Chilli Paneer

Paneer is a fresh cheese common in the Indian subcontinent. It is an unaged, non-melting soft cheese made by curdling milk with a fruit- or vegetable-derived acid, such as lemon juice. Its acid-set form, (cheese curd) before pressing, is called chhena. 

As of now, many would have guessed that I eat veggies very less… and had complaints from friends of not sharing much of Veg recipes. So here it is..Chilli Paneer (Indian cottage cheese) tossed in a flavorful and spicy soy sauce, chilies and vinegar. This is a recipe I tried from an online food video with slight variation from my side. Try this recipe for the weekend and have a great time with family..

Ingredients:

Paneer - 2 cups (cut to cube pieces)

Onions - 1 large (cut to cube)

Capcicum - 1 small each (red, yellow, green, cut to cube- optional)

Green chillies - 3 nos (slit to half)

Garlic - 2 tsp (chopped)

Ginger - 2 tsp (chopped)

Soya sauce - 3 tsp

Tomato sauce - 4 tbsp

Vinegar - 1 tsp

Black pepper powder - ½ tsp

Sugar - a pinch

Salt - to taste

Spring onions - 2 tbsp (for garnishing- optional)

Kashmiri chilli powder - 1 tsp

Water- 4 tbsp

OIl - 3 tbsp (for cooking)

Oil - for frying

For the marination: 

Paneer pieces

Kashmiri chilli powder - 2 tsp

Corn flour - 3 tbsp

Salt - to taste

Preparation:

- In a bowl, combine the marination ingredients together and mix well. Keep aside for half an hour (make sure the paneer is well coated in the marination).

- Heat oil in a kadai and deep fry the well coated paneer cubes to slightly brown in color and keep aside for the oil to drain. 

- In another kadai, heat 3 tbsp of oil. Add ginger, garlic chopped and fry for a sec. Now add onions and fry till translucent. Now add the capcicum and fry till soft. 

- In a small bowl, add kashmiri chilli powder, water and make a liquid paste. Pour the mixture into the sauted onions.

- Now, add the green chillies, soy sauce, tomato sauce, vinegar, pepper powder, sugar and saute for a sec for a minute on high flame. Add salt at this stage.

- Once done, lower the flame to medium and add fried paneer cubes and mix well for 2 minutes. (Check salt and spice at this stage and add accordingly)

- Once done, garnish with chopped spring onions and serve hot. 

- A great side dish with Fried rice or any Chinese dishes.

Note:

- This is a very spicy dish. Please adjust the spice and salt accordingly. 

- The marinated Paneer pieces should be kept aside for at least half an hour or taste. 

- You can replace other veggies from paneer and cook the same dish. 

- I have not added capciscum or spring onions to the dish. Adding them is optional.