7 Dhaba-Style Paneer Dishes You Can Prepare At Home
Image Credit: Paneer Dish | Image Credit: Freepik.com

There are several fans of the food available in the roadside dhaba. From savoury dishes to sweet desserts, dhaba-style foods that their unique taste and flavour. You’ll often find a small dhaba serving the most delicious food you have had in your lifetime. The beauty of the dhaba-style food is that it resonates with the essence of rustic charm and robust flavours.  

When it comes to vegetarian dishes, dhabas don’t fail to light up the heart and soul of a foodie. Talking of vegetarian delicacies, nothing can beat the paneer dishes that are made in the dhaba. Paneer is a versatile and beloved ingredient that stands out in the hearty dishes prepared by dhaba, offering a unique taste experience. Oftentimes, you may crave dhaba-style paneer dishes, but don’t feel like visiting one, you can easily make the dishes at home.  

Here is a list of the most popular dhaba-style dishes that you can easily make at home. Take a look:  

  • Paneer Butter Masala  

This is known as a staple at dhabas across India. To make this rich and creamy dish, start by sauteing onions, tomatoes, ginger, and garlic until they are soft. Blend it into a smooth paste. In a pan, heat butter and add the paste along with spices like turmeric, red chilli powder, and garam masala. Add cashew paste and cook until the oil separates from the mixture. Lastly, add the panner cubes and simmer until the flavours are absorbed into it. Garnish with fresh cream and coriander leaves.   

  • Dhaba Style Paneer Tikka  

This is a popular Indian appetiser that can be easily made at home. The smoky, spicy, and irresistible flavour makes dhaba-style paneer tikka can also be prepared at home. Here the paneer cubes are marinated in a mixture made of yoghurt ginger-garlic paste, red chilli powder, turmeric, garam masala and mustard oil. Allow the paneer to get marinated for at least an hour. Skewer the marinated paneer pieces along with onions, and bell peppers and grill them until charred and cooked through. Serve with mint chutney for an authentic dhaba style.  

  • Paneer Bhurji  

This is a quick and easy recipe that can be easily made for a perfect breakfast or a light meal. To prepare this, you must crumble paneer and set it aside. In a pan, heat oil and saute onions, green chillies, and tomatoes. Ass spices like turmeric, red chilli powder and cook until the tomatoes are soft and mushy. Add the crumbled paneer and cook for a few minutes until everything is well combined. Lastly, garnish with coriander leaves and serve with paratha or toast.  

  • Paneer Do Pyaza  

As the name suggests, this dish is characterised by the generous use of onions. Start by frying paneer cubes until golden brown and set aside. In the same pan, saute onions (both sliced and cubes), until they turn translucent. Add ginger-garlic paste, green chillies, and spices like coriander powder, cumin powder, and garam masala.  Add tomatoes and cook until the oil separates. Lastly, add the fried paneer and some water and allow it to simmer. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.  

  • Kadhai Paneer  

Kadhai paneer is a spicy and tangy dish that is cooked in kadhai, an Indian wok. All you need to do is dry roast and grind spices like coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and dried red chillies to make a fresh masala. Now take a kadhai and heat the oil. Saute the onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Add ginger-garlic paste and freshly ground masala. Cook till the oil separates. Add the paneer cubes and the water and simmer until the flavour melds. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and pair it with naan or rice.  

  • Shahi Paneer  

As the name suggests, shahi paneer is a royal dish that is rich, creamy, and mildly spicy. To prepare this, saute onions, cashews, and tomatoes until soft. Blend all of them into a smooth paste. In a pan, heat ghee and add the paste along with spices like turmeric, red chilli powder, and garam masala. Add cream and milk and cook till the gravy thickens. Add the paneer cubes and allow them to simmer in the gravy. Garnish with fresh cream and silvers of almonds. 

  

  • Palak Paneer  

This dhaba-style palak panner is a nutritious and flavourful dish where the paneer is cooked with spinach. To prepare this dish, you need to blanch and puree fresh spinach. Then heat oil in a pan and saute onions, ginger, and garlic till golden. Add the tomatoes and cook until it is soft and then pour the spinach puree into it. Add paneer cubes and a bit of cream and cook until everything is well combined. Season with garam masala and serve with rice or naan.