Paneer Butter Masala
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A rich, buttery, tomato-based curry, lightly spiced and flavored with dried fenugreek leaves.
Author:
Recipe type: Dinner
Cuisine: Indian
Yield: 4 servings
What You Need
  • 8 oz paneer, cut into bite-sized cubes
  • 3 T unsalted butter, plus 1 t ghee or veg oil
  • 2 small onions, finely chopped
  • 1.5 t ginger garlic paste (or 1 t fresh grated ginger & 2 cloves garlic, minced)
  • 3 T raw cashews, ground and mixed with 3 T water to make a paste
  • 1 t kashmiri chili powder
  • ½ cup (115g/4oz) tomato puree/tomato paste
  • 1.5 cups ( 12.5 fl oz) water
  • 1 t sugar
  • ¾ t salt
  • 1 T kasuri methi leaves (dried fenugreek leaves)
  • 3 T coconut milk (from a can, not the beverage)
  • Fresh coriander, for garnishing
How You Make It
  1. Heat the oil and butter in a heavy based pan, or wok.
  2. Add the onion and fry over a medium heat until just beginning to brown, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add the ginger garlic paste and fry 2 minutes.
  4. Add the chili powder and stir into the onion garlic mixture.
  5. Add the tomato paste/puree and the sugar and cook for 3-4 minutes until mixture becomes a little dry.
  6. Turn the heat down to low, add the water, cashew paste and the salt. Gently stir, starting at the center of the pan and working outwards, until all ingredients are incorporated.
  7. Turn the heat up to medium until the sauce begins to bubble. Keep the mixture on a gentle simmer, allowing the sauce to reduce for about 5 minutes.
  8. Turn the heat down to a simmer once more and add the kasuri methi, crumbling it between your fingers as you add it. Now gently fold in the paneer cubes, and continue cooking on low until the cheese is heated through.
  9. Check the seasoning, adding more salt if needed.
  10. Take the pan off the heat and gently stir in the coconut milk.
  11. If you'd like a thinner sauce, simply add in a tablespoon more or so of the coconut milk, or some water.
  12. Plate the curry and sprinkle with chopped, fresh coriander if desired.
Notes
Nutritional breakdown is approximate and for general information only, and will vary depending on specific brands and measurements used.
Recipe by Veggiemental at https://veggiemental.com/paneer-butter-masala/