Paneer Masala Recipe - A different method of making paneer curry or gravy. Usual 'bhuno - saute' technique is not used here, so it is QUICK to make. The gravy is made from onion-tomato-yogurt and some spices.
Different method for making paneer masala
The method or procedure of making this paneer masala gravy is different than usual paneer gravy. Usually, we saute the onion-tomato puree till oil leaves from the sides. This method is called ‘Bhuno’. This requires too much cooking time. But for this recipe, no bhuno technique is used. Hence, it is quick to make.
Even though we are not sauteing the onion-tomato puree, the flavors and taste of the gravy is still delicious. Trust me. Try this once, I am sure you will love this.
In the bhuno method, we saute the tomato puree for a long time, so gravy usually gets the concentrated flavors of tomato. But here to get that similar flavors we are adding a tiny amount of tomato ketchup. It works like a charm.
To thicken the gravy, cornstarch slurry is added. Because of this slurry, you won’t have the runny watery part in your plate separating from the gravy.
The spices used are regular and usual. No fancy ingredients needed.
As usual heavy cream aka malai is added at the end just like any other paneer dish to make it rich and creamy.
How to make Paneer Masala recipe?
1) Heat the ghee in a pan on medium heat. Once hot add black cardamom. Saute for a minute, you will get a nice aroma of it.
2) Add chopped onion, ginger, garlic, and green chili. Sprinkle some salt on it to speed up the process.
3) Mix well and cook.
4) Cook till onions get translucent.
5) Add chopped tomatoes.
6) Mix and cook till tomatoes are soft and slightly mushy.
7) Add plain yogurt.
8) Mix immediately and cook a minute. Turn off the stove. Let the mixture cool down a bit. Then Make smooth puree into blender or grinder.
9) Pour the prepared puree back into the pan.
10) Add water to make the gravy consistency. Simmer for 3-4 minutes.
11) While it is simmering, Prepare the cornflour slurry. In a small bowl, mix corn flour and water. Add it to the gravy. and stir well.
12) Add remaining salt, red chili powder, black pepper powder, and garam masala.
13) Mix well and simmer for 2 minutes.
14) Add ketchup and mix.
15) Mix in paneer cubes.
16) Add crushed kasoori methi and stir.
17) Add heavy whipping cream.
18) Mix well. Turn off the stove.
19) Lastly, add chopped cilantro leaves.
20) Mix well and paneer masala curry is ready to serve.
Serving suggestion: Serve paneer curry with naan, paratha, kulcha or tandoori roti. Serve some sliced onion, lemon wedges and salted lassi on the side. It can be served with plain rice or jeera rice as well.
📋 Recipe Card
Paneer masala recipe (Paneer Curry Recipe)
Ingredients
To saute and grind into paste:
- 1 tablespoons Ghee (Clarified butter)
- 1 Black cardamom
- 1 medium or ¾ cup Red onion roughly chopped
- ½ inch Ginger
- 2 cloves Garlic roughly chopped
- 1 Green chili
- Salt to taste
- 2 large or 1 ½ cups Tomato roughly chopped
- ¼ cup Plain yogurt
For paneer masala recipe:
- 7 oz or 200 grams Paneer cut into cubes
- 1 teaspoon Corn flour (corn starch) dissolved in 1 tablespoon of water
- Salt to taste
- Water as needed to make gravy consistency
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons Red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon Garam masala
- 2 teaspoons Tomato Ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Kasoori methi (Dried fenugreek leaves) lightly crushed between your palm
- 3-4 tablespoons Heavy whipping cream or fresh cream or malai
- 2 tablespoons Cilantro or coriander leaves finely chopped
Instructions
Making paste:
- Heat the ghee in a pan on medium heat and add black cardamom. Saute for a minute.
- Add chopped onion, ginger, garlic and green chili along with some salt and cook till onions are soft.
- Mix in chopped tomatoes and cook till they are soft and slightly mushy.
- Stir in whisked yogurt and turn off the stove
- Once mixture cools down make smooth puree into blender or grinder.
Making Paneer Masala Curry Recipe:
- Heat the prepared puree back into the pan along with water to make gravy.
- Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes on medium heat.
- Meantime in a small bowl, mix corn flour and water. Add it to the gravy and mix.
- Mix in remaining salt, red chili powder, black pepper powder and garam masala, cook for 2 minutes
- Add ketchup, paneer, kasuri methi and whipping cream, mix very well.
- Cook for 2 minutes then turn off the stove.
- Lastly add chopped cilantro leaves.
Rajendra
Nice recipe, will try it once
Kanan
sure. Happy cooking !!!
Urvashi
Hello in this recipe you have not mentioned any garlic ..but in the photos at # 2 it looks like cut up pieces of garlic, I made this dish twice without garlic turned out good a bit sour so I added honey and some sugar. .But please let me know if garlic is needed or can we add it ..thanks
Kanan
Thank you for catching it, I missed to mention the garlic. I have used garlic in the recipe, I have updated the recipe now.
Try to use the ripe tomatoes to avoid the sour taste. Also make sure that yogurt is not sour. If it is sour than reduce the amount
Urvashi
ok thanks for letting me know and giving advice of sourness of tomatoes and yogurt I do use ripe and little amt of yogurt still sour but when I add yogurt nd sugar it tastes like the restaurant one following the rest of your ingredients tastes really good. and quick and easy to make! thanks!
Urvashi
* I mean honey and sugar.