Paneer Masala

Ingredients

• 200 gms paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese)
• 1 large onion sliced finely
• 5-6 cloves garlic minced
• 1 inch ginger chopped finely
• 1 tomato chopped
• 2 tbsp curd
• 3 green cardamoms
• 1 inch cinnamon
• 4 cloves
• 5-6 black pepper
• 5-6 cashewnuts
• 1 tbsp charmagaz or sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp fresh cream
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder
• 1 tsp Korma Masala
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 4 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp ghee
• 1/2 tsp garam masala powder
• 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp kasoori methi (dry fenugreek leaves)
• 3-4 green chillies slit
• 1 tbsp coriander chopped

Steps

1. Heat oil in a pan.Add onion till brown and crispy. Drain oil and remove to a plate.In the remaining oil, stir fry garlic and ginger till aromatic.Remove from oil and cool. Add 1 tbsp water and blend onion, ginger and garlic. Also blend curd with cashewnuts. Set aside.Blend chopped tomato into puree.
2. Now add 2 tbsp more oil.Smear 1/4 tsp salt and lightly fry the paneer pieces.In the remaining oil, sprinkle cumin seeds and half crushed whole garam masala. When they sizzle, add turmeric powder and Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder.Also add bay leaf and saute.Now add the pureed tomato and fry till there is no raw smell.Next add the onion and cashewnut paste, korma masala and fry till oil leaves sides.Add 1 cup hot water and the paneer cubes.Cook till gravy thickens.
3. Add fresh cream and mix well.Now add the fried paneer pieces and sprinkle kasoori methi. Add few slit green chillies.Lightly toss so that paneer doesn't break.Garnish with chopped coriander and slit chillies. Serve hot with steamed or jeera rice or with roti, naan or paratha and relish !