Paneer Butter Masala | An Easy Restaurant style recipe

Hope everyone had awesome holidays.  Its been a while I have posted anything with a lot going on.  First of all a very Happy New year to each and every one of you.  I hope you all had a great New Year.  So today’s recipe is Paneer Butter Masala which has been on my list for a long time. Its not that I haven’t made this in the past but never had a chance where I can take pictures before its all done.

Time is just flying, I can’t believe its 2020 already and 3 weeks have passed by already.  I have been thinking of creating a new post for the past few weeks but there has been some hindrance or the other.


Paneer Butter Masala

So how did it all start?  I haven’t been buying any veggies lately as no one is in the mood for Indian or sometimes short of time and we end up eating a quick fix.  I peaked into my fridge, I didn’t have any veggies or nothing soaked to make for dinner.  I asked my kids what will you have and they are like their usual, “we don’t know”.   I went through my fridge and realized that I have paneer in the freezer.  That’s how it all started.

It was a challenge as I haven’t blogged in over 3 months and kids were hungry and hubby at work.  But like they say where there is a will, there is a way, I guess it proved it correct for me today.  I was very adamant about making the post, bcoz I needed the push. I am glad I did, as this is going to put me back on track.

What is Paneer Butter Masala?

  • paneer cubes are simmered in mildly sweet tomato, cashew-based gravy.
  • The most popular dish at any Indian restaurant
  • can be enjoyed with different Indian pieces of bread or rice

 

What is Paneer?

Paneer is a type of cheese from the Indian sub-continent which is very mild in flavor and is versatile. It is used in sweet and savory dishes.  One of the most favorite ingredients in North Indian dishes.  Also loved by the kids along with the grown-ups when ordering at a restaurant. Vegetarians love it and it is a good source of protein.

It can be easily prepared at home by boiling the milk and adding vinegar or lemon juice to it.  This will help separate the curds from the whey.  If you want to know how to make paneer, click here.  Dishes made with paneer can be enjoyed at any time of the day in the form of appetizer, main or even dessert.

Paneer Butter Masala

Ingredients:

  • 1lb paneer (cubed) used store-bought
  • 3 tbsp cashews
  • 2 small red onions, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1.5-inch ginger
  • 2 green chilies
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 3/4 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp red chili powder
  • 1 small piece of cinnamon stick
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 tsp shah jeera
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp grapeseed oil (optional)
  • cilantro to garnish
  • 1 cup tomato puree
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or beaten sour cream
  • 2 tsp Kasuri methi – dry fenugreek leaves
  • salt to taste

Directions:

In a flat bottom pan, heat a tablespoon of butter along with a teaspoon of oil.  Add shah jeera to it and let it crackles.  Now add chopped onions and saute until translucent.  Then add garlic cloves, ginger, green chilies and cashews to it and let saute for a couple of more minutes.

At this time add tomato puree and mix it well and let it stir for a couple of mins until the raw smell vanishes.   Turn the gas off and let the mixture cool down a bit.  In a blender add the mixture and blend it well to make a puree/paste.

In the same pan add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter.  Let it heat for a couple of mins and then add cinnamon stick and bay leaves to it.  Now add the pureed mixture from the blender and roast the mixture for a few minutes.

Add all the spices which are turmeric, garam masala, salt, paprika, red chili powder. Mix it well.  Add a cup of water and let it come to a boil. Put honey, Kasuri methi and heavy cream or sour cream whatever you are using.  Mix it all together and let it simmer for a couple of minutes.

Your gravy is ready for the Paneer Butter Masala recipe.  In a bowl, of water add paneer cubes and let it sit for 5 mins. Drain the water and paneer is ready to be dunked into the creamy gravy.  Once you add the paneer to the gravy, let it stir for 2-3 minutes only.  Turn the gas off, cover the pan and let it sit for 5-6 minutes.

Garnish it with chopped cilantro and this finger-licking Paneer Butter Masala is ready to be served.  Serve it hot with your favorite naan, roti, jeera rice or tandoori roti along with sliced onions mixed with lemon juice.

Paneer Butter Masala

Other paneer dishes from my blog:  Kadai Paneer,  Matar Paneer, Palak Paneer, Homemade Paneer, Paneer Paratha, Paneer Tikka

 

Pin this finger-licking Paneer Butter Masala recipe for later

Paneer Butter Masala

If you like the recipe, please comment below after you give it a try and share it on Facebook.  Would like to hear from you. Your comments, likes, dislikes, matters to me. Thank you for stopping by!!

Happy Cooking!!!!

Paneer Butter Masala | An Easy Restaurant style recipe

Sarika Gunjal
Paneer Butter Masala is an essential dish which will satisfy your craving for a delicious meal. Enjoy it with your favorite naan, roti or rice.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Veg
Cuisine Indian
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb paneer cubed used store-bought
  • 3 tbsp cashews
  • 2 small red onions chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1.5- inch ginger
  • 2 green chilies
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • ¾ tsp garam masala
  • ½ tsp red chili powder
  • 1 small piece of cinnamon stick
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ½ tsp shah jeera
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp grapeseed oil optional
  • cilantro to garnish
  • 1 cup tomato puree
  • ½ cup heavy cream or beaten sour cream
  • 2 tsp Kasuri methi - dry fenugreek leaves
  • salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a flat bottom pan, heat a tablespoon of butter along with a teaspoon of oil. Add shah jeera to it and let it crackles. Now add chopped onions and saute until translucent. Then add garlic cloves, ginger, green chilies and cashews to it and let saute for a couple of more minutes.
  • At this time add tomato puree and mix it well and let it stir for a couple of mins until the raw smell vanishes. Turn the gas off and let the mixture cool down a bit. In a blender add the mixture and blend it well to make a puree/paste.
  • In the same pan add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Let it heat for a couple of mins and then add cinnamon stick and bay leaves to it. Now add the pureed mixture from the blender and roast the mixture for a few minutes.
  • Add all the spices which are turmeric, garam masala, salt, paprika, red chili powder. Mix it well. Add a cup of water and let it come to a boil. Put honey, Kasuri methi and heavy cream or sour cream whatever you are using. Mix it all together and let it simmer for a couple of minutes.
  • Your gravy is ready for the Paneer Butter Masala recipe. In a bowl, of water add paneer cubes and let it sit for 5 mins. Drain the water and paneer is ready to be dunked into the creamy gravy. Once you add the paneer to the gravy, let it stir for 2-3 minutes only. Turn the gas off, cover the pan and let it sit for 5-6 minutes.
  • Garnish it with chopped cilantro and this finger-licking Paneer Butter Masala is ready to be served. Serve it hot with your favorite naan, roti, jeera rice or tandoori roti along with sliced onions mixed with lemon juice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

comments

6 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Excellent recipe..this gravy can be used with chicken too. Versatile and one of my family’s personal favorites.

  2. 5 stars
    Paneer butter masala is a favourite dish of my son. Now I can make this yummy dish for him. Thanks for the details description.

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