Creamy Cashew Indian Butter Paneer with Fried Paneer
Try this Creamy Cashew Indian Butter Paneer with Fried Paneer recipe
Try this Creamy Cashew Indian Butter Paneer with Fried Paneer recipe
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
- 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 3/4 cup roasted cashews
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil or ghee (or butter)
- 8 ounces paneer cheese cubed
- 1 (14 ounce) can coconut milk lite or regular
- 1 (6 ounce can) tomato paste
- 1/4 cup greek yogurt (or 1/4 cup more coconut milk for veg
- 1/2 a small sweet onion diced
- 2 teaspoons spicy curry powder
- 1-2 teaspoons thai red curry paste (i used 2)
- 1-2 tablespoons garam masala (i used 1)
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
- 1 teaspoon saffron (optional)
- 1-2 cup broccoli florets
- chopped cilantro for topping
- steamed rice for serving
- fresh naan for serving
- Carbohydrate 9.57654354096869 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 12.147054583062 g
- Fiber 1.28723542772663 g
- Protein 4.15287062478569 g
- Saturated Fat 2.39559370829186 g
- Serving Size 1 1 -6 (88g)
- Sodium 5.01395833262121 mg
- Sugar 8.28930811324206 g
- Trans Fat 0.579010833266791 g
- Calories 154 calories
Step-by-step
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon coconut oil (or ghee). Once hot, add the cubed paneer in batches and cook about 2 minutes per side or until crisp. Remove from the heat and drain on paper towels. Repeat with any remaining paneer. Reserve the skillet and set the paneer aside.
- To a food processor or high powered blender, add the cashews and coconut milk. Blend on high until completely smooth and silky, about 3-4 minutes. Add the tomato paste, yogurt and 1/2 cup water. Blend until smooth. Set aside.
- To the same skillet you fried the paneer, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Once hot, add the onion, garlic and ginger, cook about 5-8 minutes or until the onion is soft and lightly caramelized. Add the curry powder, thai red curry paste, garam masala, turmeric, cayenne and salt. Cook one minute and then stir in the cashew/coconut mixture. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil and if it seems too thick for your liking, stir in water or coconut milk to thin.
- Once the sauce is at your desired consistency, stir in the crispy paneer and saffron if using. Add the broccoli and cook until warmed through and the sauce thickened slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and serve over a bed of hot rice sprinkled with chopped cilantro. And don't forget the naan for dipping!
My Unexpected Culinary Adventure: Mastering Creamy Cashew Indian Butter Paneer
As a busy professional, juggling client meetings and endless to-do lists, I often find myself craving comforting, flavorful meals that don't require hours in the kitchen. This is where my recent foray into the world of Indian cuisine comes in. I stumbled upon a recipe for Creamy Cashew Indian Butter Paneer, and let me tell you, it was a revelation. It's surprisingly easy to make, even on a weeknight, and the result is a rich, creamy, and incredibly satisfying dish that easily satisfies my cravings for something both exotic and comforting.
My initial hesitation stemmed from the unfamiliar ingredients. Cashews in a savory dish? Thai red curry paste in Indian food? But curiosity, as they say, killed the cat (metaphorically speaking, of course!). I dove headfirst into the recipe, and I'm so glad I did. The creamy cashew sauce, infused with aromatic spices like ginger, garlic, and garam masala, is the star of the show. The subtle sweetness of the cashews perfectly balances the warmth of the spices, creating a harmonious flavor profile that's both complex and satisfying. And the fried paneer? Let's just say it adds a delightful textural contrast and a touch of crispy goodness that elevates the dish to another level.
What I loved most about this recipe was its adaptability. The original recipe suggested using coconut milk, but I decided to experiment with a blend of coconut milk and heavy cream for an even richer, creamier sauce. I also added a pinch of extra cayenne pepper for a touch of heat, something I always appreciate in my meals. I discovered that adjusting the amount of curry paste and cayenne pepper allowed me to control the level of spice, easily customizing the dish to fit my preferences. Feeling more adventurous, I even experimented with adding spinach instead of broccoli, and that turned out to be another delightful variation.
The process of making this dish was surprisingly therapeutic. The rhythmic chopping of vegetables, the fragrant steam rising from the skillet, the satisfying whir of the food processor – it was a welcome break from the usual pressures of my workday. And the best part? The cleanup was relatively easy, another bonus for a busy professional like myself. Even my skeptical partner, who usually prefers his familiar comfort foods, was completely won over by the rich flavor and unique texture of this dish.
This Creamy Cashew Indian Butter Paneer recipe has become a staple in my weeknight rotation, a testament to its deliciousness and relative ease of preparation. It's not only a delicious and satisfying meal, but it also represents a delightful culinary adventure I never expected to undertake. And for those who, like me, might be intimidated by Indian cuisine, I urge you to try this recipe. It’s a gateway to a world of flavour, proving that sometimes the most rewarding culinary journeys are the ones that lead us outside of our comfort zones.
Beyond the taste, the beauty of this dish lies in its adaptability. It’s a canvas upon which you can paint your own culinary masterpiece. Experiment with different vegetables, adjust the spice levels, or even add a touch of your favorite herbs. There’s a sense of empowerment that comes with taking a recipe and making it your own, tailoring it to your specific tastes and preferences. The flexibility of this dish makes it perfect for both novice and seasoned cooks.
So, if you're looking for a flavourful, satisfying, and relatively easy meal that can be customized to your liking, I highly recommend giving this Creamy Cashew Indian Butter Paneer a try. It's a recipe that has not only expanded my culinary horizons but also brought a much-needed element of comfort and satisfaction to my busy life. The combination of creamy sauce, crispy paneer, and aromatic spices create a symphony of flavors that will leave you wanting more. Trust me, this isn't just another weeknight meal; it's an experience.
