Akshayapatram

photo credit: Photo_Mind

Shahi means ‘royal’ and paneer is cottage cheese in Hindi. Litellay transalated its a royal dish made out of paneer. Its a great accompaniment with Indian breads. Make it for lunch or dinner or at your Indian evening part thrown for friends. You are sure to get lots of praises, I asuure you…so do try it out

Paneer (cottage cheese) – 250 gms (cubed)
Curd (Plain Yogurt) – 1/4 cup (Beaten)
Milk – 1/2 cup
Tomatoes – 3 nos big (finely chopped)
Onion – 1 no. big (sliced)
Ginger – 1/2 inch (finely chopped)
Green Chilies – 2-3  nos. (finely chopped)
Cardamoms – 2-3  nos (crushed)
Garam Masala – 1/2 tsp
Red Chili Powder – 1/2 tsp
Tomato Sauce / Ketchup – 2 tsp
Ghee (clarified butter) / butter – 3 tsp
Water – 1/2 cup
Salt to taste

For Garnishing

Fresh cream – 3-4 tsp

Grated cheese – 2 tsp
1 tsp Coriander Leaves, chopped

1. In a frying pan, heat 1 and 1/2 tsp of ghee. Add onion, ginger, green chili and cardamom and fry for about 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Add tomatoes and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes.
3. Add the beaten curd and cook further for 5 minutes. Add water and allow it to cool.
4. Blend this mixture in the mixer until smooth.
5. In a pan heat the remaining ghee and add the blended mixture,spices and tomato sauce.
6. Boil the mixture until it turns to thick gravy.
7. At the time of serving, heat the gravy. Add milk and paneer cubes and allow it to boil for about 3 to 4 minutes.
8. Garnish it with chopped coriander, grated paneer and fresh cream.
9. Serve hot with naan or chapati (Indian bread)

Till next time…happy cooking!