Paneer Butter Masala

Step 1

Soak cashews in a hot water for 20 to 30 minutes. When the cashews are soaking, you can prep the other ingredients like chopping tomatoes, preparing ginger-garlic paste, slicing paneer etc.

Step 2

Then drain and add the soaked cashews in a blender or grinder.

Step 3

Add 2 to 3 tablespoons water and grind to a smooth paste without any tiny bits or pieces of cashews.

Step 4

In the same blender add the roughly chopped tomatoes. No need to blanch the tomatoes before blending.

Step 5

Blend to a smooth tomato puree. Keep aside. Don’t add any water while blending the tomatoes.

Step 6

Melt butter in a pan on a low flame. Add tej patta and fry for 2 to 3 seconds or till the oil become fragrant.

Step 7

Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for some seconds till the raw aroma disappears.

Step 8

Add the tomato puree and stir well. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Then add kashmiri red chili powder and stir again. Continue to sauté till the oil starts to leave the sides of the tomato paste. The tomato paste will thicken considerably and will start coming together as one whole lump.

Step 9

Then add cashew paste and stir well. Sauté the cashew paste for a few minutes till the oil begins to leave the sides of the masala paste.

Step 10

The cashew paste will begin to cook fast. Approx 3 to 4 minutes on a low flame. So keep stirring non-stop.

Step 11

Add water and mix very well. Simmer on a low flame.

Step 12

The curry will come to a boil.

Step 13

After 2 to 3 minutes of boiling, add ginger julienne. Reserve a few for garnishing. The curry will also begin to thicken.

Step 14

Add julienned ginger and green chillies, salt and sugar and simmer till the curry begins to thicken.

Step 15

After 3 to 4 minutes, add slit green chillies. also add salt as per taste and ½ to 1 teaspoon sugar (optional).

Step 16

You can vary the sugar quantity from ¼ tsp to 1 teaspoon or more depending on the sourness of the tomatoes. Sugar is optional and you can skip it too. If you add cream, then you will need to add less sugar.

Step 17

Mix very well and simmer for a minute.

Step 18

After the gravy thickens to your desired consistency, then add the paneer cubes and stir gently. i keep the gravy to a medium consistency.

Step 19

After that add crushed kasuri methi (dry fenugreek leaves), garam masala and cream. Gently mix and then switch off the flame.

Step 20

Garnish it with coriander leaves and ginger julienne.

Step 21

You can even dot the gravy with some butter or drizzle some cream.

Step 22

Serve paneer butter masala hot with plain naan, garlic naan, roti, paratha or steamed basmati or jeera rice or even peas pulao.

Step 23

Side accompaniments can be an onion-cucumber salad or some pickle. Also serve some lemon wedges by the side.