Shahi Paneer, Indian Cottage cheese recipe/ How to make shahi paneer

Shahi Paneer is a very famous and royal dish , frequently being served at any special occasion, either its home or a big gathering. This popular north Indian recipe  made with cottage cheese and thick tomato based gravy.In this recipe cashew nut and full fat fresh cream is used to bring the royal and rich texture and flavor. Paneer is cooked in mildly spiced creamy gravy. I did not fry the paneer in ghee or oil before adding in gravy, just soaked paneer cubes in boiling water for 2 minutes.

Preparaton time:- 30 minutes
Servings:- 4
Ingredients:-

• Paneer- 250 grams
• Onion - 2 medium size
• Tomato- 2 medium size
• Cashew nut- 8-10
• Full fat cream- 2 tablespoon
• Coriander powder- 1/2 tsp
• Kashmiri red chilly powder- 1 tsp
• Green cardamoms- 2
• Cloves- 2
• Bay leaf-1
• Cinnamon stick 1/2 inch
• Ginger garlic paste - 1tsp
• Garam masala-1/4 tsp
• Cooking oil- 2table spoons
• Kasuri methi 1 tsp
• Salt - to taste or 11/2 tsp
• Green coriander leaves- 2 table spoon( finely chopped)

Method:-

• Grind cashew nut along with milk to a smooth paste and keep aside.
• Grind  onion and tomato to a smooth paste.
• Now heat oil in a pan over medium flame.
• Fry all the whole spices till they release their aroma in oil.
• Put onion tomato paste in the pan , mix well and keep on stirring continuously .
• Add garlic ginger paste and mix well.
• It takes 5-6 minutes to evaporate water from the onion tomato paste.
• Now add coriander powder ,red chilly powder,salt  and cream to the pan.
• Fry till oil starts to leave the sides of the paste, it will take another 5 minute .
• Now add water  to the mixture, also add kasuri methi and garam masala and bring it to boil.
• Put paneer cubes in the simmering gravy.
• Simmer it till you get the desired consistency.
• Turn off the flame, garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
• Serve hot with tandoori roti, naan, chapatti or rice.

Tips:-

• If you want you can fry the paneer cubes , but donot over cook it otherwise paneer becomes rubbery.