I think Paneer chili is the best example of how we can do a change over to our most favorite item into another and still love it more. Paneer, of course, has caught everybody's fantasy and has been a ruling ingredient in every home. I haven't come across a kid who doesn't adore this. And my love for this started the moment I was introduced to it. Maybe it was increased more by the fact that I was the only Vegetarian in most gatherings and Paneer was the only dish offered as the equivalent to a tantalizing chicken or meat! Well, I never missed those much. Instead always looked forward to these treats.
Then, came the introduction to Indo-Chinese food and it was also embraced with equal aplomb. What followed were a series of dishes being transformed into a Chinese one by adding its signature ingredients and making them into a Chinese dish. Really do you think a Chinese would know what a Paneer Chilli means or even taste like? I don't' think so. But really taste is something very subjective and when you like something, you add it in many others and see if it comes out well. I guess thats how this dish came into existence!
I have had this sleek handbook, rather a cookbook titled Favorite Chinese Dishes, with me for over a decade. Believe me, I have taken that book many a time, thinking I should prepare something from it. The dishes featured aren't anything different though. Most of them are the usual fare of the Indo Chinese Cuisine. Still, it was a mystery unsolved. The book has about 25 dishes, all beautifully explained, of course, no pictures. Still, I could imagine each of them being prepared and enjoyed. As I have mentioned, hubby dear is not very fond of typical Chinese food, so whatever I prepare has to be more of a spicy flavored.

I modified and changed a few for our taste.
Jump to:
Ingredients
2 cups Paneer / Indian Cottage Cheese (squares and deep-fried to a golden colour)
1 small Onions, chopped squares
Spring Onions, 5 bulbs and the greens
5 springs Coriander Leaves
Capsicum, quarter piece, chopped as squares
2 Green Chillies, slit and trimmed
2 big pods Garlic, finely chopped
4 tsp Tomato Sauce
2 tsp Soy Sauce
A Pinch Ajinomoto
Salt to taste
2 tsp Cooking Oil
Ghee for frying paneer
Garlic crushed was used, which I didn't. The recipe didn't call for capsicum, but I added.
Instructions
Wash and cube the paneer. Fry the paneer cubes in ghee and drain them once they turn golden.
Once you have all the onions, capsicum, spring onions all chopped and ready, heat a pan with oil.
Once it's hot, saute the onions well, then add the capsicum and simmer for 5 mins for it to get soften. Then, add the roasted paneer, tomato sauce, soy sauce, salt, and Ajinomoto. Mix well and simmer.
After 5 mins, sprinkle the spring onion tops and serve!
Your tempting paneer chili is ready to devour!
Paneer is said to be the primary source of protein for Buddhists (typically those of Southeast Asian origin) who adhere to vegetarian as opposed to vegan diets. It gives about 15% protein.

Recipe
Paneer Chilli ~ An Indo Chinese Fantasy!
Ingredients
- 2 cups Paneer / Indian Cottage Cheese (squares and deep-fried to a golden colour)
- 1 small Onions chopped squares
- Spring Onions 5 bulbs and the greens
- 5 springs Coriander Leaves
- Capsicum quarter piece, chopped as squares
- 2 Green Chillies slit and trimmed
- 2 big pods Garlic finely chopped
- 4 tsp Tomato Sauce
- 2 tsp Soy Sauce
- A Pinch Ajinomoto
- Salt to taste
- 2 tsp Cooking Oil
- Ghee for frying paneer
Instructions
- Wash and cube the paneer. Fry the paneer cubes in ghee and drain them once they turn golden.
- Once you have all the onions, capsicum, spring onions all chopped and ready, heat a pan with oil.
- Once it's hot, saute the onions well, then add the capsicum and simmer for 5 mins for it to get soften. Then, add the roasted paneer, tomato sauce, soy sauce, salt, and Ajinomoto. Mix well and simmer.
- After 5 mins, sprinkle the spring onion tops and serve!
- Your tempting paneer chili is ready to devour!
Notes
- Garlic crushed was used, which I didn't. The recipe didn't call for capsicum, but I added.
- Paneer is said to be the primary source of protein for Buddhists (typically those of Southeast Asian origin) who adhere to vegetarian as opposed to vegan diets. It gives about 15% protein.
Rachel says
One of my fav. cuisine and one of my fav. food...paneer. I can see myself making it soon.
Sunshinemom says
I make it without browning the paneer - it has to taste good either way! Nice entry, Valli:)
notyet100 says
LOOKS DELICIOUS,..
Ramki says
A good example of fusion. But if you just replace paneer with tofu, this becomes a typical Chinese recipe !
Suma Rajesh says
panner my fav..luv anything ...urs looks delicious
Kalai says
One of my favorites, Valli! Looks delicious!! 🙂
Siri says
I was planning to make sumthing similar with lo mein or chow mein for Dhivs event Valli, but in my current circumstances, I am not sure whether will be able to make it or not! the dish looks so yummy dear.. wish I cud taste some of it.
Love to kiddos,
Siri
Mona says
Wow, looks yummy!
http://www.zaiqa.net
shriya says
Panner is my fav one. I love paneer in any form. Paneer chilli looks yummy. Must have tasted really good.
Nags says
my fave veggie indo chinese dish 🙂
Bharti says
haha...love the title. U R absolutely right. Paneer chilli is every desi vegetarian's fantasy!
A true classic. Yours looks great!
satya says
It seems that manchurian is not authentic either....:D. We Indianised burgers and pizzas and relish them as our own...!
Lavi says
Srivalli..yesterday i was craving for this paneer chilli..when i checked your's..i could not control me..late at night i tried it:)
Anisheetu says
Paneer my most favourite... lovely recipe...:)
D says
Aaaah! Valli - I am more thankful than you for sending me this droolworthy dish. What r u doing to your photos girl? They r looking v v good nowdays 🙂 Keep doing that and leem drool some more at your pic in peace 😉
DK
http://culinarybazaar.blogspot.com
Srivalli says
Rachel..heheh..glad ..:)
Sunshinemom, I am sure that will be great too...thanks
priyanka..thanks
Ramki, heheh..I know..but somehow I dont' like tofu..:)
Suma, thank you..this sure was great!
shriya, you bet..glad you liked this
Kalai, heheh..paneer has so many fans!
Siri, heheh..so I did it b4 you could..take your time..blogging can come in leisure..
Mona, thanks
Nags, hahha...great to know!
Bharti, yep..glad I hit the spot!
satya, heheh..thats a fact..we can indianise everything..:)
Lavi, thats really great..hope you loved it..
Anisheetu, thanks
Dhivi, glad you liked it girl...and I am glad my pictures are looking good...:)..all yoga in action!..
Sangeeth says
looks great sri...thanks for the entry
DY says
Your comment "Do you think a Chinese would know how a Paneer Chilli etc etc would taste like?" was rather offensive.
Not all Chinese people are ignorant of Indian cuisine and certainly not all Chinese people eat bland and boring food everyday.
It's akin to saying Indian people eat spicy and tasteless food and do not know how to appreciate fresh ingredients nor know how to blend food tastes but instead just smothers it with spices.
I know you didn't exactly mean it in an offensive manner, but perhaps you shouldn't practice ignorance in your posts in the future.
Adding soy sauce and whatever else stereotypical 'Chinese' ingredients to a dish does not make it 'Chinese'.
Other than that, I enjoy your blogging about Indian dishes. FYI, there are plenty of Chinese people who enjoy authentic Indian food cooked by them or their Indian neighbours or countrymen. 🙂
Srivalli says
I meant by my statement since this is a dish created by Indians, a Chinese won't know that such a dish exist. I never meant in an offensive way about Chinese and their food. Infact I have eaten authentic Chinese food and I know they do eat well spiced in their own way. But as every cuisine needs adaptation, it might take some time for all Indians to appreciate authentic Chinese cuisine, so meanwhile for people like me, we make these indo Chinese to enjoy both cuisines.
By adding soy sauce and other simpler Chinese ingredients, we try to create a mood for Chinese food. Its does not mean the Chinese cuisine is simple!
Hope I am clear and am in no way trying to be offensive to anybody or any culture. If I came about sounding that way, or if my statements are misinterpreted that way, my sincere apologies.
Next time, do leave your full name, so that I can know my readers!