Butter Paneer Masala

Butter Paneer Masala is a popular Indian dish known for its rich, creamy texture and aromatic flavors. The key components are:

Paneer:Indian cottage cheese
Masala:A blend of spices
Butter:For richness and flavor
Gravy:A creamy tomato-onion-based sauce

Materials

For the Masala Blend:

Coriander seeds
Cumin seeds
Black peppercorns
Cardamom pods
Cloves
Cinnamon sticks
Dry red chili
Turmeric powder
Garam masala
Amchur powder (dried mango powder)
Kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves)

For the Gravy:

Onions
Tomatoes
Ginger
Garlic
Green chilies
Ghee or oil
Cashew paste (optional, for richness)
Cream
Butter
Salt to taste

For the Paneer:

Full-fat milk
Lemon juice or vinegar

Production Steps

Preparing the Masala Blend:

1. Dry roast coriander, cumin, black peppercorns, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon until fragrant.
2. Grind the roasted spices into a fine powder.
3. Add dry red chili, turmeric, garam masala, amchur powder, and kasoori methi to the spice powder. Mix well.

Preparing the Gravy:

1. Heat ghee or oil in a pan.
2. Sauté chopped onions until golden brown.
3. Add ginger, garlic, and green chilies, sauté for a minute.
4. Puree tomatoes and add to the pan. Cook until the oil separates.
5. Add cashew paste (if using) and cook for a few minutes.
6. Add the prepared masala blend and cook for another minute.
7. Add water and bring to a boil. Simmer until the gravy thickens.
8. Stir in cream and butter for richness. Adjust salt to taste.

Preparing the Paneer:

1. Heat full-fat milk in a heavy-bottomed pan.
2. Add lemon juice or vinegar gradually while stirring continuously.
3. Curd will form. Collect it in a muslin cloth and tie it up.
4. Hang the cloth to drain excess water.
5. Once drained, shape the paneer into cubes.

Assembling the Dish:

1. Heat ghee or oil in a pan.
2. Fry paneer cubes until golden brown.
3. Add the paneer to the prepared gravy.
4. Simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
5. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Additional Tips

For a richer flavor, use homemade paneer.
Adjust the spice level according to your preference.
You can use store-bought paneer masala as a base and customize it with additional spices.
For a vegan version, replace paneer with tofu and butter with plant-based butter.