Kadai paneer with mushrooms

 have already raved about my liking for paneer, so here is yet another very popular paneer recipe. Kadhai paneer is a classic north indian dish. In the recipe, paneer is cooked in a kadhai or wok (hence the name kadhai paneer) with bell peppers in a spicy onion-tomato based sauce with lots of ginger, garlic, cilantro leaves and flavored with kasoori methi. It has a distinct fresh spicy aroma and flavor that compares to nothing else.

This is one of the few non-creamy preparation of paneer easy and quick to make with simple ingredients and is always a crowd pleaser. My hubby likes the combination of paneer and mushrooms very much so I came up with this recipe and it was a big hit :) But using mushrooms is entirely optional. These are great for dinner, lunch, parties or picnics. Can be served with roti or parathas and can also be filled inside sandwich or wraps for a quick fix wholesome meal.

Ingredients: serves 4

Paneer ................................... 1 cup cubed

Button Mushroom ....................... 8oz pkt thickly sliced

Bell pepper Green or red .............. 1 medium cubed

Tomato .................................. 1 large diced small

Cilantro leaves ......................... 2 tbsp

Oil ....................................... 2 tbsp +1 tsp

Ginger garlic paste..................... 1 tsp

Onion .................................... 1 large chopped

Cumin seeds ............................ 1 tsp

Mustard seeds............................ 1/4 tsp

Cumin/carom seeds ................... 1/4 tsp

Asafoetida .............................. a pinch

Red chilli powder ...................... 1 tsp or to taste

Coriander powder ..................... 1 tbsp

Kasoori methi ( dried fenugreek leaves) 1 tbsp

Method:

1. Heat 1 tsp of oil on medium heat in a kadahi or pan and fry the paneer till light golden brown. Keep aside.

2. In the same pan add the remaining oil and add cumin, mustard, ajwain, asafoetida. Cook stirring until the cumin turns light brown, about 1-2 minutes. Add in the ginger and garlic, stir and cook for a minute.

3. Add the onions, salt and turmeric and cook while stirring often, till the onions get light brown color, about 5 minutes.

4. Turn down the heat to medium low and add the coriander powder, red chilli powder and bell pepper. Cook stirring for 2 minutes.

5. Next add the mushrooms and turn the heat to medium high. Cook stirring occasionally until the mushrooms are almost cooked .

6. Now add the tomato, and cilantro, stir for a minute.Let it cook on medium heat, stirring often for 3-4 minutes. Add in the paneer and kasoori methi (crush them between your palms and add) and cook again for 4-5 minutes. Take off the flame.

7. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot. ENJOY !!
 Notes:

1. Try using freshly and coarsely grounded coriander powder and it will take the recipe to a whole different level.
2. Kasoori methi or dried fenugreek leaves is easily available in any Indian grocery store.

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