Paneer Masala Recipe – Dhaba Style Paneer Masala
Soft marinated paneer, tossed and slightly warmed, slow cooked with aromatic blend of spices in rich tomato based gravy. Try making this dhaba style paneer dish and bring back the Magic.
Initially the dhaba’s were seen along the indian highways especially near the petrol pump serving food for the truck drivers. the food served in dhaba’s were nutritious and tasty with less fancy and easily available ingredients. paneer masala recipe is once such recipe which is prepared in typical punjabi dhaba style.
This dhaba style paneer masala is a no-nonsense dish! And I must warn you that it’s not for the faint hearted, neither for the weight watchers. This dhaba style paneer masala is as sinful as it can get with lots of ghee and spices; but it’s definitely a celebration worthy dish. Hence make this dhaba style paneer masala at your next special occasion and I bet everyone will love you for this! Give the good old paneer butter masala a miss next time and try this new showstopper called dhaba style paneer masala!
Quick Tips:
- Quantity of ghee and oil is upto your preference.
- Besan is a thickening agent; you can skip its optional.
- You can use mint leaves as well, if you like.
- Warming the paneer is an important step; this will ensure that the spices are well coated with the paneer. Don’t brown or cook the paneer, just warm it.
- Also cook the tomatoes and onions well, else the curry wont taste great.
- Additionally, add in coriander leaves to enhance the flavour.
- Finally, paneer masala recipe taste great when cooked and low flame.
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Paneer Masala Recipe – Dhaba Style Paneer Dish
Ingredients
For Marinating Paneer
- 250 grams Paneer
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
- 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1/4 tsp Garam Masala Powder
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp Butter for warming the marinated paneer
For the Gravy
- 2 tbsp Oil
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 3 Cloves
- 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds/ Jeera
- 2 Dry Red Chillies
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 1 inch Cinnamon
- 4 Green Cardamon
- 1 Green Chilli Slit
- 1 Cup Onion chopped
- 1 tsp Ginger chopped
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
- 1/2 tsp Garam Masala Powder
- 1/2 tsp Coriander Powder
- 1 tsp Dry Fenugreek Leaves ( kasoori Methi )
- 1 tbsp Gram flour ( Besan ) roasted
- 1 Cup Tomatoe Puree
Instructions
- Cut the paneer in to cubes and in a mixing bowl combine paneer with salt, Red Chili powder, garam masala and haldi powder. Add water and give it a good stir. Do not break the paneer cubes. Once done set aside.
- In a kadhai pour oil and then add the ghee, once the oil is hot add cumin, crushed cardamom, cinnamon, Bay leaf, cloves and green chilli. Roast all the spices for 1 minute.
- Add the minced onions and cook them over medium flame until they are golden.
- Half way through cooking the onions, add ginger and salt, cook them with the onions until it’s golden.
- Next add Red Chili powder, Turmeric Powder, kasuri methi, garam masala, and Coriander Powder.
- Finally add besan and give it a good stir. Cook everything over low flame for 2 minutes.
- Add the tomato puree, give it a quick mix, and cook for 3-4 minute over low flame.
- Cook everything until the masala leaves the sides of the pan.
- In the meantime in a pan add ghee and then add the paneer, toss and warm the paneer.
- After cooking the masala for about 6 minutes, add the warm paneer and pour water.
- Gently stir the paneer and cover the pan and cook everything for 2 minutes over low flame. Paneer is ready.
- Sprinkle some fresh coriander and serve the Dhaba Style Paneer Masala along with some hot butter naan Rice or kulcha.
Notes
- Quantity of ghee and oil is upto your preference.
- Besan is a thickening agent; you can skip its optional.
- You can use mint leaves as well, if you like.
- Warming the paneer is an important step; this will ensure that the spices are well coated with the paneer. Don’t brown or cook the paneer, just warm it.
This dhaba style paneer is best served with any kind of Indian flat bread like butter naan, kulcha or chapati. But if you are a rice lover like my son , don’t stop yourself from scooping the succulent cubes of paneer along with the rice mixed with that delicious gravy! It’s worth every bite! Enjoy!
Cooking with lots of love and straight from the heart.
Bhawna Maharshi
Pans n ovens