Tawa Paneer Masala Recipe

Ingredients

1. 200 to 250 gms paneer/cottage cheese
2. 1 large onion finely chopped, about 100 to 120 gms
3. 1 medium capsicum/green bell pepper, about 80 to 100 gms
4. 3 medium tomatoes, chopped, 180 to 200 gms
5. 4 to 5 medium garlic/lahsun
6. 1 inch ginger/adrak
7. 1 green chili/hari mirch, chopped
8. 1/2 tsp carom seeds/ajwain/omam
9. 1 tsp coriander powder/dhania powder
10. 1/4 tsp red chilli powder/lal mirch powder
11. 1/4 tsp turmeric powder/haldi
12. 1 tsp pav bhaji masala or 1/2 tsp garam masala + 1/4 tsp dry mango powder/amchur powder
13. 2 tbsp butter
14. 1/2 tsp crushed kasuri methi/dry fenugreek leaves
15. Salt as required
16. Few chopped coriander leaves/dhania patta for garnish

Preparation Steps

1. Finely chop the onions and capsicum/green bell pepper.roughly chop the tomatoes, green chili, ginger and garlic.crush the ginger and garlic in a mortar-pestle to a paste.add the chopped tomatoes in a blender and make a smooth puree
2. Keep aside.chop the paneer in ½ inch cubes.melt butter on a tawa or skillet.add the carom seeds/ajwain and fry them for a few seconds or till aromatic.add the onions and saute till translucent.add the ginger-garlic paste, green chilies, finely chopped capsicum/green bell pepper and saute for about 3 minutes.then add the red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder and pav bhaji masala
3. If you don't have pav bhaji masala, add garam masala + amchur powder/dry mango powder.stir and saute for about a minute.then add the tomato puree and salt.stir well and saute till you see butter releasing from the sides and the masala has thickened a bit

4. This takes about 8 to 10 minutes on a low flame.if the tomato masala looks dry, then add 1 or 2 tbsp of water and continue to saute.add the paneer cubes and stir well, so that the masala coats the paneer cubes evenly.cook the paneer for 1 to 2 minutes
5. Then add the crushed kasuri methi/dry fenugreek leaves
6. Stir very well and switch off the flame.garnish with coriander leaves and serve tawa paneer masala with chapatis, phulkas, naan or bread
7. Accompany with a few wedges of lemon slices which can be drizzled on the tawa paneer and a side onion salad.