Paneer Butter Masala

I have always been intrigued by this question. Honestly, other than using butter and bit of garam masala , I do not see how paneer butter masala is different from shahi paneer. So you can just use the below steps for both the recipes.

What is butter paneer?

This famous cottage cheese curry is a signature dish of Indian main course. It is a creamy soft cottage cheese curry which just melts into your mouth. It never disappoints. This curry just melts into the mouth. Most noteworthy, this recipe is a favorite with all age groups. It has minimum spices but is still rich and yummy. It is also kid friendly and even aged people can eat it. Bachelors love it, so do the groups of large families.

How to make your own cottage cheese?

You can also make your own cottage cheese. It is simple. Just add some lemon juice to the boiling milk and separate the whey. You may also use apple cider vinegar to make it. Add 2 tablespoon to 1-2 liters of full fat milk. The higher the fat  content, the better cheese you get. Let it simmer until whey separates. Switch off the flame once cheese separates. Strain it using a sieve or a muslin cloth.

How to use whey?

Do not throw the water which separates.This whey is very rich in proteins. You can use it instead of water while kneading roti dough or use it to make rice. You can add it to lentils while boiling dal. Whey stays in a glass bottle in refrigerator for 2-3 days max.

Use the fresh cottage cheese to make bhurji or scramble.If you like to make a block of cheese, add the fresh cheese to a cake tin and put some weight on top so that you can get it pressed and it reduces to a block in the morning.Cut slices and make the desired curry.

Many non-vegetarians also love their cottage cheese. Make this curry for any special occasion. If you love yours, you can make it in advance. Alternatively, buy some from any local dairy over the weekend. These days even Costco sells it outside India. You may however make this with Halloumi too. Whip up a quick treat if you have guests coming home at a short notice.

What can we eat with paneer?

Probably, most people order it with Tandoori roti or Rumali Roti at a restaurant.Butter naan or garlic nan also tastes great. This dhaba style makhni curry is the first choice of many. It may also make or break a reviewer's opinion about a restaurant. You can pair it with Pindi chole and rajma for any party. However, it is easy to make at home. Matar Paneer and tikka masala are two other curries which are most ordered recipes.  

Is Paneer good for health?

Yes !  Below are some benefits.

• Rich source of protein.
• Super dose of calcium.
• Improves metabolism.
• It is rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
• Good for diabetics, cancer prevention.
• Reduces risk of heart diseases.

Equipment

• Blender
• pan

Ingredients

• 400 grams ricotta/cottage cheese cubes
• 4 tablespoon oil/ghee clarified butter/butter
• 1 tablespoon ginger
• 1 tablespoon chopped green chillies

For gravy

• 2 medium onion
• 3 large tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon coriander powder
• ½ tablespoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1.5 teaspoon garam masala powder
• 2-3 soaked cashews/almonds
• 2 cups water
• ¼ cup cream(optional)
• 1 tablespoon kasuri methi / dried fenugreek leaves
• Salt as per taste

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan.
2. Add chopped onions, tomatoes over medium heat. Now add the spices along with chopped almonds/cashews.

3. Cook until tomatoes soften.

4. Add water and blend to make a buttery sauce. 5. Sieve the onion tomato sauce.

6. Add the sauce to the pan along with cream and cottage cheese cubes. Let it come to a boil. 7. Serve the curry hot with tandoori roti or paratha.

Note: If you are allergic to almonds, you can also make it with cashews. Panir kaju recipe also tastes the same. Just replace almonds with cashews in the same quantity.

How to make Paneer Masala? (video)

Read the recipe.

Print Recipe

4.5 from 12 votes

Paneer butter masala recipe

Make restaurant style Paneer butter masala and celebrate life. Yummy curry like these make any ordinary day special.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time40 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: paneer butter masala, shahi paneer

Servings: 4

Author: bhavana bhatia

Equipment

• Blender
• pan

Ingredients

• 400 grams paneer/cottage cheese cubes
• 4 tablespoon oil/ghee clarified butter/butter
• 2 medium onion
• 1 tablespoon ginger
• 1 tablespoon chopped green chillies
• 3 large tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon coriander powder
• ½ tablespoon red chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• ½ tablespoon garam masala
• 2-3 soaked cashews/almonds
• 2 cups water
• ¼ cup cream(optional)
• 1 tablespoon crushed kasuri methi / dried fenugreek leaves
• Salt as per taste

Instructions

• Heat 3 tablespoonoil and add onions & salt,saute for 5 mins.
• Add ginger & chillies with tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes.
• Add salt, cashews or almonds and cook until soft.
• Now add all the spices and mix well.
• Add 2 cups of water and mix. Blend once cool.
• In a pan, add 1 tablespoon ghee/oil/butter with blended onion tomato puree .
• Add cottage cheese cubes to the gravy with cream, kasuri methi and let it come to a boil.
• Garnish with a teaspoon of chopped coriander.
• Serve hot with roti or jeera rice.

Variations

You may use ginger garlic paste as per your taste instead of only ginger in the recipe.

If you like it spicier, use more green chillies or add more hot red chilli powder. Kashmiri red chilli powder gives more color to the sauce but it is milder in taste. Use red paprika if Kashmiri red chili powder is not available.

Need more special paneer recipes?

• Quick matar paneer(in pressure cooker)
• Achari paneer
• Paneer tikka masala
• Paneer pakoda
• Palak paneer

Click recipe finally to see more videos.