Shahi paneer is a mouth watering dish made of paneer. The paneer recipe has a  thick gravy made up of tomatoes, cream and spices. This mouthwatering cusine originated in Punjab but has become popular all over the country. Mainly eaten with chappati or other breads, you can also eat it with rice.

Ingredients

400 grams Paneer (cottage cheese)

2 large Onion

2 tbsp Oil

3 Cloves

4 or 5 Black peppercorns

2 one inch sticks of Cinnamon

1 Bay leaf

2 slit Green Chillies

1 tsp Ginger paste

1 tsp Garlic paste

1/4 cup Cashewnut paste

1/2 cup Yogurt

1/2 cup Cream

1/2 tsp Garam masala powder

A pinch of Saffron (kesar)

1/4 tsp Green cardamom powder

Salt according to taste

Method

Step 1: First cut the paneer or cottage cheese into one inch long and half inch wide pieces. Take a vessel and boil the onions in quarter cup of water. When done drain the water and allow to cool. Now make a fine paste.

Step 2: Take a kadai and heat oil into it. Add the cinnamons, cloves, peppercorns and bay leaf, and saute till you can smell the fragrance of the spices. Then add green chillies and boiled onion paste and cook for three to four minutes on low heat.

Step 3: Now add the ginger and garlic paste and cook for 30 seconds. After this its time to add the cashewnut paste and cook for two more minutes.

Step 4: Now you can add the yogurt and simmer till the water from the yogurt evaporates. Add saffron, cream, garam masala powder and salt. When done add the cut paneer and stir gently. When the paneer is done sprinkle green cardamom powder.

Yummy Shahi Paneer is ready to serve. It tastes better when served hot.

(Picture Source: images.mapsofindia.com )

(AW: Pratima Tigga)