VEG PANEER MASALA

veg paneer masala:

                           Veg paneer masala is basically a north Indian recipe made with choosen veggies and aromatic spices. It is one of the popular vegetarian recipes for  get together  in Indian cuisine.

veg paneer curry

    It is an easy and delicious recipe with rich flavors of spices and paneer . you can serve it with naans, parantha, chapathi or phulka  and even we can also serve with any type of rice items.we don't need much preparation in order to make this dish and it took  only 30 mins to prepare. It is a very healthy recipe as it contains high amounts of milk protein and usage of mixed vegetables.

Ingrediants:

        

• paneer  250 gms
• carrot, capsicum, beans , green peas (each 1/2 cup finely chopped)
• onions 1/2 cup (finely chopped) 
• green chillis 4 to 5 (horizontally sliced)
• ginger garlic paste 1 tsp 
• curd 2 to 3  spoons 
• salt to taste
• red chilli powder 2 tsp
• turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
• oil
• ghee
• masala powder 1 tsp
• coriander powder 2 tsp
• kasurimethi  1 tsp (optional)
• coriander leaves  and curry leaves for garnishing

           For kaju(cashew nut) paste:

• kaju 1/2 cup ( you can also use  peanut instead of kaju)
• onion 1/2 cup 
• tomato 1 cup
•  spinach 1/2 cup (optional)

How to make veg paneer masla?

       preparation of  kaju paste:

1.    In a sauce pan, heat 1 tsp of oil and add 1/2  cup chopped onions, 1 cup chopped tomotoes,  1/2 cup spinach, 1/2 cup kaju and also add 1 tsp of salt and fry it for 3 to 4 mins , then switch off the flame.
2. Here i added spinach in order to give the paste some greenish creamy texture.    
3. Let the mixture to cool and blend the mixture to a fine paste and keep it aside.

          preparation of veg paneer masala: 

1.      Take 250 gms of paneer and cut it into small cubes and fry them in 1 spoon of ghee for a minute or two and take them off to a bowl.
2. Now take a heavy bottom pan, heat 2 tsp of oil and ghee, add finely chopped onions and green chillis and fry them till it gets golden brown.
3. Then, add finely chopped carrot, capsicum, beans and capsicum to the pan and saute till translucent and add 1 tsp of salt, 1 tsp turmeric powder and saute for about 5 mins.
4. Add 1 spoon ginger garlic paste and saute for a minute then add kaju paste and stir it at regular intervals for about 5 mins on a medium flame.
5. Then add 2 spoons of red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp of  masala powder, 2 tsp of coriander powder, 1 tsp kasurumethi and cook it for 1 or 2 min .
6. Then, add 1/2 cup of water and  cook it for another 5 mins till oil starts to seperate from the sides.
7. After masala has thickened a bit and oils starts to seperate from the sides, add fried paneer cubes to the masala and stir, so that the masala coats the paneer cubes evenly.
8. Cook paneer for 1 to 2 mins, then add curry leaves and switch off  the flame.
9. Our veg paneer masala is ready to serve.
10. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve it with naans, parantha, chapathi,phulkas or rice.

 Tips:

• Don't overcook the paneer as it will became rubbery and looses its softness.
• Use kaju instead of peanuts for a rich flavor.
• Add curry leaves at the last as adds fresh flavor to the masala.
• if u like add fresh cream to the gravy for a rich flavor.