Name: Afghani paneer masala recipe by Swathi Joshnaa Sathish at BetterButter
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 5
Ingredients: Cottage cheese / paneer 350grams; yogurt 100 grams; Onion medium sized chopped 2; Ripe red tomatoes big sized 3 grated to a purée form; Almond 15; Poppy seeds 1 tablespoon; Cinnamon sticks medium sized 2; Cumin seeds 1 tablespoon; Green chillies 2 finely chopped ( optional ); Red chilli powder 1 tablespoon; Garam masala 1 teaspoon; Sugar 2 teaspoons; Milk 1/4 glass; Salt as required; Ghee 2 tablespoons; Cilantros freshly chopped 3 tablespoons

ABOUT Afghani paneer masala RECIPE

A finger -licking , rich dish from Afghan cuisine . Cottage cheese marinated in flavourful freshly ground masala , grilled so perfectly . The grilled paneer cubes added to the creamy curry makes this an outclass dish . Enjoy this Afghani paneer Masala with mild pilafs or flat breads .

Ingredients Serving: 5

Cottage cheese / paneer 350grams
yogurt 100 grams
Onion medium sized chopped 2
Ripe red tomatoes big sized 3 grated to a purée form
Almond 15
Poppy seeds 1 tablespoon
Cinnamon sticks medium sized 2
Cumin seeds 1 tablespoon
Green chillies 2 finely chopped ( optional )
Red chilli powder 1 tablespoon
Garam masala 1 teaspoon
Sugar 2 teaspoons
Milk 1/4 glass
Salt as required
Ghee 2 tablespoons
Cilantros freshly chopped 3 tablespoons

Instructions

In a blender , take poppy seeds , cumin seeds , almonds . Grind all into a fine powder .
In a wide bowl , add yogurt, half spoon Garam Masala , half spoon red chilli powder , half salt , ground powder , chopped green chillies . Drop the paneer cubes in it and mix all together so that the paneer cubes are masala coated.
Let these marinated paneer cubes rest for 20 minutes for better masala absorption .
After 20 minutes , heat ghee in a grill pan .
Place the marinated paneer pieces on the hot ghee and grill for few minutes by flipping either sides .
Before transferring the grilled paneer cubes to a plate , cook them for few seconds directly on the stove fire to get the smoky grilled effect and flavour which enhances the taste of the gravy .
See that you don’t burn the paneer cubes while grilling directly on the stove top .
Coming to the gravy , heat a tablespoon ghee in a wide pan .
Add cinnamon sticks .
Add the chopped onions and sauté till brown .
Add the grated tomato purée . Allow to cook for few minutes till the raw smell vanishes .
Add the remaining salt . Garam Masala powder and red chilli powder . Allow to cook and combine .
Once the gravy is done , pour milk . Simmer the flame .
Slow cook under low flame till the gravy thickens .
Add the grilled paneer cubes .
Switch off the flame .
Garnish with freshly chopped cilantros.
Serve hot with flat breads / pilafs .

Similar Recipes