003 - Paneer Butter Masala - Presenting the King of Curries

The Thought

I would consider this as the king of all north indian based curries. There are very few people who have not tasted this. But there are very few people who have actually prepared this.

REASON:

This curry strikes fear in most amateur cooks. The complexity in its preparation and the care that must be portrayed in preparing this dish may result in most cooks not even attempting to try cooking it. But in reality, this happens to be a very simple dish to cook. Find out How! 

Ingredients:

1. Paneer ¼ Kg
2. Onions 3-4
3. Cashews – Broken – 20 odd
4. Green Chillies - 3
5. Tomatoes 4
6. Ginger
7. Garlic
8. Turmeric powder 1 tsp
9. Orange Red Color – Very Little
10. Garam masala – ½ Tsp
11. Salt to taste
12. Butter – 1 Tsp
13. Kasuri Methi
14. Capsicum – 1 Large
15. Oil – Enough to fry Paneer
16. Jeera
17. Mustard
18. LOTS OF LOVE!

How to Cook!

• Boil Tomatoes using an oven or a bowl of water on the stove. Ideally cut them slightly before you put them into the water. Once you feel the firmness is lost, you could separate them into the grinder and create a tomato puree. Leave small chunks just to add in the flavor to the complete curry

• Create your cashew nut paste by simply grinding cashew nuts and water in a mixie. In the unavailability of cashew nuts, you could also use magaj or also known as watermelon white seeds.

• Cut the onions into quarters and create paste out of them using the mixie. No need for adding water here considering the fresh onions do have a little bit of moisture themselves. You could also consider putting the Ginger and garlic along with these onions. Grind till fine paste

• Collect oil to slightly fry the rectangular shaped paneer. This gives the paneer the crispness and does not break off when you stir during the process of making the curry

Most people would say you could create a puree with tomatoes, onions, garlic and ginger together. But I would suggest you do them separately to retain their respective flavors.

What next!

1. Take a large pan. Place some oil. Have the Chillies, mustard, jeera & a few cashews sautéed. Add the capsicum which is chopped into squares after a few seconds. Let them cook for a while
2. Now add the tomato puree and let it boil for a while before you add the onion paste and the cashewnut paste. Stir well.
3. Now add the spice powders of Jeera, Garam masala, Coriander, pepper and also the orange red food color. This gives the entire curry the spicy aroma and kicks in a lot of taste.
4. Add the slightly fried paneer and stir with care
5. Garnish it with Kasuri methi or coriander leaves which are chopped. Spread the butter on the top
6. Enjoy!

Best Eaten with

• Rotis
• Chapati’s
• Naan
• Plain Rice

Most people believe that this curry is complex in preparation and avoid even attempting to prepare it. Now you know how simple this could get even in preparation!

Do try this and let me know your thoughts

Warm Regards

Karthik “Foodie” GB

www.ideasforfood.blogspot.com