Just for Foodies!!: Paneer Tawa Masala

If you have a set of unexpected guests are you want to make something which is quick, but delicious, this recipe is solely dedicated to you.. This semi dry preparation of paneer can be had not only with indian flat breads, but also with simple bread toasts, brown bread or even with dinner rolls.

This is a one pot recipe, which is made in tawa, which is used to prepare Indian flat breads or even dosa. The entire recipe is made in the tawa, which makes it unique in taste from other paneer dishes, eventhough the ingredients and preparation methods are same.

For preparing this Tawa Paneer Masala, you will need Paneer, Onion, Tomato, Capsicum, chillies, Curd, Fresh cream, Kasuri Metghi, some spice powders and coriander leaves. This recipe can be prepared in less than 20 minutes. Make sure you use a medium or large size tawa, so that the gravy won't spill out while cooking.

You must definitely prepare this in a tawa for its taste and consistency (tawa is shown below with step by step pics). You must not use any other pan to prepare this tawa paneer masala recipe.

You can add or skip the cream and curd part. But I feel it tastes better when we add some cream and curd. You can even add either of these.

I have a few recipes in this blog, which are made in tawa. They are;

Whole Wheat Tawa Naan
Mushroom Tawa Masala
Tawa Idli

Serve this with any Indian flat bread or just with plain bread or buns. Garnish it with some coriander leaves and squeeze the fresh lime juice before serving. Accompany some onion rings and serve hot!!

Ingredients

Paneer - 1 big bowl, cubed
Butter - 1 tablespoon
Ginger - 1 inch, grated
Garlic - 2, grated
Onion - 2 nos, finely chopped
Tomato - 1 no, finely chopped
Capsicum - 1 no, medium sized, finely chopped
Kasuri Methi/ Dry fenugreek leaves - 1 tsp, crushed
Yogurt - 1 tsp
Fresh Cream - 1 tsp
Coriander leaves - To garnish, finely chopped.
Salt - to taste
Turmeric powder - a pinch

Spice powders:

Coriander Powder - 2 tsp
Chilli powder - 1 tsp
Cumin powder - 1 tsp
Garam masala/ Kitchen king masala - 1 tsp
Pav Bhaji masala- 1 tsp
Aamchur powder / Dry Mango powder - 1 tsp

Method

Heat Butter in a tawa and add the onions.

Now add the green chillies, ginger, garlic, salt and turmeric powder. Cook until the onions are transparent and raw smell of the ginger and garlic disappears.

Add the finely chopped capsicums. saute until the capsicum is well cooked

Add in the tomatoes and and keep sauteing until the tomatoes are really mushy.

Add all the spice powders one by one and mix well.

Take a potato masher (Or use the back of a tumbler) and mash the gravy well.

Add curd. Mix well. I had some paneer crumbs, I added even that in this stage and gave it a good mix.

Now pour a teaspoon of fresh cream to this.

Finally, add the paneer pieces and gently mix in the gravy. If you feel the gravy is becoming too thick, sprinkle some water. Let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes and then turn off the heat