Kadaayi Paneer My style

Kadaayi Paneer is one of the famous yummy dish which most of the people love to have it with rotis, chapatis or any type of bread (Naan).

I wanted to prepare this Kadaayi Paneer since long back. One of the friend in Face book, Roopa Satish requested me to prepare this long back. My sons like Paneer and I am not a big fan of Paneer. Once in a while it is ok to have, though it is one of the milk content. I am fond and big fan of milk and ghee.
Let us see some benefits of having " Paneer" in our diet.
Paneer is made from milk and it has good source of proteins. Paneer is very popular in India. Paneer is known as cottage cheese, Paneer takes longer time to digest so it keeps the hunger away. Paneer is loaded with calories and it is very good for hard working people. Paneer contain calcium and good for healthy bones and teeth. It also help in improving the metabolism of our body. Paneer is one of the nutritious food for vegetarians.
Kadaayi means a pot, which is used for cooking. I have used 200 grams of Nandini Paneer, which is one of the reliable good suppliers for milk and milk product here in Karnataka.
I have used tomatoes, fresh roasted spices, cashews and fresh milk cream here.
NO ONIONS OR NO GARLIC IS USED IN THIS ' KADAI PANEER' .

Lets see the recipe :

Things Needed :

To Cook:
Paneer : 200 grams (Nandini)
Capsicum : 1

To Grind 
Tomatoes : 2 (Medium size)
Ginger : half inch
Cashew Nuts : 1 Tablespoons
Tamarind : A small marble size
Dry roasted spices

To Dry roast 
Coriander seeds : 2 Tablespoons.
Jeera: 1/2 Teaspoons
Pepper Pods : 3 to 4
Red chilly : 3 to 4

To Season 
Oil : 1 Tablespoon
Jeera : 1/2 Teaspoon

 To Add :
Ground spice paste
Garam Masala powder : 1/2 Teaspoon
Turmeric Powder : A pinch
Kasoori Methi ( Raw Methi powder ) : 1 Tablespoon
Fresh Cream : 2 Tablespoons
Coriander Leaves : 2 Tablespoons

Method : 

1. Cut paneer into small pieces.

2. Wash and boil tomatoes for 2 minutes. Remove the outer skin and cut into small. Keep it aside.
3. Wash and cut capsicum (remove the seeds and bulb) and cut into small pieces. Soak Paneer pieces in Hot water. 

4. Keep a pan and dry roast coriander seeds, jeera, pepper and red chilly. ( I used byadagi chilly).

5. Grind it with tomato pieces, cashews, ginger, tamarind and roasted spice mixture.

6. Keep a little pan and heat. Add a tablespoon of oil and jeera. Let jeera turn slightly brown.
8. Add cut capsicum and fry nicely till it turns soft. Put off the fire.

9. Keep little bigger pan on the fire and put ground spice, cashew mixture. Add salt and garam masala powder . Mix all the ingredients nicely. Add a pinch of turmeric powder. Let it boil for 2 minutes. Add water if required.

10. Add Paneer pieces (only the paneer pieces) and mix it nicely. Let it boil for 3 to 4 minutes.

11.Add Kasoori Methi and mix it. Add fried capsicum and mix it well. Let it boil for a minute.

12. Kadaai Paneer is ready to serve. Shift the ready Kadaai Paneer to a serving dish.

13. Add cut coriander leaves and fresh cream on the top and serve.

14. Serve with your choice of Roti/poori/naan/chapati ...

Note :

Frying paneer pieces in oil is optional. (Not that healthy).
Put the fried Paneer in Hot water so that paneer pieces will be soft and yummy.
Adding more spice like chat masala or any other spices is optional. Adding butter/fresh cream according to your wish. (More calories :) ). Use of fresh roasted spice adds to the taste. You can also use coriander powder and jeera powder instead of roasting the spice. Use of any brand " Paneer " is optional.
Time : 20 to 25 Minutes
Serves : 4 to 5