Paneer makhanwala

Adapted from: Vegrecipesofindia

Ingredients:

Paneer - 250gm, cut into small cubes
Onion - 1 , medium
Tomatoes - 2
Green chilly - 1
Garlic - 3
Ginger - 1 " piece
Cashews - 10- 12
Cardamom - 1
Cloves - 2 or 3
Cinnamon - 1" piece
Jeera - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Red chilly powder - 1/2 tsp
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
Kasuri methi - 1/2 tsp
Salt - to taste
Oil/Butter - 2 tbsp
Cream - 1/4 cup



Method:

1. Roughly chop the onions, tomatoes , green chilly, garlic and  ginger . Add these to a pan along with cashews, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves. Now add 1 cup water and cook for 15 - 20 minutes or till the tomatoes and onions are cooked completely.
2. Allow the mixture to cool down completely . Then grind it to a smooth paste.
3. Meanwhile heat the pan with a tbsp of oil/butter . Shallow fry the paneer cubes till the sides are lightly browned. Keep aside.
4. Heat another tbsp of oil/butter and add jeera. When the jeera splutters, add the onion-tomato mixture along with turmeric powder and red chilly powder . Stir well. The mixture might splutter a lot. So keep the lid closed till the gravy starts thickening . Stir till the gravy has thickened and oil starts separating.
5. Now add salt and 1 cup water and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
6. Next add the paneer cubes and stir gently.
7. Lastly add cream, garam masala and kasuri methi. Stir and simmer for a minute.

Serve hot with chappathis or  roti !