Do you all remember the first time you tasted something and know how much it changed your life after that? At least I remember one thing that changed mine for ever. It was my first taste of Paneer. Oh I know what you must think. I am so crazy of Paneer that at least one dish gets featured on Paneer. Yes, I am very fond and so is my daughter. Anyway back to the story. It was almost more than a decade back, if I remember right. During our regular shopping, Dad got hold of a Ready to serve packet that was just launched. Dad really makes sure Amma gets a free time from cooking at regular intervals, since none of us could cook that time, it was always going out for lunch or dinner. That's when these ready to serve products were introduced. And he was always after Amma to get those packets, so that we can used when we need. Amma never used to agree to it as she was of the opinion that it may not be so very healthy and on top quite expensive. But Dad somehow got these packets of Paneer Makhanwala from a brand called Tasty Bites. Since we were four of us, he thought one would be suffice and got another dish.
Though the quantity was not enough, I can still remember that taste. It was absolutely delicious. Maybe because it was the first time we were tasting it or whatever. The taste still lingers. We searched for the same product many times, but that was stopped and though I see those products now in the market, I don't know if it still tastes so great. That was the beginning of Paneer and its dishes at home. All of us are Paneer lovers and have tried many varieties and had many variations. But I haven't really tried a recipe which went by the name Paneer Makhanwala. That name rings in fond memories of days bygone! I tried recreating, maybe with the wish that those happy childhood days will be back here. But just as you cant ever get back those lovely days, its impossible to meet the expectations, you have in mind. I know rather than lingering to recreate my childhood fancies, I should be creating memorable times for my kids. I hope, someday my daughter will remember this Paneer Makhanwala, that prepared specially for her, and feel she could never recreate the same! On its own, it was really tasty but I don't know if this is the authentic Paneer Makhanwala, because I have seen many recipes in the same name with different ingredients!
Whatever, this is a pure indulgence!
Ingredients Needed:
Paneer - 250 gms
Bay leaf - 1 big
Ginger Garlic paste - 3/4 tsp
Green Chilies - 1
Chili powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder a pinch
Salt to taste
Milk - 200 ml
Cream - 200 (opt)
Butter - 2 to 3 tbsp
Kasuri Methi - 1/4 tsp
Ground to Masala:
Cloves - 2
Cinnamon - 2 inch
Cardamom - 1
Pepper Corns - 5
Green Chili - 1
Cashew nuts/ Almonds - 10 nos
Onions - 2 medium
Tomatoes - 2 medium
Method to prepare:
Cut the Paneer into 2 inch cubes. Roast them to golden in Ghee or butter. Keep aside.
Then in the same pan, roast each ingredients in the same order mentioned under masalas to be ground. Once the tomatoes are well roasted, remove and allow to cool. Then grind to a smooth paste, using water.
Heat another pan with Cooking Oil, add the bay leaf, slit chilis. Then ginger garlic paste. Once its fried, add chili powder, coriander powder and turmeric powders.
Simmer for 2 mins, then add the ground paste. Simmer and cook till its starts bring oil out on the sides. Slowly add Milk and bring to boil. You can add about 1/2 water.
Cover and cook for 10 mins. Once its nicely done, add the fried paneer and simmer for 2 mins. When you are about to remove from fire, add the cream and remove. You can avoid cream if you don't like, but to go along the name, cream adds taste.
This would taste great with Naan or Parotta, I served with Chappatis.
Recipe
Paneer Makhanwala
Ingredients
- 250 gms Paneer
- 1 big Bay Leaf
- 3/4 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
- 1 Green Chilies
- 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
- 1/2 tsp Coriander Powder
- A pinch Turmeric Powder
- Salt to taste
- 200 ml Milk
- 200 Cream (opt)
- 2 to 3 tbsp Butter
- 1/4 tsp Kasuri Methi
- Ground to Masala:
- 2 Cloves
- 2 inch Cinnamon
- 1 Cardamom
- 5 Pepper Corns
- 1 Green Chili
- 10 nos Cashew nuts / Almonds
- 2 medium Onions
- 2 medium Tomatoes
Instructions
- Cut the Paneer into 2 inch cubes. Roast them to golden in Ghee or butter. Keep aside.
- Then in the same pan, roast each ingredients in the same order mentioned under masalas to be ground. Once the tomatoes are well roasted, remove and allow to cool. Then grind to a smooth paste, using water.
- Heat another pan with Cooking Oil, add the bay leaf, slit chilis. Then ginger garlic paste.Once its fried, add chili powder, coriander powder and turmeric powders.
- Simmer for 2 mins, then add the ground paste. Simmer and cook till its starts bring oil out on the sides. Slowly add Milk and bring to boil. You can add about 1/2 water.
- Cover and cook for 10 mins. Once its nicely done, add the fried paneer and simmer for 2 mins. When you are about to remove from fire, add the cream and remove. You can avoid cream if you don't like, but to go along the name, cream adds taste.
- This would taste great with Naan or Parotta, I served with Chappatis.
notyet100 says
name suits the recipe,..looks so yum,..
Uj says
Looks really yummy...
srikars kitchen says
Looks yummyyyyyyyyyyyyy& Awesomeeeeeeeeee.. sounds delicious.. thxs for sharing..
Aparna Inguva says
I am panner cooky nut too... Although I never cooked with it.. Now I wonder why? have a party comng up .... your recipe is too good to pass.. Looks like the guests are going to have a nice time... Thanks
ANJALI J. says
i have never tried Paneer makhanwala, .. must taste delicious. will follow ur recipe wen i make.
Divya Vikram says
Looks too tempting..
Happy cook says
Now this will be the second paneer dish i have to try from you.
Divya says
It is so nice of your Dad to make sure your mom takes a day off from the regular chores of cooking. I bet they make a wonderful couple.
Dish looks great.
Mona says
Paneer is my favorite too. The curry looks delicious. Thanks for sharing your recipe, will give it a try sometime.
Tee says
Paneer...givr it to me in any form and at any time...i will eat it ! Your makhanwala recipe is very good...i wish i could have it for lunch today. 🙂
I am sure your daughter will always remember this.
alka says
u know wht i had made so many of gravy dishes esp. with paneer in past few months that now if someone utters gravy or paneer in my home,he or she is sure to get a huh response frm me.....but again this version of urs will make me try one more paneer in gravy recipe...grrrrrrr.....more than paneer i was eyeing on that crunchy cucumber and onion rings...u know why?coz even in restaurant my family eats paneer ,and i just feed on cucumber,onion and pickle served with these......
Swati Raman Garg says
paneeeer anytime... the only vegeterians savious isn it.... looks perfect valli..
Nags says
yep! surely looks like an indulgence.
RAKS KITCHEN says
Paneer makhanwala with those roties seen there make me feel hungry!
FoodyGuru (Srimathi) says
I like paneer makhanwala a lot. I have tried so many recipes but I am yet to find the one that is like the one I tasted once. I am going to try this one for sure.
raaji says
love anything with paneer..
Divya says
Oh Sri..you really know how to make someone drool right off thier comp screens..paneer is looking so tempting..I consider myself a paneer lover and this is sheer torture;-)
Vij says
loooksss lovely!! YUMMY!
Jayashree says
I love all the paneer dishes that you've posted so far.
SriLekha says
that looks really spicy!
Uma says
oooh! delicious gravy. looks soooo goood.
Sharmila says
That looks so yummy!The tomato is roasted too! And if your daughter does forget you have this post for her to refresh her memory ... what say?
Maybe then she can start writing about her mom and her cooking too! 🙂
Pravs says
Hi srivalli..how are you ? want to dig in and taste the paneer with roti.
Priyanka says
i guess paneer is an all-time fav with everyone.a lovely dish. the kasuri methi- lends a unique flavor to the dish along with the bay leaf.