Dhaniya or Cilantro Paneer..Go Green.

Paneer or Indian cottage cheese is a novelty for the vegetarians. It is widely loved by all age groups due to its varied uses. You can make appetizers, dry sabji or mouth watering curries with it and not to forget some very delicious desserts. A Paneer dish is a must when I am cooking some Indian cuisine for my guests.

Here is an interesting twist to the regular Paneer curries. Its flavored with cilantro leaves and brings a beautiful green color to your platter. And not to mention, its absolutely delicious. 😛

Lets cook up some greeny delight

Ingredients:

Paneer or Indian Cottage Cheese – 500 Grams

Chopped Cilantro leaves – 3/4 cup (Feel free to use some chopped stems as well here, so much better than throwing them away)

Green Chilies – 2, optional, to taste

Garlic – 3 cloves

Ginger – 1/2 inch stick

Oil – 2 tbsp.

Onion – 2 medium, Finely grated or pureed

tomatoes – 3 medium, pureed

Ginger Garlic paste – 2 tsp

Red Chilly Powder – 1 tsp, more or less per your spice levels

Coriander Powder – 1 tsp

Cumin Powder – 1/2 tsp

Garam Masala Powder – 1/2 tsp

Salt to taste

Fenugreek leaves powder or kasoori methi – 1 tsp

Cardamom Powder – 1/4 tsp

Cream – 1/2 cup

Procedure:

1. If you are using fresh homemade paneer, cut it into small cubes and keep aside. You can also fry the paneer cubes if you like. I did not fry it. If you just took out the paneer from the fridge, cut the pieces and put them in a bowl of warm water until ready to use. That will ensure softer paneer cubes in your curry.
2. Blend together the chopped cilantro, green chilies, garlic cloves and ginger to a fine paste and keep aside. Add some water if needed.
3. Heat oil in a large pan and add in the ginger garlic paste and cook for a minute. Add in the finely grated onions and let it cook for at least 5 minutes till the onions are nicely browned.
4. Mix in the tomato puree and cook till you see some oil separating from the tomatoes. Should take another 3 – 4 minutes.
5. Its time to add in the cilantro leaves paste and mix everything well.
6. Lets season our curry with salt, red chilly powder, coriander and cumin powder, mix well and add about 1/2 cup of water.
7. Once, the water comes to boil, add in the paneer cubes and let it cook for a few more minutes. Add in the garam masala powder, the fenugreek leaves powder and the cardamom powder. These spices are added towards the end to retain their fragrance.
8. Finally mix in the cream and switch off the gas.
9. Garnish with a spring of cilantro and serve hot with your favorite Indian bread or rice.

So there is an interesting way to cook the good old paneer. I hope you will give it a try and me know your thoughts.

Thanks so much for reading.

Love,

Ritu. 🙂