Kadai Paneer with step-by-step photo and video recipe.

Kadai Paneer is a beautiful medley of cottage cheese (paneer), capsicum, onion, tomato and freshly grounded spice in an onion-tomato gravy.

It is one of the most loved recipes in India. You will find it in most of the restaurant’s menu and Indian weddings.

This recipe of Kadai Paneer is a bit time consuming but totally worth the effort and time. The freshly grounded spices make it so delicious and aromatic.

 

Kadai Paneer

 

Kadai Paneer makes for a great main course for party or get-togethers.

It is a great source of protein for vegetarians and the mix of vegetables makes it more nutritious and flavorful.

Most of the restaurants make it with onion and capsicum, I also like to add diced tomatoes for the added tanginess. You can also add red and yellow bell peppers of you like.

 

This Recipe of Kadai Paneer is –

1. Restaurant Style Indian Curry
2. Vegetarian
3. Prepared with easy ingredients at home
4. Uses freshly grounded masala which makes it aromatic and flavorful
5. Healthy & Tasty

 

More Paneer Recipes from my kitchen –

Paneer Pakoda


Matar Paneer Pulao


Paneer Tikka Masala

 

Video Recipe –

 

How to prepare for Kadai Paneer Recipe –

Make onion puree and tomato puree. Dice onions, tomatoes and capsicum. Make sure to deseed tomatoes and capsicum.

Keep all the whole spices ready for kadai paneer masala.

Soak paneer cubes in warm water for 10-15 mins. before adding it to the gravy.

 

Kadai Paneer Recipe

 

How to make Kadai paneer Masala Powder at home –

The whole spices are dry roasted and hand grounded to a coarse powder.

I use –

Cumin Seeds
Coriander Seeds
Cinnamon
Cloves
Black Pepper
Cardamom
Bay Leaf
Whole Red Chilli

You can increase the amount of whole red chilli if you like it spicy.

The key is to dry roast on a low flame in a heavy bottom kadai, till they become aromatic.

Transfer the roasted spices to a plate and let it cool. Hand ground in a mortar pestle to a coarse powder.

 

How to make Kadai Paneer Masala at home?

Heat oil in a kadai. Add onion puree and cook for 2-3 mins. Next add ginger garlic paste and mix well. Cook till onion turns golden brown. Now add in ghee and all the spices, give it a nice mix.

Now add tomato puree. Cook till it is nicely done. Add diced onion, tomato and capsicum. Add water as required. Cover and cook till done. Finally add paneer and give it a mix.

Finish it with kasuri methi and coriander leaves. Mix well and serve hot.

 

Kadai Paneer using homemade masala

 

Things to keep in mind while making Kadhai Paneer –

1. Soak paneer cubes in warm water for 10-15 mins before adding to the gravy. It makes paneer softer and gives it an amazing melt in mouth texture.
2. Cook the gravy well else it will taste sour and raw. It should start leaving oil from sides and turn darker in colour.
3. If making in mustard oil, make sure to smoke it else it will give raw flavour.
4. Do not overcook diced onion, tomato and capsicum. Let it be a bit crunchy, it will add the nice texture.
5. After adding paneer do not cook for more than 3-4 mins. else paneer will turn chewy and leathery.
6. Keep stirring gravy at a regular interval to make sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
7. Dry roast spices on a low flame till fragrant.

Try This  Mushroom Matar Recipe

 

Step by Step Recipe of Kadai Paneer Recipe –

 

Homemade Kadai Paneer Masala –

1. In a kadai add cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper and cardamom.

2. Dry roast on a low flame till fragrant.

3. Next add bay leaf and whole red chillies.

 

homemade kadhai paneer masala

 

4. Roast for 2 mins. Switch off the flame, transfer the spices to a mortar pestle.

 

homemade masala

 

5. Coarsely grind the spices and set aside.

 

Making Masala –

 

kadai paneer ki recipe

 

6. Heat oil in kadai. Add in onion puree, cook for 2-3 mins.

 

7. Now add ginger garlic paste add give it a mix.

 

8. Cook till onions are nicely done and turn golden brown.

 

Indian Curry

 

9. Add ghee and spices – turmeric powder, red chilli powder, kashmiri red chilli powder, freshly made kadai paneer masala and salt.

10. Give everything a nice mix.

 

onion tomato gravy

 

11. Next add tomato puree and give everything a nice mix.

 

Indian Food

 

12. Cover and cook for 10 mins. on a low flame. Keep stirring in between.

 

lunch recipe

 

13. Uncover and cook till oil starts leaving from sides and gravy turns darker in colour.

 

indian meals

 

14. Now add diced onion, capsicum and tomatoes. Give it a mix.

 

ghar ka khana

 

15. Add in some water, cover and cook for 3-4 mins. on a low flame.

 

paneer recipe

 

16. Add paneer and mix gently. Cook for 2-3 mins.

 

desi khana

 

17. Finish it off with kasuri methi and coriander leaves. Mix well.

18. Cover and cook for 2-3 mins.

19. Serve hot with roti, paratha or naan.

 

Restaurant Style Kadai paneer Recipe

 

How to serve Kadai Paneer –

Kadai Paneer is very rich and flavorful Indian gravy recipe. It goes well with roti, paratha or naan alongside some sirke wale pyaz. It is a complete meal in itself and makes for a great weekend lunch/ dinner.

However, if you are serving for guests, make a complete meal with masala pulao, boondi raita, dal tadka, roasted pumpkin and chickpea salad, Corn Pakoda, lacha paratha.

 

If you try this recipe, please do let me know in the comment section. I would be happy to receive your feedback on my Social Media channels – Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

You can also pin this recipe on Pinterest for later referral.

Try This  Malai Kofta

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Kadai Paneer

Kadai Paneer

Kadai Paneer is a beautiful medley of cottage cheese (paneer), capsicum, onion, tomato and freshly grounded spice in an onion-tomato gravy.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 People

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Tbsp Cumin Seeds
  • 2 Tbsp Coriander Seeds
  • 1 Inch Cinnamon
  • 4 No. Cloves
  • 4-5 Nos. Black Pepper
  • 2 Nos. Cardamom
  • 1 No. Bay Leaf
  • 2 Nos. Whole Red Chilli
  • 4 Tbsp Oil
  • 1/2 Cup Onion - Puree
  • 1 Tbsp Ghee
  • 1 Tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
  • 1/4th Tsp Turmeric Powder
  • 1 Tsp Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder
  • 1 Tsp Red Chilli Powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 3/4th Cup Tomato Puree
  • 1 Tsp Kasuri Methi
  • 1 No. Diced Onion
  • 1 No. Diced Capsicum
  • 1 No. Deseeded Diced Tomato
  • Water as required
  • 250 gms. Paneer
  • Coriander leaves

Instructions
 

Kadai Paneer Masala –

  • In a kadai add cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper and cardamom.
  • Dry roast on a low flame till fragrant.
  • Next add bay leaf and whole red chillies.
  • Cook for 2 mins. Switch off the flame, transfer the spices to a mortar pestle.
  • Coarsely grind the spices and set aside.

Making Masala –

  • Heat oil in kadai. Add in onion puree, cook for 2-3 mins.
  • Now add ginger garlic paste add give it a mix.
  • Cook till onions are nicely done and turn golden brown.
  • Add ghee and spices – turmeric powder, red chilli powder, kashmiri red chilli pwoder, freshly made kadai paneer masala and salt.
  • Give everything a nice mix.
  • Next add tomato puree and give everything a nice mix.
  • Cover and cook for 10 mins. on a low flame. Keep stirring in between.
  • Uncover and cook till oil starts leaving from sides and gravy turns darker in colour.
  • Now add diced onion, capsicum and tomatoes. Give it a mix.
  • Add in some water, cover and cook for 3-4 mins. on a low flame.
  • Next add paneer and mix gently. Cook for 2-3 mins.
  • Finish it off with kasuri methi and coriander leaves. Mix well.
  • Cover and cook for 2-3 mins.
  • Serve hot with roti, paratha or naan.

Video

Notes

• Cook on a low flame for the best results.
• Adjust spices as per taste.
• Make sure to smoke mustard oil before adding any ingredients, else it will give raw smell and taste.
• Do not overcook after adding paneer.
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