Kadai Paneer is a spicy and scrumptious curry prepared with paneer cubes and veggies. As the name suggests, it is made and served in a kadai/kadhai (Kadai is a deep Indian wok). This restaurant style kadai paneer is bit spicy because of the green pepper, green chilies and all other spices that are used to make this delicious gravy.
Paneer is a super soft Indian cottage cheese. Paneer cubes are cooked in onion-tomato gravy along with bell pepper and flavored with aromatic Indian spices. It’s a popular main course dish in Indian restaurants or Dhabas (Road side restaurants on Indian highways).
It can be made in various forms like dry/semi-dry or gravy. Dry version of Kadai Paneer has minimal gravy, enough to coat paneer cubes and bell peppers. I like the gravy version of this curry, as it goes well with bread or rice.
Below is my version of restaurant style kadai paneer gravy:
Kadai Paneer is a delicious curry made with vegetables like onions, tomatoes and capsicum along with paneer. It's spicy and tastes awesome with parathas, naan or rice.
- 1 tsp Oil
- 1+3/4 medium Onions
- 2-3 Tomatoes
- 1 tbsp Oil
- 1 tbsp Butter optional
- 8-10 Paneer cubes
- 1/4 Onion
- 1/2 Green Bell Pepper
- 4-5 cloves Garlic
- 1/2 inch Ginger
- 2 Green Chillies
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
- 2 tsp Garam Masala
- 2 tsp Sabji Masala
- 3/4 cup Water
- 1 tsp Whipped Cream
- 1 tbsp Kasuri Methi
- Salt as per taste
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In a kadai, add little oil. Shallow fry paneer cubes and keep aside.
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Now add onions and tomatoes. Sprinkle some salt. Saute for 2-3 minutes and switch off the gas.
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Allow the mixture to cool completely. Meanwhile, cut the onion and capsicum into square pieces.
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Once cooled, blend the onion tomato mixture into smooth puree.
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Now in a same kadai we used earlier, add butter and remaining oil. Add some garlic with a garlic press and saute.
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Then add onion tomato puree. Add ground chilly-ginger paste and some salt. Saute and cook for 5-6 mins.
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Now add turmeric, chilli powder, garam masala and sabji masala. Mix well and cover with a lid. Cook for 10-12 min. or until gravy starts to leave oil from the sides.
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Now add square onion and capsicum pieces. Mix well.
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After a minute or two, add whipped cream and paneer cubes. Adjust the consistency by adding some water.
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Mix everything well and cook for some time. Sprinkle kasuri methi. Check for salt.
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Kadai Paneer is now ready. Serve hot with parathas/naan/rice.
- I have used frozen paneer cubes for the recipe. Paneer cubes are thawed by placing them in the water before making the curry.
- I have used store bought spices (Everest Garam Masala and Everest Sabji masala) but you can use home made spices as per your choice and taste.
Step by Step Recipe of Kadai Paneer :
- We require below ingredients to make Kadai Paneer gravy.
- In a kadai, add a little oil. Shallow fry paneer cubes and keep aside. In a same kadai, add chopped onions and tomatoes. Saute for a while.
- Now add the chopped onions and tomatoes to a blender and blend into a smooth puree.
- In a same kadai, add butter and oil. Add garlic with a garlic press. Also add ground chilly-ginger mixture and saute.
- Now add onion tomato puree and saute. Cook for 6-8 mins.
- After it’s cooked a bit, add all the spices, mix well and cover with a lid. Cook until gravy starts to leave oil from the sides.
- Now add onion and capsicum pieces to the gravy. Cook again for a while.
- Adjust the consistency by adding some water. Then add the whipped cream and mix well. Add paneer cubes.
- After a minute or two, sprinkle some kasuri methi and mix gently.
- Delicious Kadai Paneer is now ready.
- Serve hot with parathas or naan or rice.
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