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Paneer or cottage cheese holds an iconic place in Indian cuisine, being one of the most readily available and in-demand vegetarian sources of protein. The dairy product is also very versatile, finding application in a host of dishes, including salads, sandwiches, crispy pakoras, and succulent gravies. Every big Indian feast or celebration is bound to have a paneer-based item as it is an excellent vegetarian alternative to meats, such as chicken and mutton. Some of the most celebrated Indian paneer dishes include 'paneer makhani,' which is a twist on the legendary butter chicken, as well as paneer masala.
In the recent years, another paneer-based gravy dish, kadai paneer, has taken the culinary world by storm. What sets kadai paneer apart from classics like paneer makhani and paneer masala is that it tends to be spicier than the latter. It is no surprise that India is a spice-loving nation, so it’s hardly a wonder that kadai paneer is such a big hit. In fact, a kadai paneer recipe that went viral on YouTube with a staggering 5.7 million views. Uploaded on “Rajshri Food” account which boasts over 3 million subscribers, this kadai paneer recipe is truly special.
The video is narrated in great detail by home chef Ruchi Bharani, who also demonstrates the cooking of the dish. She begins preparing the dish by assembling a mix of spices, including coriander seeds, fennel seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, cardamom, and peppercorn in a non-stick pan. These spices are dry-roasted for about a minute; after they have cooled down, Ruchi grinds them in a mixer. Then, Ruchi is shown to sauté chopped onions till they assume a golden brown colour. She also adds chopped tomatoes to the sautéed onions, and blends the mixture till it becomes nice and soft.
Image Credits: By Yummy O Yummy - Kadai Paneer, CC BY 2.0/Wikimedia Commons
Subsequently, Ruchi combines the vegetable mixture with the spices, adds raw mango powder, and grinds all the ingredients. After the first round of grinding, she adds water to the mixture and grinds the blend again, producing a rich and creamy puree. Next, Ruchi mixes butter, ginger paste and garlic paste in a pan. Green chillies, baby onions, green capsicums, the masala puree, and water are introduced in the buttery mixture to cook. Lastly, paneer cubes are added to the masala; after mixing them thoroughly Ruchi adds final touches to the dish by sprinkling salt and coriander on top.
Ruchi’s homemade kadai paneer dish received glowing reviews from the viewers of the video. A lot of viewers who attempted the recipe, lauded its delicious taste and vibrant flavours. So jazz up your next dinner party with this delectable kadai paneer recipe. After all, it is difficult to go wrong with such a classic combination of flavours and ingredients.
