Frederic Melton
Paneer curry is a rich and flavourful dish that is surprisingly easy to make. This vegetarian curry is made with soft paneer cubes or Indian cottage cheese in an aromatic and creamy tomato and cashew base. The spices complement the slightly sweet flavour of the paneer, and the dish can be served with rice, roti, paratha, or naan. While making paneer curry from scratch is recommended, store-bought paneer can also be used. However, it is important to note that frying the paneer before adding it to the curry may be preferable to prevent it from crumbling.
How to cook paneer cheese in a curry
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Paneer, onion, tomato, garlic, ginger, chilli, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaf, cloves, salt, pepper, garam masala, cream, coconut milk, curry powder, oil, ghee, water, spinach, fenugreek, chilli powder, turmeric powder, sugar, gram flour, frozen peas, tofu, cashews |
| Preparation | Chop, grate or mince onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, and chilli. Melt butter in a pan, add spices and onions, stir fry on medium-high heat. Add garlic and ginger, then tomato, spinach, and water. |
| Cooking | Fry paneer in oil until crispy, add to curry. Fry spices in oil, add to curry. Simmer curry until thickened. Add cream, mix, and serve with rice or bread. |
| Tips | Fry store-bought paneer before adding to curry. Soak homemade paneer in water to soften, then add to curry. |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing paneer for curry
To fry paneer, cut it into 1-inch cubes and season with turmeric powder, red chilli powder, oil, and a pinch of salt. Place a frying pan over low-medium heat and add the seasoned paneer cubes to the oil, frying both sides until slightly crispy. This should take around 3-5 minutes.
Another option is to coat the paneer pieces with ghee. Fry the paneer on medium heat to bring out the flavours of the spices. This should only take a few minutes, so be careful not to over-fry it.
If you are making a Palak Paneer, a popular Indian spinach curry, you can follow these steps:
- Make the paneer according to your preferred recipe. This usually involves setting it in the fridge for about four hours.
- Saute onion, fenugreek, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper in a large pot over medium heat for about three minutes, until the onion is softened but not golden.
- Add garlic and ginger and cook for another two minutes.
- Add tomato and chilli and cook for an additional three minutes on medium heat.
- Add the spinach in batches, stirring until wilted.
Once you have prepared the paneer according to your desired level of crispness or softness, you can add it to your curry. Simply add the fried paneer to your cooked curry, ensuring that the curry is not too thick. It should be slightly flowy so that the extra moisture is absorbed by the paneer, keeping it soft. Gently stir and cook covered on low heat for about two minutes.
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Spices and seasoning
Firstly, it is important to season the paneer cubes with salt before cooking. This can be done by sprinkling salt over the cubes or by soaking the paneer in hot water with a pinch of salt for 10 minutes, which will give it a creamy texture. You can also add other spices to the paneer at this stage. One option is to coat the paneer cubes with a mixture of turmeric powder, red chilli powder, oil, and salt. Fry these in a pan until crispy and golden, then set aside.
Next, you can begin to build the flavour of your curry by sautéing onions with spices. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat and add spices such as fenugreek, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Cook until the onions are softened, then add garlic and ginger. You can also add whole spices such as bay leaf, black cardamom, green cardamom, dried red chillies, cumin, cinnamon, and cloves. Sizzle these in the pan before adding the onions, which you should then stir-fry until they are soft and golden.
At this stage, you can add chopped tomatoes, grated ginger, and garlic. You may also choose to add some green chillies for extra heat. Continue to cook this mixture until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens. If you want a creamy texture, you can add coconut milk or cream at this point. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt, garam masala, or red chilli powder if needed.
Finally, add the fried paneer cubes to the sauce and gently combine. Be careful not to overcook the paneer at this stage, as it can become hard or chewy. Simply warm the paneer through and serve your curry with rice or bread.
Feel free to experiment with different spices and seasonings to find your perfect paneer curry flavour!
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Cooking the curry
Paneer curry is a rich and flavourful dish that can be made in several ways. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking a delicious paneer curry:
Preparation
Firstly, cut the paneer into 1-inch cubes and place them in a bowl. Season the cubes with turmeric powder, red chilli powder, oil, and a pinch of salt. You can also add a teaspoon of sugar to balance the salt and the slight sourness of the cheese.
Heat oil in a pan on low to medium heat. Once hot, add the seasoned paneer cubes and fry them until slightly crispy and golden. This should take around 3-5 minutes. Transfer the fried paneer to a bowl and set aside.
Next, add a little more oil to the pan, followed by chopped onions, garlic, and spices such as cinnamon, bay leaf, cardamom, cumin, and cloves. Cook this mixture for 2-3 minutes on low to medium heat until the onions are soft and golden.
Now, add chopped tomatoes, ginger, and garlic to the pan. Cook this mixture for a few minutes until the tomatoes are soft and the mixture becomes fragrant. You can also add some chilli for extra spice. At this point, you can add some coconut milk or cream to create a creamy curry.
Adding the Paneer
Once the curry is almost ready, add the fried paneer cubes back to the pan and gently mix them into the curry. Be careful not to overcook the paneer, as it can become hard and chewy.
Finally, taste the curry and adjust the seasoning with salt, garam masala, or any other spices to your preference. Garnish the dish with coriander leaves and serve it with rice, naan, or any other bread of your choice.
Enjoy your delicious paneer curry!
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Adding paneer to the curry
Adding paneer to your curry is a simple process, but there are a few considerations to keep in mind to ensure optimal results. Firstly, decide whether you will be using store-bought or homemade paneer, as this will determine the necessary preparation steps.
If you opt for store-bought paneer, you can add it directly to the curry without any additional preparation. However, if you prefer a bit of crunch or browning, you can choose to fry the paneer cubes before adding them to the curry. This will give them a golden crust and enhance their flavour.
For those using homemade paneer, there are a few extra steps to consider. To prevent crumbling, it is recommended to brown the paneer cubes before adding them to the curry. Soaking the homemade paneer in hot water for about 10 minutes with a pinch of salt can also help improve its texture, making it creamier and allowing it to absorb more flavour from the curry.
Once you are ready to add the paneer to your curry, simply follow these steps:
- Cut the paneer into 1-inch cubes.
- Season the cubes with spices like turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat and add the seasoned paneer cubes.
- Fry the paneer until it is slightly crispy and golden, usually around 3-5 minutes.
- Add the fried paneer to your curry, and you're done!
Remember, it is important not to overcook the paneer after adding it to the curry, as this can make it hard or chewy. With these tips in mind, you'll be able to create a delicious and flavourful paneer curry.
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Serving suggestions
When serving a curry with paneer cheese, rice and/or homemade naan, roti, paratha, or chapatis are a must for a complete meal. You can also serve it with jeera rice or ghee rice. If you're looking for something other than rice, try serving your curry with naan bread for dipping.
If you're serving your curry as part of a larger Indian meal, it pairs well with other Indian curries of your choice, such as Sag Aloo.
For a quick and easy weeknight meal, try serving your curry with some grilled skewers of paneer cheese and vegetables, alongside a fruity avocado salsa.
If you're making a larger batch of curry, you can also use your leftovers to make wraps or spiced skewers for lunch the next day.
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Frequently asked questions
Cut the paneer into 1-inch cubes. Place them in a bowl and season with turmeric powder, red chilli powder, oil, and a pinch of salt. Place a frying pan over low-medium heat and pour in the oil. Add the seasoned paneer cubes to the oil and fry both sides until slightly crispy.
Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, fenugreek, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes until the onion is softened but not golden. Add garlic and ginger and cook for a further 2 minutes. Next, add the tomato and chilli and cook for 3 minutes on a medium heat. Finally, add the spinach and cook until wilted.
Add the crispy paneer to the curry and gently mix. Pour in some coconut milk and let the curry simmer until the sauce thickens. Let the curry rest for a few minutes and garnish with coriander leaves. Serve with rice or bread such as roti, paratha or naan.
