Creamy Indian Shahi Paneer (Step by Step) also known as Mughlai Paneer. Shahi Paneer consists of Indian cottage cheese mixed in a creamy gravy. It's so easy to make, great for a weeknight dinner.
WHAT IS SHAHI PANEER?
Creamy Indian Shahi Paneer (Step by Step) is Indian cottage cheese mixed in a creamy gravy. Shahi Paneer originated in North India. It's very popular in Indian restaurants across the globe. This is a vegetarian recipe and is mild spiced.
Anybody who is familiar with North Indian cuisine can tell you it's a dish that defines classic Indian Dinner Recipe classified as Indian comfort food. This Indian recipe is creamy textured because grinding some ingredients including some cashews would help with the creamy texture just like Reshmi Chicken Curry.
WHAT DOES SHAHI PANEER MEAN?
The word 'shahi' means 'royal' in Hindi and paneer means Indian cottage cheese. When you put those together you have Shahi Paneer. I believe they are referring to the texture because it's rich.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BUTTER PANEER AND SHAHI PANEER?
These completely different ingredients, Butter Paneer is like Butter Chicken you have to marinate and then cook it in butter and oil as compare to Shahi Paneer which doesn't require any marination and is made with completely different ingredients.
HOW TO MAKE THAN PANEER SOFT?
Soak the paneer in some salt water and leave it for 15 minutes.
INGREDIENTS
- Tomatoes- I took Roma Tomatoes medium size.
- Onion- I used red onion but you can use white onion as well.
- Cashews- I used 12 unsalted cashews. Just make sure they are unflavored and unsalted.
- Whole spices- they will bring alot of flavor to this recipe.
- Yogurt- I used homemade yogurt but you can use store-bought.
- Paneer- I used store-bought but you can use homemade paneer.
HOW TO MAKE SHAHI PANEER?
Cut the paneer any way you want.
Soak the paneer in some salt water for 15 minutes.
Make the whole spices pouch.
Add the ingredients mention in the recipe card with the pouch and let it cook.
Until it softens and looks like this.
Discard the pouch.
Blend.
Now add oil and butter.
Add yogurt.
Now add powdered spices and salt.
Add the paste and water.
Next add honey.
Add paneer and mix it like in the video.
Let it cook and garnish.
Serve Immediately!
WHAT TO SERVE SHAHI PANNER WITH?
Serve Shahi Paneer with Homemade Chapati and have a cold Sweet Lassi on the side like a true North Indian.
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Let's Make Shahi Paneer!!!
Creamy Indian Shahi Paneer (Step by Step)
Equipment
- blender
Ingredients
In the Pouch
- 1 piece cinnamon stick
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 black cardamom
- 4 cloves
- 2 green cardamoms
Ingredients you need to boil and blend
- 4 medium tomatoes roughly chopped
- 1 large onion roughly chopped
- 12 unsalted cashews
- 1 serrano pepper roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup olive oil or any neutral oil
- 1 dried long red pepper
- ¼ bunch cilantro roughly chopped
- 6 garlic cloves
- ½ inch ginger roughly chopped
- water
Gravy
- ¼ cup olive oil or any neutral oil
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp yogurt
- 1 tbsp honey
Powdered spices and salt
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tbsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt or as needed
Garnish
- 1 tbsp heavy whipping cream whipped
- 1 tsp dried fenugreek leaves hand crushed
Instructions
Soften the Paneer
- Cut the Paneer like in the picture or video soak it in 1 tsp salt and 2½ cup of water.
- Soak the paneer for 15 minutes.
- Discard water.
Make the Pouch
- Make the pouch, add bay leaf, cinnamon stick, black cardamom, cloves, and green cardamom.
- Tie the pouch and set aside. .
Making the Paste
- In a pot, add tomatoes, cashews, onion, 1 cup water, pouch, ⅓ cup of oil, ginger, garlic, dried long red pepper, cilantro, the pouch, and serrano pepper.
- Turn the stove on medium heat, Mix everything well, and let everything get heat up.
- Cover the lid and let it boil for 10 minutes or until everything gets softens.
- Discard the pouch.
- Turn the stove off, and let everything get cool down.
- Transfer everything to a blender until everything becomes a smooth paste.
Gravy
- In the same pot you used before.
- On medium heat, add ¼ cup oil, and let it heat up.
- Now add butter and let it melt.
- Next add yogurt and mix.
- Now add powder spices and salt and mix.
- Next add the paste and mix well!
- Add 1 cup water and mix well.
- Let it cook on medium-low for about 6 minutes.
- Add honey and mix.
- Now add paneer and mix how I mix in the video.
- Cover the lid and cook sit for 6 minutes on medium-low heat.
- Whip the heavy whipping cream until it gets a little thick.
- Garnish with heavy whipping cream and dried fenugreek leaves.
- Enjoy with Basmati rice, naan, or chapati.
- Serve Immediately!
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