Makhani Paneer Recipe
Makhani paneer is a spicy recipe in which the homemade paneer cheese is cooked in a creamy, buttery sauce with tomatoes and typical Indian spices. Makhani means nothing other than buttery. The name is derived from the word “makhan”, which can be translated as “homemade butter”.
This dish is the vegetarian version of Murgh Makhani, which is better known outside India as “Butter Chicken”. Butter chicken was invented by Kundan Lal Gujral in his restaurant Moti Mahal in Delhi and has since become one of the most popular Indian dishes around the world. The chicken used in the original recipe is often transformed into a vegetarian dish by substituting paneer, mushrooms or lentils.
Paneer – A kind of tofu?
Paneer is a firm cheese which can be used in a similar way to tofu. It is made by curdling milk with lemon juice and is easy to cut into cubes. Paneer is therefore ideal for many Indian curry recipes such as Paneer Butter Masala, Palak Paneer, Shahi Paneer or Matar Paneer.
4 SERVINGS
Ingredients
200 g Paneer
200 ml water
250 g tomatoes, diced
3 tbs cream
2 tbs butter
1 tej patta (Indian bay leaf)
1 tsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
½ tsp red chili powder
2 green chilis, chopped
¼ tsp Garam Masala
½ tsp dry fenugreek leaves, crushed
Salt, to taste
Preparation
First wash ripe tomatoes, cut into pieces and then blend in a blender to a smooth puree. Set the tomato puree to one side.
Now melt the butter in a pan and briefly fry the bay leaf in it. Then add Ginger-Garlic Paste and fry for a few seconds. Now add tomato puree and stir well.
Now season the sauce with chili powder and Garam Masala and simmer over a low heat for about 15 minutes. Keep stirring, add water at the end and simmer for another 7-8 minutes.
Then add the fenugreek leaves and green chilis, season with salt and gently stir in the paneer cubes. Now turn off the heat and carefully stir in the cream. Serve the Paneer Makhani with roti, naan, paratha or rice.
What do you think?
We are interested in your opinion. Have you tried this recipe? Let us know how you liked it. Make a comment, rate it or post your own photo with #lovefoodasia on Instagram. Thanks for your support!