Paneer dishes always act as a savior when you wanted something special at home. I bought 2 big packets of Paneer from Indian market few weeks back & have to finish them before they get expired. I have decided to cook all the famous Paneer dishes in my blog 😛 since today I had bell peppers handy I decided to make ” Kadai Paneer ” Kadai recipes are basically tomato based gravies with spices which means no onion garlic 🙂 yeahhhhhhh !!!!!!!

Kadhai Paneer is popular dish from North India .When we go out for dining I have noticed that for vegetarians this is the priority dish ( that’s my observation 🙂 ).

The recipe is very easy and quick to cook which will result in a delicious and tantalizing treat to you and your family. So before we start to make the yummylicious ” Kadai Paneer ” we have to make the Kadai Masala. So lets first learn how to make the masala.

Ingredients for Kadai Masala

• 3 tbsp, coriander seeds
• 1/2 tbsp fennel seeds
• 1/2 tbsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
• 4 green cardamom
• 1 black cardamom(large)
• 1 cinnamon stick of 1 inch
• 1 small bay leaf ( optional)

Process

• Dry roast all the other ingredients till you get nice aroma 🙂 , dont move or you might burn the spices. Flame should be in medium.
• Now let it cool & then blend them together in a blender to a coarse powder.
• Store in an airtight container for future use .

Ingredients for Kadai Paneer

• 250 gms, paneer, cut in medium cubes
• 3 large red tomatoes finely chopped
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• 2 red chilly broken
• 4 black peppercorns
• 1 tbsp Kashmiri red chili powder
• 1 ½ tbsp kadahi masala
• 1/2 green capsicum, cut in cubes
• 1/2 red capsicum, cut in cubes ( optional)
• 1 tsp kasuri methi
• 1 tsp sugar
• Juice of half lemon
• Salt as per taste
• 1/2 tsp Garam masala
• 3 tbsp oil
• 1½ tsp + for garnish, ginger julienne

Process to make Kadai Paneer

• In a deep bottom pan, heat  an oil and add peppercorns, red chilly and cumin seeds, allow them to crackle.
• Now add chopped tomatoes and sauté on medium -high heat for 3-4 min. stirring in between.
• Add kadai masala, cumin powder, red chili powder and ginger juliennes.
• Cook till the masalas starts leaving oil on the corner.
• Add both the capsicums and sauté for minute. Do not overcook the capsicum, leave it bit crunchy.
• Now add paneer cubes &  kasuri methi, lemon juice, salt, sugar and mix.
• Sprinkle Garam masala , mix well. Cook for 1-2 min. Your Kadai paneer is ready to be served.
• Garnish with ginger julienne.
• Enjoy them hot with crispy flaky lachcha parathas, roti, naan 😉 I had it today with Whole wheat minty Laccha paratha , was damn ired to even click , so next time 🙂

Love 

YYCK