### Shahi Paneer Recipe – Restaurant Style
Shahi Paneer is an opulent and indulgent Indian dish that is ideal for festive events and gatherings. This velvety paneer dish, crafted with a mix of spices, nuts, and a rich gravy, pairs exquisitely with various Indian breads such as roti, naan, kulcha, or even rice preparations like pulao. Here’s how to prepare restaurant-style Shahi Paneer at home.
#### Ingredients
– **For the Gravy:**
– 200 grams paneer (cottage cheese), diced
– 2 medium-sized onions, blanched
– 10-12 cashew nuts
– 1-2 green chilies (adjust to preference)
– 1-inch chunk of ginger
– 2-3 cloves of garlic
– 1/2 cup fresh cream
– 1/2 cup milk
– 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
– 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder (optional)
– 2 tablespoons ghee or butter
– Salt to taste
– Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing
#### Instructions
1. **Prepare the Paneer:**
– Immerse the diced paneer in lukewarm water for around 10-15 minutes. This preserves the paneer’s softness and prevents it from breaking apart in the gravy.
2. **Make the Gravy:**
– In a blender, blend the blanched onions, cashew nuts, green chilies, ginger, and garlic until you obtain a smooth paste. You can add a bit of water if needed to assist with blending.
3. **Cook the Gravy:**
– In a pan, melt ghee or butter over medium heat. Add the onion-cashew paste and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the raw odor dissipates and the mixture turns golden brown.
– Season with salt, red chili powder (if used), and garam masala. Stir well and cook for an additional minute.
4. **Add Cream and Milk:**
– Reduce the heat and incorporate the fresh cream and milk into the pan. Mix thoroughly to blend all components. Allow the mixture to simmer for a few minutes until slightly thickened.
5. **Combine Paneer with Gravy:**
– Carefully add the soaked paneer cubes to the gravy. Stir gently to coat the paneer with the sauce. Allow it to simmer for another 5 minutes, letting the paneer absorb the flavors.
6. **Garnish and Serve:**
– Decorate with fresh coriander leaves. Serve hot with naan, roti, or kulcha.
#### Tips for Perfect Shahi Paneer
– **Blanching Onions:** Blanching onions contributes to a smooth and creamy gravy texture. To blanch, simply boil the onions in water for a few minutes and then move them to cold water.
– **Fresh Ingredients:** Utilize fresh cream and premium paneer for optimal taste.
– **Adjusting Spice Levels:** Modify the number of green chilies according to your spice tolerance.
This restaurant-style Shahi Paneer is guaranteed to wow your guests and elevate any meal. Relish the sumptuous flavors and creamy consistency of this delightful dish!