Tawa Paneer

Tawa Paneer Recipe - semi-dry paneer dish made with cottage cheese aka paneer, onions, capsicum and tomatoes. This is restaurant style paneer tawa masala.

As the name says paneer tawa masala, it is made on tawa or tava only. I was not sure how to explain so I looked into wiki. Tawa is a large, flat or concave or convex disc-shaped frying pan. I usually use it for making Indian flat breads like paratha or roti.

It is not must to use tawa. You can use wide pan as well. As you can see in the steps below, I have not used traditional tawa. Because the one I have is smaller in size. I cannot make two portions in that. So I have used large non stick pan which resembles tawa.

For making tawa paneer, I have marinated the paneer pieces. And then sauteed on tawa. For the marination, I have used kashmiri red chili powder. Hence you see the paneer pieces has bright red color.

Check out other paneer recipes
Paneer jalfrezi  //  Paneer do pyaza  //  Paneer bhurji  //  Paneer tikka

Step By Step Photo Instructions:

1) First marinate the paneer. Take red chili powder, turmeric powder and salt in a bowl.

2) Add lemon juice.

3) Mix well and make paste.

4) Add paneer cubed. Stir well and coat the paneer pieces with the spice paste. The best way to mix is use your hand. Keep it aside and let it marinate for 20-30 minutes.

5) Meanwhile prep other ingredients. Then caramelize the onions. For that heat one tablespoon of oil in a tawa. Once hot add onions.

6) Cook and stir occasionally. So onions do not get burn.

7) Cook till it gets dark brown in color.

8) Remove it to a plate and keep it aside.

9) In the same tawa on medium heat, add another one tablespoon of oil. Once oil is hot, add paneer pieces and saute.

10) Flip them once they get slight color on one side. Do not overcook it.

11) Remove it to a plate and keep it aside.

12) Now wipe the tawa clean with paper towel. Heat the butter in the tawa.

13) As soon as butter is melted, add cumin seeds. let them sizzle a bit.

14) Add chopped tomatoes.

15) Mix well and sprinkle salt.

16) Cook till tomatoes are soft.

17) Now mash the softened tomatoes using potato masher.

18) It will be more pulpy and cook till fat starts to ooze out from sides.

19) Add capsicum.

20) Mix well.

21) Also add ginger paste and green chilies.

22) Mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes.

23) Add red chili powder, cumin powder and garam masala.

24) Stir well, If it looks too dry then add splash of water. So spices do not get burn. Cook for a minute.

25) Add caramelized onions and sauteed paneer.

26) Mix very gently, so everything is coated to paneer well.

27) Lastly add chopped cilantro.

28) Again mix and turn off the stove.

Paneer tawa masala is ready to serve. If you make it and do share your feedback in comments below.

Serving suggestions: Tawa paneer can be served with roti, paratha or naan. This is semi-dry paneer dish, so not recommended to serve with rice. Or you can have it as a starter as such, just have fork and some green chutney on side.

Did you try this tawa paneer recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a review in the comment section below.