In the rainbow of Indian cuisine, paneer is an ingredient that exhibits versatility and creative cooking. This fresh Indian cheese has become a beloved mainstay in kitchens all over the subcontinent thanks to its gentle personality and ability to absorb the many tastes of Indian spices. Paneer's journey in Indian cuisine is an intriguing story of transformation, ranging from rich sweets to spicy stir-fries and from creamy curries to smoky kebabs. Paneer is a favourite among meat eaters and vegetarians alike because it can be used in both main and supporting roles in a wide range of dishes. From the rich and creamy embrace of dishes like palak paneer and paneer butter masala to the fiery and enticing paneer tikka, paneer's chameleon-like qualities have earned it a valued place in Indian kitchens and hearts. Learn how paneer is used in Indian cooking and enjoy 10 popular paneer recipes from Indian kitchens that showcase its culinary prowess:
10 All-Time Favourite Paneer Recipes
Tandoori Paneer Tikka
Having a perfect starter or appetiser before the main meal helps to manage appetite and increase the desire for more during the main course. It is said that starters should be light on the stomach and not too heavy, which is true. Tandoori paneer tikka is a classic recipe where cubes of paneer are marinated in yoghurt and tandoori spices, including red chilli powder, turmeric, cumin, and coriander. The vibrant orange colour comes from the use of Kashmiri red chilli powder or food colouring. The paneer is grilled until slightly charred, giving it a smoky flavour. It is best served with mint chutney and lemon wedges.
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Paneer Bread Pakora
Desi snacks always suit this nippy season, where the cold breeze seems like the perfect accompaniment to the delightful toasty tidbits. This hot delicacy is a hit with everyone for its crunchy and tender nature. The ingredients involved in this dish are available in every Indian household, which makes it easy to prepare anytime you crave for something quick and fulfilling. Bread pakodas are usually made with the fillings of spicy potatoes and crispy vegetables. You can give a twist to this classic recipe by using cottage cheese (paneer) instead of potatoes. This would not only make your bread pakodas more wholesome but also full of distinct textures. Paneer quickly absorbs the flavours of the spices and herbs, which makes it the perfect element to be incorporated in this recipe.
Paneer Bhurji
Mostly, the bhurji recipes are prepared with egg, but the same texture and taste can be achieved by adding paneer instead of egg. Paneer bhurji is a delicious dish prepared with crumbled paneer and a blend of spices. It is a flavourful dish which is mostly served during lunch and dinner. The recipe is liked by kids as well as adults, and you can always prepare it when you are in a hurry or looking to prepare a different recipe with paneer. Bhurji recipes are extremely famous, especially in urban cities. It is served widely on roadside dhabas and restaurants. It is a quick, healthy and delicious recipe as compared to those traditional curries.
Paneer Paratha
This flaky and buttery paratha is a breakfast staple in many Indian households. The paneer stuffing makes it even more delicious and satisfying. It can be eaten with the side of a spicy and tangy achaar or a cooling raita. It's the perfect comfort food on a lazy Sunday morning, and it's guaranteed to make your taste buds dance with joy. Get ready to spice up your breakfast game with this nutritious paneer recipe. From classic dishes to modern twists, this recipe is easy to make and packed with protein.
Also Read: Attention Paneer Lovers! Did You Know That Paneer Is Not Native To India?
Shahi Paneer
Paneer is a heartthrob, especially for vegetarians. There are so many paneer dishes ruling our hearts. One of which is shahi paneer. But what’s ‘shahi’ in this paneer? It is the milky flavour and texture of paneer which add a unique flavour to every dish. You name a dish, and you can add paneer to it. A Mughal chef was preparing malai kofta while chopping a large piece of paneer into tiny cubes for another dish, according to several food historians and tales. The emperor would not consume a single dish, of course. Some paneer cubes unintentionally ended up in the sauce of the malai kofta. He removed all of the paneer from the gravy and set it aside out of fear of the emperor's reaction. He chose to try the paneer cubes he had made a mistake on after preparing the malai kofta and serving it to the emperor. However, he was pleasantly surprised by how much he liked the taste.
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Paneer Pulao
Paneer Pulao is a flavorful and aromatic rice dish made with basmati rice, paneer (Indian cottage cheese), and achari masala. The dish is packed with the tangy and spicy flavours of pickles and spices, making it a delicious and satisfying meal on its own or as a side dish. The paneer adds a creamy and rich texture to the pulao, while the masala infuses it with a unique and tantalising taste. This dish is perfect for spice lovers and pairs well with naan, roti, or rice. Enjoy the rich and bold flavours of achari paneer in this delicious vegetarian dish.
Palak Paneer
Palak paneer is a vegetarian dish, consisting of paneer in a thick paste made from pureed spinach, called palak in Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and other Indian languages. The terms palak paneer and aaag paneer are used interchangeably in restaurants. However, saag is different from traditional palak paneer in that it contains other green leafy vegetables, such as mustard greens, whereas palak paneer only contains spinach. Palak paneer is served hot as a side dish with roti, naan, paranthas, makki di roti or boiled rice. It can also be served with onions, lemon wedges and a piece of jaggery on the side, taking a more traditional approach. In recent years, there have been fusion variations of palak paneer.
Paneer Butter Masala
If you look at the most loved and popular paneer dishes, paneer butter masala will be one of them. The rich and buttery gravy, along with the soft, delicious chunks of paneer, is sufficient to leave you drooling over it for days. Paneer butter masala is the vegetarian cousin of chicken butter masala, and both these dishes share the same gravy. The cashews, dollops of butter, assortment of spices and chunks of paneer make the dish a decadent affair. As winters are here, we need something rich, buttery and delicious to indulge in, and paneer butter masala is undoubtedly one of them. If you want to make paneer butter masala at home, there are many different recipes you can experiment with.
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Kadai Paneer
Kadai paneer is super creamy because of the cream used in the gravy and the soft paneer added to its creamy texture. This recipe is a bit different from the other paneer gravy recipes as it has cubed capsicum, onions and tomatoes apart from the onion tomato paste. The sauteed vegetables add a crunchy texture which balances the creamy flavour. A savoury paneer dish prepared with spices and capsicum is called kadai paneer. Paneer is Indian cottage cheese, and kadai is the word for wok. This curry is from the Northern region of India and is renowned for its flavour. Because paneer has a great nutritional value, it is regarded as healthy and as something you should eat every day. Because it is high in calcium, selenium, and potassium, it gives you rapid energy. It is a wonderful choice for a vegetarian diet because it also has a high protein level.
Matar Paneer
Matar paneer is a classic North Indian dish that combines soft paneer cheese with sweet green peas in a creamy tomato-based sauce. To make this dish, fry cubed paneer until golden brown and set aside. Temper ginger-garlic paste, jeera, and chopped onions in a pan lined with ghee. Sauté until the onions turn translucent, and then add diced tomatoes and spices such as turmeric, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and red chilli powder. Cook until the tomatoes are tender and have formed a thick sauce. Add green peas and cook for a few more minutes. Then, add the fried paneer and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes until the paneer is heated through. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with naan or rice for a satisfying and flavorful meal.