turmeric powder, and red chilli powder, mix well and fry for a minute. Keep in mind that spices should not be burnt.

Step 8 – Add water as per the required thickness of gravy, add sugar and salt to the mixture, and let it cook for 4 to 5 minutes on medium flame.

Step 9 – Make a paste of cashew nuts or kharbuja seeds in a grinder.

Step 10 – Finally, add the paneer pieces, cashew nut paste, butter, and cream to the mixture, and let it simmer for a 2-3 more minutes until the gravy thickens and the paneer is heated through.

Final step – After step 10, once gravy remains as required, put off the gas flame. Your Shahi Paneer is ready to serve. You can garnish it with green coriander leaves and fresh cream and it can be served with roti, naan, or rice.

The ingredients are used to make a rich and creamy tomato-based gravy that is flavoured with spices and enriched with cashew nuts and cream. Paneer is added to the gravy towards the end of the cooking process, and it absorbs the flavours of the spices and sauce, making it a delicious and satisfying vegetarian.

“Shahi Paneer is a very good source of protein and calcium for vegetarians”

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