One bite of Paneer Butter Masala, and you’ll be transported to a world of flavour. This recipe is definitively one of the tastiest dishes I’ve ever had the pleasure of making. It’s a curry that will have you wondering why you hadn’t tried it at home sooner. The best part? The big taste can make be made in a small kitchen – it’s entirely possible, even for those who thought dishes like these were reserved for eating out.
Rekindling the Love for Indian Cuisine
For me, this recipe has done more than just provide a delightful meal; it’s reinvigorated my love for Indian food with its vibrant mix of fresh ginger, the electrifying heat of green chilies, and the tangy creaminess of the curry coating those tender paneer pieces. It’s a dish that brings the essence of India right into your home kitchen.
One of the wonderful things about this recipe is that it inspired me to make a small change in my cooking habits—I started using fresh tomatoes in my curry instead of canned or previously cooked tomatoes. It adds a delightful freshness that elevates the dish and is surprisingly easy to do. Although it requires a little bit of prep time, I love using fresh spices and aromatics in cooking, especially ginger, garlic, and chillies.
Family-Friendly and Toddler Approved
In our home, Paneer Butter Masala has become a family dinner that can easily be adapted for little ones. Depending on the levels of spice or heat tolerance at your table, you can adjust the chili level to suit your child’s palate. It has become a staple in our family’s meal rotation, and it’s the one we all look forward to the most.
Serving Tip for Kids and Toddlers:
When serving Paneer Butter Masala to little ones, consider using green chilies instead of red chilies in the recipe. Green chilies have a milder heat and a colour that makes them easier to spot and avoid on their plate. This way, you can ensure that the dish remains enjoyable and not too spicy for their sensitive taste buds. It’s a simple adjustment that allows the whole family to savour this delicious meal together, with everyone’s comfort in mind.
A Complete Meal Experience
I recommend serving it alongside basmati rice, yogurt, roti, and cucumber-onion salad. The combination of flavours is a fantastic meal.
This recipe is adapted and simplified from Dasana’s Veg Recipes of India, for which I am incredibly grateful. You can find the original recipe and detailed instructions on their website here.
Delectable Restaurant-Worthy Paneer Butter Masala at Home
Adapted from Dasana’s Veg Recipes of India
Ingredients
30 raw cashews
1/2 cup hot water
4-5 large or medium size tomatoes
4-5 cloves of garlic
1.5 – 2 inches of ginger
250 grams of paneer
2 tablespoons of butter
2 bay leaves
green chillies to taste
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon garam masala
Directions
- Prepare
- Soak cashews in hot water (enough to cover) and let sit for 10 minutes while preparing the rest of the ingredients
- Thoroughly blend fresh tomatoes
- Grate/mince garlic and ginger to create garlic and ginger pastes in roughly equal quantity
- Thinly slice the green chilies
- Cube the paneer
- Cook
- Melt butter in a pot and add bay leaves, sauté until fragrant (<1 minute)
- Add garlic and ginger paste to the pot and stir until the raw ginger and garlic scents fade
- Add the pureed tomatoes to the pot and cook on medium heat
- Next, blend the cashews with half a cup of water until as liquid
- After 5 – 10 minutes of cooking, once the tomato mixture turns from pink to red, strain the blended cashews into the pot and stir well
- Add salt and green chilies
- Simmer to desired thickness and then add the garam masala and paneer pieces, mix, and remove from the heat
Notes
- A splash of cream is optional
Conclusion:
From our kitchen to yours, we invite you to enjoy the magic of Paneer Butter Masala. Share it with your loved ones, including the little ones who will surely appreciate its bold and delicious flavor. It’s a dish that brings joy to our dinner table, and we’re confident it will do the same for yours.
Stay tuned for more culinary adventures right here at Ginger & Tea, where we believe that the heart of every home is in its kitchen.
