How to make paneer butter masala

PANEER BUTTER MASALA 



Fixings 

3 tablespoons spread 

250 grams Paneer 3D squares (or Cottage Cheese) 

3 Kashmiri Red Chilies 

1 teaspoon Ginger Paste 

1 teaspoon Garlic Paste 

1 Bay leaves 

1 inch Cinnamon Stick 

3 Cloves 

2 Cardamoms 

1/2 teaspoon Peppercorns 

2 tablespoons Cashewnuts (Chopped) 

1 teaspoon White Poppy Seeds (Khus (Optional)) 

1 Onion, generally hacked 

6 Tomatoes, generally hacked 

1/2 teaspoon Chili powder 

1/2 teaspoon Garam masala (Powder) 

1/2 teaspoon Turmeric (Powder) 

1/2 tablespoons Ketchup 

1 tablespoons Kasuri Methi (Dry) 

2 tablespoons Fresh Cream 

Salt to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large pan or kadhai, heat a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of oil.
2. Add red chillies, ginger, garlic paste and all the whole spices (bay leaves, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and peppercorns). Saute for a minute or two and add cashew nuts, poppy seeds (if using) and onions. Once the onions turn translucent, add the tomatoes. Mix well.
3. Cover and cook till the tomatoes start breaking down and the mixture starts leaving oil at the edges. Switch off the flame and set aside to cool.
4. Once cool enough to handle, fish out as many whole spices as possible, and blend the mixture to a smooth paste.
5. In the same pan or kadhai, heat the remaining butter and add the curry paste. Add garam masala powder, chili powder, turmeric, ketchup, salt along with 1/2 cup water. Bring this to a boil.
6. Once the curry comes to a boil, simmer and cook for 30 minutes, till the oil separates slightly. Cut the paneer into bite sized pieces, add it to the gravy and mix gently.
7. In another pan, dry roast the kasuri methi and grind it to a fine powder. Mix kasuri methi and fresh cream in the curry and switch off the flame.