Lahor-i paneer recipe
My love for food across the border (to India) I.e. Pakistani cuisine has spanned many years and I love the Karachi or Lahore specials! Being Punjabi myself, I think Lahore cuisine suits my palate and I love its flavours. I feel our tastes and gastronomical journey has a common foundation.
I will continue to being inspired by this amazing cuisine of a nation who is a nieghbouring country of India.
Having tried various recipes, I have made this Lahori Paneer with a lot of love.
Ingredients:
* 250 gm paneer, chopped into bite-size cubes
* 1 onion chopped finely
* 1 inch root ginger, peeled and chopped
* 1-2 green chilies (optional)
Ingredients for blending:
* 4 tomotoes chopped or a tin of chopped tomatoes
* 1 onion chopped
* 4-5 cashew nuts (chopped and soak in water beforehand) (optional)
* 1 green chilli
* 1 inch root ginger, peeled and chopped
* 6-7 garlic cloves, chopped
Other ingredients
* 1 tablespoon thick yogurt
* 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
* 1 teaspoon corainder powder
* 1 teaspoon cumin powder
* 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
* 1 tablespoon dried fenugreek leaves
* 1 teaspoon garam masala to garnish
* Bunch of fresh coriander leaves to garnish
Whole spices for grinding or use as whole
* 2-3 cloves
* 1 inch cinamon stick
* 4-5 green cardomons
* 1 brown cardommon
Other whole spices
* 2 bay leaves
* 1/2 or 2 cup of water
* Salt to taste.
* 3-4 tablespoons of vegetables oil
Method
* In a nonstick pan, add 2 tablespoons of oil and once hot, add the ingredients for grinding (listed on top) for 10 minutes. Keep aside and once cool, blend into a smooth paste.
* In the same pan, add the balance oil, once hot, add the whole spices and
* Now add finely chopped onion and fry until it's light golden .
* Add green chiliies and ginger and saute it
* Add the tomato and onion paste and cook until it's mushy and left oil on the sides.
* Add the yogurt and mix well.
* Add all the powedered spices ( you may add the powdered wholespices too if you are not using them as whole) except garam masala
* Add half a cup of water so that you have consistent sauce.
* Add the paneer cubes and cook for 5 -7 minutes on medium heat
* Add the dried fenugreek leaves and salt and mix well.
* Add the corainder leaves and garam masala and switch off the burner!
Serve!
