PANEER BUTTER MASALA

Cottage cheese is commonly referred as paneer in India. It is very popular, non melting , unsalted cheese and is used in many dishes.  Health benefits of paneer is they are high protein food, is easy to digest,is a good source of Calcium so good for our bones.

Tomatoes are sweet,juicy and delicious. They are fat free and low in calories and have vitamin C. I learnt this recipe from my mom.

Paneer butter masala is a very popular and delicious  Punjabi dish, paneer is cooked in thick tomato gravy.The recipe is very easy to prepare.

INGREDIENTS

Paneer /cottage cheese 100-150 gm

Onion 1 medium

Tomatoes 3-4 no.s

Bayleaf 1 no.

Garlic 5-6 cloves

Cinnamon 1 inch

Cardamom 2 no.

Cloves 2 no. 

Green chillies 2 slit

Garam masala powder 1 tsp

Cashew nuts 8-10 no.

Butter and oil/ ghee/ refined oil 1 tbsp

METHOD

Take a Pan/ kadai and heat  1/2 tbsp butter and oil/ ghee /oil and add onions and cloves and saute them till onion slightly changes colour, add the tomatoes and saute till tomatoes becomes soft.Add the cahew nuts and turn off the heat. Keep it aside to cool. Once it cools down grind it finely.

Take a Pan / kadai add 1/2 tbsp and heat butter and oil/ ghee/ oil  add bay leaf, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and saute for a minute . On low heat add the ground paste and green chillies and cover it and cook  for 8 to 10 minutes occasionally stirring them. Add salt. If the gravy is too thick add water and cook on slow fire. 

Add the paneer cubes and gram masala into the gravy and cook for 5 minutes more. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve hot with naan/ roti/ jeera rice.

Note. If you want it spicy can add chilli powder , and for taste 1 tbsp of fresh cream can be added.