Paneer Butter Masala

Paneer butter masala

                   Paneer butter masala is one of the most famous paneer dish.

Paneer butter masala  is made of tomato puree and the regular Indian herbs-spices. It has a slight sweet taste and very mildly spiced. 

                                                  Generally in   butter paneer, cream is added. To  give a creamy consistency and a sweet tinge, you can substitute cream with cashew paste.

When making paneer butter masala, make sure to use ripe, red and firm tomatoes. Also use good quality fresh paneer or make your own homemade paneer. Making paneer at home is easy . Vegans can make the same recipe with tofu and vegan butter as substitutes for paneer and butter respectively.
Ingredients and Measurements Used

• 200 or 250 gms  paneer/cottage cheese, cubed or diced
  
• 1/2 cup fresh cream
  
• 4-5 medium size tomatoes chopped
  
• 1 onion sliced
  
• 1 or 2 green chili, slit
  
• 1 inch ginger  crushed
  
• 3-4 garlic  crushed
  
• 1  bay leaf
  
• 3-4 cardamon
  
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
  
• 1 or 2 cloves
  
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder
  
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder
  
   
• 1 tsp kasuri methi/dry fenugeek leaves
  
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cups water
• a few coriander leaves for garnishing (optional)
  
• salt and sugar as required  

Required

• Blender

• Pan
  

Method

1.Heat a pan and add 1 tsp butter .

2.Add bay leaf,cardamon,cumin seeds,cloves into the pan.

3.After 10 seconds add ginger,garlic,green chilli.

4.After some seconds add onion and saute until onion becomes transparent.

5.Now add the tomato ,turmeric,coriander and chilli powder and saute until tomato becomes soft.

6.Turn off the flame and allow the masala mixture to cool.

7.Now put the mixture inside the blender and blend it until it becomes smooth paste.

8.Now heat a pan and add 1 tsp butter.

9.Add  the blended mixture in the pan and add water and salt.

10.When the masala start to boil ,add paneer and cook it for 5-8 minutes.

11.Now add  cream and cook for another 2 minutes.
12.Add kasuri methi and check the taste and add sugar if you need.

           Transfer the Paneer butter masala into a serving bowl and garnish with coriander leaves.