Paneer Bhurji is a vegetarian dish made with scrambled paneer (Indian cottage cheese) onions, tomatoes and spices. It goes well with flatbreads like paratha and is also great on a toast for quick breakfast.
250gramspaneercrumbled, around 2 cups crumbled paneer
1inchgingercrushed using a mortar-pestle
4-5largegarlic clovescrushed using a mortar-pestle
1-2green chiliescrushed using a mortar-pestle
1tablespoonvegetable oil15 ml
1tablespoonghee15 ml
1/2teaspooncumin seeds
1/4teaspoonfennel seeds
1/4teaspoonhingasafoetida
1mediumred onionchopped
2mediumtomatoesde-seeded & chopped
1teaspooncoriander powder
3/4teaspoonpav bhaji masala
1/4teaspoonturmeric powder
1/4teaspoonred chili powderor to taste (I usually just use kashmiri red chili powder)
3/4teaspoonsaltor to taste
2tablespoonscilantrochopped
lemon juice
Instructions
Start by crumbing the paneer with your hands and then set it aside. Also crush the ginger, garlic and chilies using a mortar and pestle and set aside.
Put a pan on medium heat and add the oil and ghee to it. Add the cumin seeds and fennel seeds and let them sizzle and then add the hing and stir.
Now, add the chopped onion, along with crushed green chilies, ginger and garlic. Stir and cook for 5 minutes until it turns light golden brown in color.
Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
Now, add all the spices- coriander powder, pav bhaji masala, turmeric and red chili powder. Also add the salt, mix and cook the spices for 30 seconds.
Add the crumbled paneer and mix until the paneer is mixed well with rest of the masala. Cook the paneer for 2 to 3 minutes only. Do not overcook else it will become rubbery and chewy.
Add in freshly chopped cilantro and squeeze in some fresh lemon juice and serve paneer bhurji with paratha or on a toast!
Video
Notes
Do not over-cook the paneer, it will become rubbery and chewy.
Use fresh homemade paneer for best results. If using store-bought paneer, remember to soak it in hot water for 20 minutes and then use in the recipe.
If you don't have pav bhaji masala, you can use garam masala in place.