Paneer Masala
Makes 1 Serving
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp black cardamom pods
- 7 bay leaves
- 5 cinnamon sticks
- 1½ cups water
For Masala Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp whole cumin
- ¼ cup ginger, minced
- ¼ cup onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp coriander, ground
- pinch of ground turmeric
- pinch of ground cumin
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- ¼ cup water
- ½ tsp chili powder
- salt to taste
To Finish
- ¾ cup cream
- 1 tbsp fenugreek leaves
- 1 cup paneer (Indian fresh farm cheese), cut into ¾” cubes
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- salt for seasoning (optional)
- basmati rice or naan for serving
How-to
Heat & Steep Spices
- Place a small sauté pan over high heat. Toast cardamom, bay leaves and cinnamon sticks at last 20 seconds to release essential oils
- Add 1½ cups water to pan and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and allow spices to steep in water while beginning sauce
Prepare Masala Sauce
- Heat oil in separate medium sauté pan over medium-high
- Add whole cumin to oil and stir. Add onions and sauté 1 minute. Add turmeric and coriander, stir
- Add crushed tomatoes, ¼ cup water, chili powder. Season with salt to taste
- With a fine mesh strainer, strain the steeped spice water into the sauté pan of sauce. Stir and allow to simmer and reduce, until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes
Add Cream, Fenugreek & Paneer
- Finish with cream, fenugreek leaves, and paneer
- Allow to simmer 1 minute longer, then garnish with cilantro
- Serve with basmati rice or naan
Note: Making paneer at home is a very simple process: bring ½ gallon of whole milk to a boil. Once it starts to boil and foam in saucepan, remove from heat and add 2 tbsp lemon or lime juice. Stir until the curds separate from the whey. Allow the mixture to sit (to develop the curds) for 10-15 minutes. Strain through a double layer of cheesecloth. When it is cool to the touch, form into a ball through the cheesecloth, and strain any remaining moisture. Flatten onto a plate into a disk with the help of a heavy-bottomed saucepan. The cheese can be cut and used immediately