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Dhaba style paneer masala in a kadhai with a wooden ladle
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Dhaba Style Paneer Masala

A spicy, flavorful paneer curry with the same rustic flavors from a highway-side dhaba. Serve it with rice, naan, or roti for a delicious meal!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 4 people
Author: Richa

Ingredients

For green paste

  • 2 tomatoes chopped
  • ½ cup coriander leaves
  • ¼ cup mint leaves pudina leaves
  • 2 green chillies

Spice powders

  • 1 teaspoon kashmiri chilli powder
  • ½ teaspoon coriander powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon pepper powder
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ½ teaspoon chat masala
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garam masala

For gravy

  • 250 grams paneer cut into cubes
  • 1 ½ tablespoons oil
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds whole jeera
  • 2 cardamoms
  • 3 cloves
  • 1 inch cinnamon
  • ½ cup chopped onions 60 gms
  • 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
  • ¼ cup curds whisked
  • ¼ teaspoon kasuri methi dry fenugreek leaves
  • ¾ cup hot water

Instructions

Making green masala paste

  • Add all the ingredients mentioned under green paste in a mixer and grind till smooth. Set aside.
    2 tomatoes chopped, ½ cup coriander leaves, ¼ cup mint leaves, 2 green chillies

For the gravy

  • Heat oil & ghee in a kadai or pan. Add cumin seeds, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon and saute for a minute.
    1 ½ tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon ghee, ½ teaspoon cumin seeds, 2 cardamoms, 3 cloves, 1 inch cinnamon
  • Add chopped onions and fry for 4-5 minutes until golden brown.
    ½ cup chopped onions
  • Add ginger garlic paste and fry for a minute.
    1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
  • Add green masala paste and fry for 3-5 minutes till the oil separates from the sides.
  • Add all the spice powders except garam masala powder, mix it well and cook for 3 minutes. Keep stirring to make sure the spice powders do not stick to the pan.
    1 teaspoon kashmiri chilli powder, ½ teaspoon coriander powder, ½ teaspoon cumin powder, ⅛ teaspoon pepper powder, ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder, ½ teaspoon chat masala, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
  • Turn the flame to low and add whisked curds and cook till oil separates.
    ¼ cup curds
  • Add ¾ cup hot water and boil for 3-4 minutes.
    ¾ cup hot water
  • Add garam masala powder and kasuri methi and mix well. Finally add paneer & cook for 3 minutes. Top with chopped coriander and serve hot.
    ¼ teaspoon garam masala, ¼ teaspoon kasuri methi, 250 grams paneer cut into cubes

Nutrition

Calories: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 749mg | Potassium: 496mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 874IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 447mg | Iron: 3mg