Shahi Tandoori Paneer/ Royal Cottage cheese

Time flies...seasons change and so do our food habits with every passing season. Especially this time of the year when there is so much to celebrate: Diwali, Halloween,Thanksgiving Christmas and so on....

I am glad we have Patel's not very far from where I live,which just opened here recently. Up until now I used to shop at a very  nondescript Indian grocery store. The fact that these big stores with large turnovers give the shoppers the opportunity to buy big saver packs which always is the attraction when you shop at store chains. I recently bought a large( about 2 1/2 kg slab )of Nanak Paneer and cut half of it in cube sizes and transferred it to zip-lock bags and saved the rest of the slab as it is for making Bhurji.

Hmmm life is so much easier when you have a well stocked refrigerator:) I had friends over last weekend and it did not take me very long to figure out the menu, there was everything I needed to make this shahi Tandoori paneer : Fresh tomatos, ginger & garlic ,cream,garam masala and paneer,Yes- you read it right,this is all you need to make this super delicious paneer dish.It can be prepared in a jiffy too,and is loved by everyone. The color is so appetizing and rich as is the unbeatable taste. So what are you waiting for-Go ahead and make yourself some and tell me I was right !!!

List of Ingredients You will need:


Paneer: 10 - 15 small cube sized pieces weighing roughly 250 gms
Tomatoes: 2 large deep red tomatoes boiled and then pureed without the skin
Ginger & garlic: 1tsp each paste
Kasoori methi: roasted and crushed 1 tsp
Honey: 1 tbsp
Light fresh cream: 2-3 tbsp (substitute it with skimmed milk if you are watching calories)
Salt: to taste
Deghi Mirch: 1 tsp or more if you want that extra kick
Olive oil: 2tbs
Cardamom: 2-3 crushed
Cinnamon: 1/2 a inch stick
Clove: 2-3
Ground garam masala: little more than a pinch


Method:
Take the paneer cubes and sprinkle some salt and red pepper and 1 tsp oil and stick it in the oven and broil/grill for 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn it over once so that it is grilled evenly.


Meanwhile take a heavy bottomed pan/kadhai and add the whole garam masala and wait for a minute till the aroma emanates and your kitchen smells great ( if your smell sense is not too good-don't take chances;) )


Now add the ginger & garlic and subsequently add the tomato puree along with salt and red pepper and cook till the sauce becomes a little thick .


Take the grilled paneer and add this to the sauce. Also add the honey and cream/skimmed milk,mix it gently and sprinkle the garam masala and cook for 2-3 minutes. Finish it with the roasted and crushed kasoori methi and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves. Bon appetite!!!