Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Paneer Pasanda


Hi All,

How are you guys doing ? I am doing good finally. Finally, We are all set at new place, finally....We had some friends over for holidays, we had a loads of fun, so I could not post new recipes or round up for the event (Yes!!! I haven't forgot about it!!!) To make things worse, setting up internet connection also took long time, like a month. But now, I am back. I know I missed all the action and great posts, will try to keep up with that in next few days.

This recipe was ready, so I thought this would be a good warm up before I post Children's Day round up. So Let's get straight to it.

Mughlai cuisine is famous for the combination of ground masalas and unique texture of food. This cuisine is home to rich dishes like, hundred kinds of Pulavs, Kormas, tonnes of Paneer dishes, variety of Naans, and add all tasty meats like chicken, mutton, lamb, fish etc., you get one great collection. The gravy is heavy most of the time because use of dry fruits, ghee, butter and heavy cream. These ingredients give them a silky smooth texture.

This is very common and popular subji, Paneer Pasanda. I tweked a little to make it healthy. I used evaporated milk instead of heavy cream and use rajma beans for valvery texture. One would really enjoy this with naan and/or with steaming-hot jeera rice.

Ingredients:-


  • 1-1/2 Cup Paneer, cubed
  • 1 Big Red Onion, finely chopped
  • 2 Tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 3 Garlic Cloves, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp Ginger, grated
  • 2 tbsp Cashew soak for 2-3 hours and make paste
  • 1 tbsp Melon Seeds, soak for 2-3 hours and make paste
  • 1-1/2 tsp Red Chili Powder
  • 1 tsp Garam Masala
  • 1 tbsp Dhania-Jeera Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Turmeric
  • 1 Cinnamon Stick
  • 2 Dry Whole Red Chili
  • 3 Green Cardamoms
  • 3 Whole Cloves
  • 2-3 bay Leaves
  • 1 tsp Fennel Seeds
  • 2 tbsp Ghee
  • 3 tbsp Oil
  • 1/4 cup Evaporated Milk
  • 1/2 cup Rajma, canned and drained
  • 1/2 tsp Kasuri Methi
  • Cilantro, chopped
  • Salt to taste

Method:-

1. Heat oil and ghee in deep vessel. Add cinnamon stick, whole red chili, cloves, cardamom, and bay leaves.

2. Roast them for 1-2 minutes and put on paper towel, leaving ghee and oil for cooking.

3. Add onion and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Add ginger, tomato, cashew paste, melon seeds paste, salt, fennel seeds, dhania-jeera powder, red chili powder, turmeric, and 3-4 tbsp water.

4. Mix well. Cover with lid and cook on medium-low heat for 5 minutes or until onions are tender.

5. Add rajma to the gravy and let it heat for 2 more minutes. Now turn down the flame and let it cool for 3-4 minutes.

6. In the mean time heat little oil in wok and cook paneer cubes until golden brown. Set them aside on paper towel.

7. Blend the gravy until smooth.

8. Add some water for gravy consistency.

9. Put gravy on low heat. Add dry masalas and paneer. Cook for 5-6 more minutes.

10. Add evaporated milk and kasuri methi. Mix well. Heat for 2-3 minutes.

11. Garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve hot.

Enjoy...

30 comments:

Indian Khana said...

Gud to see you back....Wish you Happy New Year and Sankranti dear..

Anonymous said...

Paneer looks delicious! The colour of the gravy looks rich and appealing!

Neha said...

Nice that u r back..
N now, this is the recipe that i must make.., Everytime i ask my hubby what to cook, he'll just say PANEER PASANDA. n i didn't know what is it...
Now can make it for him...Thanx.. [;)]

FH said...

Very nice looking Paneer dish, my daughter would love that. Happy new year to you too! :))

Usha said...

Welcome back,wish you a very Happy New Year ! Paneer pasanda looks rich and delicious, loved the idea of using evaporated milk and rajma to give the gravy this texture :-)

Finla said...

Wowo this looks so creamy yummy delicious.

Cham said...

Welcome back! Happy New Year!
Nice Dish with paneer

Namratha said...

Good to have you back Madhavi, was wondering where you were!! :) The curry looks awesome, nicely presented as always!

Suganya said...

This is a very nice paneer recipe. Looks so good. YUM!

Happy Pongal!!!

Deepthi Shankar said...

Lovely to have you back. Happy Sankranthi & Paneer Pasanda looks yummm

Meera said...

I was thinking about you. Am so happy that you are back. Paneer Pasanda looks awesome!

lubnakarim06 said...

Nice to see you back... Anything with paneer is my favourite. Looks yummy.

Uma said...

Glad to see you back dear! How are you doing? Paneer Pasanda is such a nice name as always! mmm. looks so mouth-watering! Hope you had a wonderful sankranthi.

Nithya Praveen said...

I add cream instead of evaporated milk.This one is definelty a rich dish....yummy!

Pravs said...

great looking dish. Have not tried Rajma with paneer.

Rupa said...

Paneer looks Yummy..

Unknown said...

looks so yummy madhavi...adding evaporated milk is new and the lon list of ingredients shows how delicious d dish is :)

Suganya said...

This paneer recipe look so good. Nice recipe. Lovely color. YUM!

Shreya said...

hi, welcome back!! Happy New Year. this dish is new to me, and the recipe looks really interesting with all the spices:-)

Sagari said...

curry looks very creamy madhvi

Cynthia said...

Hey, it's good to see you again. Glad to hear that you all are settled and with new friends too - great!

Jamie said...

The paneer looks wonderful. Happy New Year!

Srikitchen said...

check out EFM-Savory sreies round up and join with us in the EFM-Microwave oven series!

Purva Desai said...

Good to see you back after long break and things are in place at ur end.....
Paneer pasanda looks rich and yummy

notyet100 said...

this looks yum,..hope u dng good...

soma said...

Lovely recipe. My kids love paneer & gravy like this one.
Soma(www.ecurry.com)

Shivali said...

Looks delicious.Paneer is all time favourite with my family.

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

hey you too have a lovely blog dear... i am drooling at all your dishes!!! gosh, they r so yummy.

AnuSriram said...

Wow.. u have a wonderful blog here.. I'm drooling over your paneer.. Nicely presented kids event round-up too!

Puri said...

Wow..u have a lovely blog.. my hubby is a foodie and i m so happy and relieved that i came across this site :)