RestaurantStyle - Kadhai Paneer Masala

 
Turn your kitchen into a North Indian dhaba: soft cheese cubes and crunchy capsicum , bathe in freshly grounded kadhai masala. Serve with butter nan, cumin rice or piping-hot roti for an authentic taste.

Ingredients:

 For Homemade Kadhai masala : 

• 2 tablespoons coriander seeds  
• 1 teaspoon cumin  
• 1 tsp fennel seeds  
• 1 tsp black pepper seeds  
• 4 dried red chilies  
• 2 green cardamom pods  
• 1 small cinnamon stick  
• 2 cloves  

  For Paneer  Gravy:

• 250g cheese (Indian cottage cheese) 
• 1 large onion, finely chopped  
• 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped  
• 1 large green capsicum
• 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste  
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil  
• 1 tablespoon butter (or ghee)  
• 1 tsp Turmeric powder  
• 1 tsp kashmiri red chilli powder  
• 1/2 cup water  
• 1 teaspoon fresh cream   
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp Kasuri methi(dried fenugreek leaves)  
• Salt, to taste  
• Freshly  chopped cilantro

 Method:

1. Dry roast and grind :
• In a skillet on medium heat, toast all the kadhai masala spices until aromatic . 
• Cool slightly, then grind coarse. Set one side.
2. Sauté aromatics:  
• Take a pan,  heat the oil and  butter in a heavy pan .  Now, add the onion and cook until soft and translucent.  
• Stir in ginger garlic paste;  stir for  1 minute.
3. Spice :
• Add all powder spices like, turmeric, chili powder and your fresh grounded kadhai masala.  Cook until the oil is separated from the masala.
4. Make Tomato Gravy : 
• Toss in Chopped Tomatoes. Cook on medium heat until the tomatoes are soft . 
• Pour 1 cup of water, season with salt and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
5. Char the paneer and capsicum :
• In a separate pan, pour a little oil and add paneer cubes and capsicum and fry until golden brown. Fold them in the gravy.
6. Finish and decoration : 
• Add in cream , garam masala and crushed fenugreek.  Simmer 1-2 minutes more to marry flavors.  
• Close the heat, sprinkle the chopped cilantro .

 Tips and Variations:

• Dairy Free Twist: Swap Cream and  Butter for Full fat Coconut Milk.  
• Additional heat: Add 1-2 chopped green chillies or more dried chilies to your spices.  
• Semidry Version: Leave water in Step 4 and Cream for Stir fry Style.  
• Nutty prosperity: Mix 4-5 cashews with onions before adding tomatoes.  
• Pre made Spice: Roast/Grind your spices in advance.