Indian Cottage Cheese and bell peppers are cooked in freshly ground spicy masala! Kadai Paneer is one of the most popular Indian paneer recipes and is best enjoyed with naan or roti!
1largegreen bell pepper (capsicum)cut into 1-inch pieces
225gramspaneercubed, if using store-bought paneer soak it in warm water for 20-25 minutes before using
1teaspoonkasuri methidried fenugreek leaves
cilantroto garnish
Instructions
Make the Kadai Masala
To a small kadai or pan, dry roast the spices for kadai masala for 3 to 4 minutes on medium heat until fragrant. Add more red chilies for a spicier masala.
Remove kadai from heat and transfer the roasted spices to a spice grinder.
Let it cool down a bit and then grind to a fine powder. Set aside. You can also make this kadai masala in advance and store it.
Make the Kadai Paneer
In a large kadai or any other pan, now melt butter with oil on medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and saute for 3 minutes until softened. Then add the sliced green chili and ginger garlic paste and saute for another 1 to 2 minutes.
Then add the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste. Mix and cook for around 6 minutes until tomatoes are really soft.
Then add 3 to 4 teaspoons of the kadai masala that you prepared earlier (or add the whole thing if you like it spicy). Also add the garam masala, kashmiri red chili powder.
Add half of the ginger julienne. Stir the spices and cook for 30 seconds.
Then add 1/2 cup water and stir.
Add cream, salt and sugar and mix. Cook for one minute.
Add in the paneer and bell peppers (capsicum) and mix. Cover the pan or kadai with a lid and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on medium heat until bell peppers are slightly softened. You only want them half cooked here.
Crush kasuri methi and add to the pan.
Garnish with remaining ginger julienne and cilantro. Serve kadai paneer with naan or paratha.
Notes
To make this Kadai Paneer spicier• use double the amount of red chilies while making the kadai masala.• use the entire kadai masala in the recipe. I have used 3 to 4 teaspoons of the masala and was left with some.• use 1/2 teaspoon garam masala in place of 1/4.