The Very Popular Paneer Makhani:

Paneer Makani is a very rich and creamy traditional Indian food which is based in the Northern part of India. It is a precious Indian jewel, which happens to be a very popular North Indian cuisine. This food boasts great zaika or taste. This vegetarian delight is the regular part of Punjabi cuisine and has gained immense popularity across the world.

About Paneer Makhani

The word “makhani” literally means “with butter.” This means that it points out that the dish is flavored with a rich, buttery tomato-based gravy. In addition to this, Paneer Makhani is also acclaimed for its silky-smooth texture along with balanced flavors. Owing to this feature, it enjoys rave popularity both in home kitchens and in high class restaurants.

How to make Paneer Makhani at home:

If you don’t have paneer at your place, then get fresh paneer online from either the nearby store or through any of the delivery apps. There are several types of paneer, milky mist paneer, Amul paneer, Nandini paneer, any type of packed paneer, even skimmed milk paneer is available and can be used to make Paneer Makhani at home. Once you have bought the paneer online or at a store this can be easily prepared at home with the basic Indian spices. But ideally to get that dhaba wala taste, you need the essential Indian spices for making Paneer Makhani.

Ingredients:

For the Paneer

• 250 grams paneer or skimmed milk paneer (Indian cottage cheese), cubed
• 1 tbsp oil or ghee (clarified butter)

For the Gravy

• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tejpatta bay leaf
• 1 black cardamom (badi elaichi)
• 2 green cardamoms (chooti elaichi)
• 4 laung, (cloves in hindi)
• 1-inch piece of cinnamon stick
• A pinch of saunf, (fennel seeds in hindi)
• A pinch of asafoetida, (hing)
• 1 tbsp coriander seed powder
• 1/2 tbsp cumin seed powder
• 2 large onions, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2-inch ginger
• 4 large tomatoes, pureed
  

Masalas:

• 1/2 tbsp haldi powder (turmeric powder)
• 1 tbsp red chili powder
• 1 tbsp coriander powder
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 1 tbsp amchur powder
• 1 teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
• 1/4 cup fresh cream
• A pinch of sugar (This balances out the acidity from the tomatoes)
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions to make Paneer Makhani at home:

Preparation of Paneer

• Heat 1 tablespoon of oil or ghee in a pan on medium heat.
• Add the paneer cubes and lightly fry them until they turn golden brown on all sides.
• Take out the paneer from the pan and place it on a paper towel so the excess oil would be drained out.

Making the Gravy:

• Add 3 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of oil to the same pan. Cook over medium flame.
• Add bay leaf, black cardamom, green cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon stick and cumin seeds. Now, sauté for a minute till aromatic.
  

Additional Steps:

• Add the chopped onions, sauté again and let them turn golden brown.
• Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for another 2 minutes till the raw smell disappears.
• Add the tomato puree, cook for 10-12 minutes, stir in between, now oil separates from the masala.
• Add the turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, salt. Stir well and cook for further 2 minutes.
• Add the Kasuri Methi and garam masala and stir well.
  

How to Cook Paneer Makhani:

• Turn the heat to low. Add the fresh cream, stir and let this cook for another 5 minutes, stirring at intervals, so that the cream gets incorporated well.
• Add a pinch of sugar to get the flavor right and mix well. This helps reduce the acidity from the tomatoes.
• Add fried paneer cubes and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes so that the paneer absorbs the flavors of the gravy.

Serve:

Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Serve the dish hot along with naan, roti, or steamed basmati rice.

Conclusion:

Paneer Makani is a perfect dish for special occasions, and you want to indulge in something really exquisite. You can bet the creamy gravy and soft cubes of paneer are going to please your family and friends. It’s good with either tandoori roti, naan, lachha paratha, even with parathas. Enjoy!

All in all, we can say that Paneer Makhani is both a famous Indian food and a traditional Indian food in different parts of India. They way of making this can vary from place to place.