Paneer Butter Masala/ Indian Cottage Cheese Gravy Recipe | Breakfast Care

Paneer Butter Masala is one of the delicious and most popular paneer recipes in Indian cuisine. It's often served with naan, rice or chapatis.

Ingredients

• 250 grams paneer/ cottage cheese, cut into cubes
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 inch cinnamon stick
• 3-4 cloves
• 6-7 large garlic cloves 25 grams, roughly chopped
• 1.5 inch ginger 15 grams, roughly chopped
• 1 large white onion 180 grams, roughly chopped
• 3-4 large tomatoes 460 grams, roughly chopped
• 10-15 whole cashews raw
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kashmiri red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 3-4 tablespoons cream 45-60 ml
• 2 teaspoons oil
• 2 teaspoons dried fenugreek leaves
• 1 cup water
• Cilantro, to garnish
• Salt, as per taste

Instructions

• Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a pan on medium heat.
• Once the oil is hot, add the bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cloves and saute for few seconds.
• Add the the onion, garlic, ginger and saute for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
• Add the tomatoes and cashews and mix. 
• Add 1 cup of water.
• Cover the pan and cook on medium heat for 15 minutes.
• Remove the pan from heat, after 15 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaf, cinnamon stick and cloves.
• Let the mixture cool down a bit and then transfer to a blender.
• Grind the masala to a smooth paste and set aside.
• Add 2 tablespoons butter along with remaining 1 teaspoon oil on medium heat in the same pan.
• Once the butter melts, add the red chili powder and the Kashmiri red chili powder and fry for few seconds.
• Add the ground paste back into the pan along with the garam masala, cardamom powder, sugar and salt.
• Mix well and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Add the cream and mix.
• Add in the paneer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat.
• Add crushed kasuri methi. 
• Garnish paneer butter masala with cilantro.
• Serve hot with naan, rice or chapatis.
• Enjoy!