Paneer is a type of fresh cheese that is very popular in Indian cuisine. It has a mild flavor and can be cooked in a variety of dishes. In this article, I will instruct you how to cook paneer in 4 different ways.
1. How To Cook Paneer in Curry
Ingredients
- 250g paneer, cubed
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 2 tomatoes, pureed
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp kashmiri red chili powder
- 1 cup water
- 1⁄4 cup butter
- 1⁄4 cup cream
- Salt to taste
- Chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until translucent.
First, add garlic-ginger paste and sauté for 1 minute. Next, add tomato puree, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala and red chili powder. Cook until oil starts to separate. Then add water and mix well. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Add paneer cubes and gently stir to coat with gravy. Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing paneer to absorb flavors. Then reduce heat to low. Stir in butter and cream. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Season with salt to taste. Garnish with cilantro and serve warm
This rich, creamy curry goes well with naan, roti or rice. The paneer pieces soak up all the flavors of the aromatic gravy making this dish a burst of textures and flavors in every bite.
2. How To Cook Paneer in Oven
Ingredients
- 250g paneer, cut into cubes
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 2 tbsp yogurt
- 1⁄2 tsp garam masala
- 1⁄2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp dried fenugreek leaves
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400F.
In a bowl, mix together oil, garlic paste, ginger paste, yogurt, garam masala, chili powder, fenugreek leaves and salt. Then add paneer cubes and coat well with marinade.
Next, place marinated paneer on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping once midway through baking.
Paneer is ready when it turns golden brown. Remove from oven.
The paneer gets a lovely charred finish and absorbs all the flavors of the spices and herbs. This oven-baked paneer can be had as a snack, added to salads or served with rice or flatbreads.
3. How To Cook Paneer in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 250g paneer, cut into cubes
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1⁄2 tsp turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
Instructions
In a bowl, mix together oil, chili powder, garam masala, turmeric and salt. Then add paneer cubes and coat well with spice mix.
Preheat air fryer at 370F for 3 minutes.
Next, place paneer cubes in air fryer basket in a single layer, without overcrowding. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, shaking basket halfway through.
Paneer is ready when crispy and golden brown. Serve immediately.
The hot air circulation of the air fryer ensures the paneer gets a delicious crunch externally while still remaining soft and moist inside. This is a quick and healthy way to enjoy paneer.
4. How To Fry Paneer
Ingredients
- 250g paneer, cut into cubes
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1⁄2 tsp garam masala
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
Add paneer cubes and shallow fry for 2-3 minutes on each side till golden brown.
Sprinkle chili powder, garam masala and salt. Toss to coat paneer evenly with spices.
Cook for 1 minute more. Remove from heat. Serve hot garnished with coriander leaves.
Pan fried paneer works well as a quick snack or can be added to salads, noodles or rice. You can also pair it with chutneys or sauces to enjoy as an appetizer before meals.
So try out these easy methods to cook paneer in different ways and add variety to your meals. The versatile paneer takes well to many cooking techniques and absorbs the flavors of whatever ingredients it is cooked with.
