Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1.Sauté Vegetables

   Heat 2 tsp of oil in a pan. Add 1 diced onion and 1 diced capsicum. Sauté for 2 minutes until the onions become transparent. Remove from the pan and set aside.

2. 2.Fry Paneer

   In the same pan, add 1 tbsp of butter. Once it melts, add 400g of paneer cubes. Fry until the paneer is golden brown on all sides. Remove from the pan and keep aside.

3. 3.Prepare Kadai Masala Powder

   In a dry kadai or pan, add coriander seeds, peppercorns, cinnamon, bay leaves, cumin seeds, cloves, and dry red chilies. Dry roast on medium heat for about 2 minutes until aromatic. Let the spices cool down completely, then grind them into a fine powder.

4. 4.Prepare Gravy Base

   Heat 1 1/2 tbsp of oil in the same kadai. Add garlic cloves and ginger, followed by 2 thinly sliced onions. Sauté until the onions are soft. Then, add 3 chopped tomatoes and cook for 5-8 minutes on medium flame until they turn soft and mushy.

5. 5.Grind Gravy Paste

   Turn off the stove and allow the cooked onion-tomato mixture to cool down. Once cooled, transfer it to a blender and grind to a smooth, fine paste.

6. 6.Cook the Gravy

   In the same kadai, heat 1 tbsp of oil and 1 tbsp of butter. Add the ground onion-tomato paste. Rinse the blender jar with a little water and add it to the kadai. Cook the paste, stirring continuously, until it thickens and the moisture evaporates.

7. 7.Add Spices to Gravy

   Add 1 1/2 tbsp of the freshly prepared Kadai Masala powder, 1 tsp of Kashmiri red chili powder, and 1 tsp of salt to the paste. Mix everything well and cook for a few minutes until the masala is well-cooked and oil starts to separate from the sides.

8. 8.Combine Ingredients

   Add the previously sautéed onion and capsicum to the masala paste and mix well. Pour in 1 1/2 cups of water and stir to combine, forming the gravy.

9. 9.Simmer the Gravy

   Cover the kadai with a lid and let the gravy simmer on medium flame for about 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the gravy to thicken.

10. 10.Add Paneer and Finish

    Uncover the kadai and add the fried paneer cubes to the gravy. Mix gently to coat the paneer. After a minute, add 1 tbsp of fresh cream and sprinkle crushed Kasuri Methi on top. Give it a final gentle mix.

11. 11.Serve

    The delicious Kadai Paneer is ready. Serve hot with naan, roti, or pulao.