Indian Meal: Malai Paneer, Mixed Dal, Spiced Potatoes & Paratha
Summary
- This video showcases a delicious Indian meal featuring three distinct dishes: creamy Malai Paneer, a hearty Mixed Dal made with five types of lentils, and flavorful Spiced Potatoes. Served with flaky Paratha, this meal offers a rich and diverse taste of North Indian cuisine beyond typical butter chicken and garlic naan.
All Ingredients - For Malai Paneer
- Paneer 300 g
- Red Onion 1 large, chopped
- Cashews 1/4 cup
- Cumin Seeds 1 tsp
- Green Cardamom Pods 3-4
- Bay Leaves 1-2
- Cloves 2-3
- Ginger-Garlic Paste 1 tbsp
- Green Chilies 1-2, slit
- Heavy Cream 1/2 cup
- Milk 1/2 cup
- Oil or Ghee 2 tbsp
- Salt to taste
- Kasoori Methi (Dried Fenugreek Leaves) 1 tsp
All Ingredients - For Mixed Dal
- Mixed Lentils (5 varieties) 1 cup
- Red Onion 1/2, chopped
- Tomato 1, chopped
- Ginger-Garlic Paste 1 tsp
- Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp
- Red Chili Powder 1/2 tsp
- Coriander Powder 1 tsp
- Cumin Powder 1/2 tsp
- Garam Masala 1/2 tsp
- Oil or Ghee 1 tbsp
- Water 3 cups
- Salt to taste
- Fresh Cilantro for garnish
All Ingredients - For Spiced Potatoes (Aloo Dum style)
- Potatoes 4-5 medium, boiled, peeled, and cubed
- Red Onion 1, chopped
- Tomato 1, chopped or pureed
- Ginger-Garlic Paste 1 tbsp
- Cumin Seeds 1 tsp
- Bay Leaf 1
- Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp
- Red Chili Powder 1 tsp
- Coriander Powder 1.5 tsp
- Garam Masala 1/2 tsp
- Oil 2 tbsp
- Salt to taste
All Ingredients - For Flaky Paratha
- Whole Wheat Flour (Atta) 2 cups
- Water as needed, for kneading
- Salt 1/2 tsp
- Oil or Ghee 2 tbsp for dough, more for cooking
Tools You'll Need
- Pan
- Pressure cooker
- Tawa
- Griddle
- Blender
- Mixing bowl
Plan Ahead
Up to 30 min of hands-off time you can shift to earlier.
- Step 6 · Soak30 min
…ve varieties) under running water until the water runs clear. You may soak them for 30 minutes prior to cooking for faster results, though not e…
Don't have an ingredient? Try these swaps
No Paneer?
- Extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed — Pan-fry first for closer texture.
- Halloumi — Saltier; reduce added salt.
No Onion?
- 1 tbsp onion powder (per medium onion)
- 3 tbsp dried minced onion
- Shallots or leeks (1:1)
No Bay leaf?
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme (per leaf)
- Pinch of dried oregano
No Garlic (fresh)?
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (per clove)
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules (per clove)
No Heavy cream?
- 3/4 cup whole milk + 1/4 cup melted butter — Good for sauces, not whipping.
- Equal parts evaporated milk
- Full-fat coconut milk (1:1) — Adds mild coconut flavor.
No Milk?
- Unsweetened almond / soy / oat milk (1:1)
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk + 1/2 cup water (per 1 cup)
No Ghee?
- Unsalted butter (1:1)
- Neutral oil (1:1, lacks the toasted note)
No Garam masala?
- 1 tsp cumin + 1/2 tsp coriander + 1/4 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp cardamom
No Cilantro?
- Flat-leaf parsley (1:1, milder)
- Fresh mint (in chutneys, salads)
⚠ Contains Allergens
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Malai Paneer - Cut Paneer
Begin by cutting the paneer block into small, bite-sized cubes, as shown in the video.
Step 2: Prepare Malai Paneer - Sauté Base
In a pan, heat 2 tablespoons of oil or ghee. Add 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds, 3-4 green cardamom pods, 1-2 bay leaves, and 2-3 cloves. for until fragrant. Then add 1 large chopped red onion, 1/4 cup cashews, 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste, and 1-2 slit green chilies. until onions are translucent, about .
Step 3: Prepare Malai Paneer - Simmer Gravy Base
Pour in 1/2 cup of heavy cream and 1/2 cup of milk into the pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle , stirring occasionally, for about .
Step 4: Prepare Malai Paneer - Blend Gravy
Carefully transfer the onion-cashew mixture with the liquid into a blender. Blend until a smooth, thick, and creamy paste is formed.
Step 5: Prepare Malai Paneer - Finish Gravy
Pour the blended gravy back into the pan. Add the paneer cubes, 1 teaspoon of Kasoori Methi, and salt to taste. for another , allowing the paneer to absorb the flavors and the gravy to thicken slightly.
Step 6: Prepare Mixed Dal - Wash Lentils
Thoroughly wash 1 cup of mixed lentils (five varieties) under running water until the water runs clear. You may soak them for prior to cooking for faster results, though not explicitly shown.
Step 7: Prepare Mixed Dal - Cook in Instant Pot
In an Instant Pot, heat 1 tablespoon of oil or ghee. Add 1/2 chopped red onion and until soft. Add 1 chopped tomato, 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp red chili powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, and 1/2 tsp cumin powder. Cook for until the raw smell of spices disappears. Add the washed lentils, 3 cups of water, and salt to taste. Pressure cook on high for , then allow natural pressure release.
Step 8: Prepare Mixed Dal - Temper and Finish
Once the dal is cooked, stir in 1/2 tsp garam masala. For (not explicitly shown but common), heat a small amount of ghee, add cumin seeds, asafoetida, and dried red chilies, then pour over the dal. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Step 9: Prepare Spiced Potatoes
In a pan, heat 2 tablespoons of oil. Add 1 tsp cumin seeds and 1 bay leaf. for . Add 1 chopped red onion and until golden brown. Add 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste and 1 chopped/pureed tomato, cooking until the oil separates. Stir in 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp red chili powder, 1.5 tsp coriander powder, and salt to taste. Cook the spices for . Add the boiled and cubed potatoes, mixing well to coat them with the spices. Cook for , stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are heated through and slightly browned. Finish with 1/2 tsp garam masala.
Step 10: Prepare Flaky Paratha
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of whole wheat flour with 1/2 tsp salt and 2 tbsp oil or ghee. Gradually add water and to form a soft, pliable dough. Cover and for . Divide the dough into equal portions, roll each into a thin circle, apply a little oil/ghee, fold, and roll again to create layers. Cook each paratha on a hot tawa (griddle) with a little oil or ghee until golden brown spots appear on both sides and it's cooked through.
Step 11: Serve the Meal
Serve the hot Malai Paneer, Mixed Dal, and Spiced Potatoes with freshly made flaky Parathas. Optionally, serve with masala onions or a side of pickle.
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