Kadai Paneer Recipe is a vibrant, zesty, and spiced dish that will not only brighten up your menu but will also tantalize your taste buds! Made using everyday Indian kitchen staples like onions, tomatoes, capsicum, and aromatic Indian spices – this eye-catching dish will come together in 30 minutes.
You can thank Persians and Afghan rulers for introducing paneer in the 16th century, primarily in North India, where it was made using goat or sheep rennet. In Turkish and Persian Languages, “peynir” means “Paneer.” and this is how we got this word.
Tangy and Savory Kadai Paneer Recipe!
When you hear Punjabi cuisine, you will see cream running wild in rich gravy-based curries! Paneer is given a lot of attention, and the vegetarian crowd just loves this ingredient!
One such unique, flavorful, and savory recipe is the Kadai paneer, which is known for its aromatic fragrance and tender, moist paneer.
So far, you may have enjoyed this delicious recipe at hotels and restaurants only. But not anymore! We will help you make this delicious recipe at home without any hassle. All you have to do is to gather some ingredients and boom!
A delicious Kadai Paneer recipe will be spreading mesmerizing aroma on your dining table! So, let’s see how you can make this delightful Kadai paneer recipe at home!
Quick Stats
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 to 5 serves
Ingredients
For Kadai Masala
- Two tablespoons coriander seeds (sabut dhaniya)
- Two teaspoon Cumin seed (jeera)
- Three small dried red chilies (sukhi lal mirch)
- 5 Green cardamoms (hari elaichi)
- Two teaspoon Fennel seeds (saunf)
- 5-6 cloves (laung)
- 5-6 black peppercorns (kali mirch)
For Puree
- Two tablespoons oil
- One teaspoon cumin seeds
- One large-sized, onion roughly chopped
- 1 cup tomatoes, roughly chopped
- Two tablespoons cashew nuts
- One teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
For Kadai Paneer Gravy
- One large bell pepper (capsicum, Shimla mirch), diced
- One onion, cubed and layers separated
- 250 grams paneer, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1.5 tablespoons butter
- One tablespoon oil
- Two teaspoons ginger garlic paste
- Two small green chilies cut lengthwise
- Salt to taste
- One teaspoon sugar (optional)
- One tablespoon Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
- Three tablespoons cream
- 1/4 cup + 1/8 cup tablespoons water, or as needed
- cilantro (coriander leaves), to garnish
Method to Prepare
- Take a Kadai and add all the Kadai masala spices.
- Now, dry roast them for around 5 minutes on a medium flame. Let them cool.
- Then, remove roasted spices from the pan and transfer them to a grinder.
- Grind the dry roasted spices to make a smooth powder. Your Kadai masala is ready!
- Now, let’s make tomato gravy. Take the already used pan and heat around two tablespoons of oil in it. Throw cumin seeds to it and let them splutter.
- Once they start to splutter, add the onions and saute for a minute.
- After a minute, add tomatoes, and give it a good stir to mix well. Saute for one more minute.
- Then, add cashew, salt, and turmeric powder to the puree. Cook it on a medium flame for around 5 minutes.
- Let them cool, and then transfer the sauteed onions and tomatoes to a mixer jar. Pour ⅛ cup of water and give it a pulse until you get a smooth puree. Set it aside.
- Now, take a large Kadai and melt 1 ½ tablespoon butter with one tablespoon of oil on medium flame.
- Now, add a teaspoon of chili powder and sauté for a few seconds on a medium-low flame.
- Then, add two teaspoons of ginger garlic paste and give it a good stir.
- Sauté it for a couple of minutes on a medium-low flame.
- Then add cubed bell peppers and cubed onions. Again sauté it for around 3 minutes on high flame.
- Now, pour the prepared onion and tomato puree into it and mix it well.
- Pour ¼ cup of water and add cubed paneer. Stir it to mix everything well.
- Then, sprinkle four teaspoons of prepared Kadai Masala and mix once more. Cook for a minute.
- Now, add green chilies, Kasuri methi, and cook for another minute.
- Then add cream, sugar, and salt as per your taste.
- Mix them well and cover them. Cook it under the lid for around 5 minutes on a medium flame.
- Now, uncover the pan and sprinkle cilantro on top. Mix it well and turn off the flame.
- Serve this Kadai Paneer Recipe with Naan and enjoy!
Final Words
Kadai Paneer recipe is perhaps one of the most delicious and popular paneer-based main dishes in India. Now, you can also make this recipe at your home without spending too much time sweating in the kitchen. So, what are you waiting for? Try this rich gravy today and mesmerize your family members with its amazingly delicious taste!
