### Shahi Paneer Recipe – Restaurant Style
Shahi Paneer is an opulent and flavorful Indian dish, ideal for festive events and gatherings. This rich paneer curry, crafted with a mix of spices and nuts, complements various Indian breads such as naan, roti, or kulcha, making it beloved in both restaurants and households. Here’s a guide to making Shahi Paneer in a restaurant-style manner.
#### Ingredients
– **For the Gravy:**
– 200 grams paneer (cottage cheese), chopped into cubes
– 2 large onions, blanched
– 1/2 cup cashew nuts
– 1/2 cup fresh cream
– 1-2 green chilies, slit
– 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
– 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
– 1/2 tsp garam masala
– 1/2 tsp coriander powder
– 1/4 tsp red chili powder (optional)
– Salt to taste
– 2 tbsp ghee or butter
– Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing
#### Instructions
1. **Preparation of Ingredients:**
– Blanch the onions by boiling them in water for 5-7 minutes, then drain and cool. This step assists in achieving a silky gravy.
– Soak the cashew nuts in warm water for roughly 15-20 minutes to soften them.
2. **Making the Gravy:**
– In a blender, mix the blanched onions and soaked cashew nuts. Blend until smooth, adding a bit of water if necessary for a creamy texture.
– In a pan, heat ghee or butter over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them sputter.
– Introduce the ginger-garlic paste and slit green chilies, sautéing for a minute until aromatic.
– Add the blended onion-cashew mixture and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring continuously. This step helps eliminate the raw taste of the onions.
– Incorporate coriander powder, garam masala, and red chili powder (if using). Mix thoroughly and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
3. **Adding Paneer:**
– Soak the paneer cubes in lukewarm water for about 10 minutes. This keeps them tender and prevents them from breaking apart in the gravy.
– Carefully add the soaked paneer cubes to the simmering gravy. Stir gently to coat the paneer without breaking it.
– Incorporate fresh cream and salt to taste. Mix delicately and allow it to simmer for another 5 minutes, enabling the paneer to absorb the flavors.
4. **Serving:**
– Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and a drizzle of cream for an elegant presentation.
– Serve hot alongside naan, roti, kulcha, or even with aromatic pulao.
#### Tips for Perfect Shahi Paneer
– Utilize fresh paneer for optimal texture and taste.
– Blanching the onions is essential for a creamy gravy.
– Adjust spice levels according to your liking.
– For an even richer flavor, consider adding a touch of saffron soaked in warm milk.
This restaurant-style Shahi Paneer is bound to dazzle your guests and elevate any meal to a special occasion. Relish the creamy, nutty flavors that this dish brings to your table!