Paneer Masala Recipe - Dhaba Style

Warm, richly spiced, and built for a satisfying meal, Paneer Masala Recipe - Dhaba Style is a vegetarian north indian curry made with coriander seeds, cumin, and pepper in about 55 minutes. The recipe lays out the ingredients and each cooking step clearly, so you can adjust seasoning, texture, and serving size for your own kitchen.

Recipe Snapshot

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 45 minutes
• Total time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 Servings
• Category: curry
• Cuisine: north indian

Ingredients

for dhaba masala:

• 2 tsp coriander seeds
• 1 tsp cumin
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 3 cloves
• 2 pods cardamom
• ½ inch cinnamon
• ½ tsp fennel / saunf

for marination:

• 20 cubes paneer
• ½ tsp chilli powder
• ¼ tsp turmeric
• ¼ tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp ghee / clarified butter

for curry:

• 2 tbsp ghee / clarified butter
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 pods cardamom
• 1 inch cinnamon
• 2 cloves
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 onion (finely chopped)
• 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
• ¼ tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• ¾ tsp salt
• 2 tomato (finely chopped)
• ½ cup curd (whisked)
• ½ cup water
• 1 tsp kasuri methi (crushed)
• ¼ tsp garam masala
• 2 tbsp coriander (finely chopped)

Method

how to marinate and fry the paneer:

1. firstly, in a large bowl take 20 cubes paneer.
2. also add ½ tsp chilli powder, ¼ tsp turmeric, ¼ tsp garam masala, 1 tsp ginger garlic paste, ¼ tsp salt.
3. mix well and marinate for 30 minutes.
4. now heat 1 tbsp ghee and marinated paneer.
5. fry for a minute making sure all the sides are cooked well. keep aside.

how to make dhaba style spice powder:

1. firstly, in a heavy-bottomed pan take 2 tsp coriander seeds, 1 tsp cumin, ¼ tsp pepper, 3 cloves, 2 pods cardamom, ½ inch cinnamon and ½ tsp fennel.
2. dry roast on low flame until the spices turn aromatic.
3. cool completely, and blend to a fine powder. keep aside.

how to make dhaba style paneer masala curry:

1. firstly, in a large kadai heat 2 tbsp ghee and 2 tbsp oil.
2. add 1 bay leaf, 2 pods cardamom, 1 inch cinnamon, 2 cloves and 1 tsp cumin.
3. saute until the spices turn aromatic.
4. now add 1 onion and 1 tsp ginger garlic paste. saute until the onions turn golden brown.
5. further keeping the flame on low, add the prepared spice powder, ¼ tsp turmeric, 1 tsp chilli powder and ¾ tsp salt.
6. saute on low flame until the spices turn aromatic.
7. now add 2 tomato and saute until tomatoes turn soft and mushy.
8. further, keeping the flame on low add ½ cup curd.
9. stir continuously until the curd is combined well and oil separates out from the mixture.
10. add ½ cup water or as required adjusting the consistency.
11. now add fried paneer and mix well.
12. cover and simmer for 5 minutes or until the flavours are absorbed well.
13. add 1 tsp kasuri methi, ¼ tsp garam masala and 2 tbsp coriander. mix well.
14. finally, enjoy paneer masala recipe dhaba style with roti, naan or phulka.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.