Mughlai Paneer
A royal and creamy curry where soft paneer cubes are simmered in a luscious gravy of cashews, almonds, and aromatic spices. This restaurant-style dish brings the richness of Mughlai cuisine right to your dinner table.
For 4 servings
4 steps. 30 minutes total.
- 1
Step 1
- a.Prepare the Shahi Paste
- b.Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, ginger, garlic, green chilies, soaked cashews, and blanched almonds.
- c.Sauté for 6-8 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent. Avoid browning them to maintain the gravy's white color.
- d.Remove the mixture from the heat and allow it to cool down completely.
- e.Transfer the cooled mixture to a high-speed blender. Add 1/4 cup of water and blend until you have a completely smooth, fine paste. Set aside.
- 2
Step 2
- a.Cook the Gravy Base
- b.In the same pan, heat the remaining 2 tbsp of ghee over medium heat. Add the bay leaf, cinnamon stick, green cardamoms, and cloves. Sauté for about 30-45 seconds until they become fragrant.
- c.Carefully add the prepared onion-nut paste to the pan. Cook on low-medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. The paste will thicken and start to release ghee from the sides.
- d.Add the coriander powder, turmeric powder, and white pepper powder. Mix well and cook for another minute until the raw smell of the spices disappears.
- 3
Step 3
- a.Build the Creamy Gravy
- b.Reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Slowly pour in the whisked curd while stirring continuously. This prevents the curd from splitting.
- c.Cook for 2-3 minutes, still stirring, until the ghee begins to separate from the mixture again.
- d.Pour in 1 cup of water, add salt and sugar. Stir everything together and bring the gravy to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- e.Gently add the paneer cubes to the gravy, ensuring they are well-coated.
- 4
Step 4
- a.Simmer and Finish
- b.Cover the pan and let the curry simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes. This allows the paneer to soften and absorb the rich flavors of the gravy.
- c.Turn off the heat. Stir in the fresh cream and garam masala. Mix gently. Avoid boiling the curry after adding the cream to maintain its texture.
- d.Crush the kasuri methi between your palms to release its aroma and sprinkle it over the curry. Give it one final, gentle stir.
- e.Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve hot with naan, roti, or jeera rice.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For a silky smooth gravy, ensure you grind the onion-nut paste until it is completely fine. You can strain it through a fine-mesh sieve if needed.
- 2Always add whisked yogurt on low heat while stirring constantly to prevent the gravy from splitting.
- 3Do not overcook the paneer, as it can become hard and rubbery.
- 4For an even richer taste, you can lightly pan-fry the paneer cubes in 1 tsp of ghee until golden before adding them to the curry.
- 5White pepper powder is recommended for maintaining the creamy white color of the gravy, but black pepper can be used if unavailable.
- 6For a more authentic flavor, you can add 1 tablespoon of melon seeds (magaz) along with the cashews and almonds when making the paste.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegan
Substitute paneer with firm tofu, use coconut cream instead of dairy cream, and a plant-based yogurt. Use oil instead of ghee.
Nut FreeNut-Free
Replace cashews and almonds with an equal amount of melon seeds (magaz) or a paste of poppy seeds (khus khus) to achieve a similar creamy texture.
Richer GravyRicher Gravy
Add 1-2 tablespoons of crumbled khoya (milk solids) when sautéing the paste for an exceptionally rich, restaurant-style gravy.
With VegetablesWith Vegetables
Add blanched vegetables like green peas, diced carrots, or bell peppers along with the paneer for a more wholesome dish.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Protein
Paneer is an excellent source of casein protein, which is essential for muscle repair, growth, and maintaining overall body function.
Source of Healthy Fats
The use of cashews and almonds provides monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health and can help manage cholesterol levels.
Supports Bone Health
Paneer and curd are rich in calcium and phosphorus, two crucial minerals for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth.
Frequently asked questions
One serving of Mughlai Paneer contains approximately 450-550 calories, depending on the amount of ghee, cream, and nuts used. It is a rich and indulgent dish.