Category: North Indian Recipes
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Serves: 4
🌟 How to Make Special Butter Paneer Masala
Butter Paneer Masala is a luxurious and creamy North Indian dish that brings together soft paneer (Indian cottage cheese) cubes and a rich tomato-based gravy. Known for its slightly sweet and mildly spiced flavor, it’s a favorite at restaurants and makes for a show-stopping homemade meal.
🛒How to Make Special Butter Paneer Masala Ingredients
For the Gravy:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 medium tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 10-12 cashew nuts
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- Salt to taste
- ½ tsp sugar (optional)
- ½ cup fresh cream
- ¼ cup water (adjust for consistency)
For the Paneer:
- 250g paneer (cubed)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
- Fresh coriander for garnish
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Gravy Base
- Heat butter and oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and bay leaf.
- Sauté chopped onions until golden.
- Add ginger-garlic paste and cook until the raw smell disappears.
- Add chopped tomatoes and cashews. Cook until tomatoes soften.
- Let the mixture cool slightly, then blend into a smooth paste.
2. Prepare the Curry
- Pour the blended mixture back into the pan.
- Add red chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, salt, and sugar.
- Add ¼ cup water and simmer for 5–7 minutes.
- Stir in the cream and cook on low heat until creamy and rich.
3. Cook the Paneer
- In another pan, lightly sauté paneer cubes in butter (optional for golden edges).
- Add paneer to the gravy and gently mix.
- Sprinkle kasuri methi and simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Garnish with coriander and a drizzle of cream.
🍽️ Best Served With:
- Butter Naan
- Jeera Rice
- Roti or Lachha Paratha
💡 Cooking Tips:
- Use fresh paneer for best texture. Soak store-bought paneer in warm water for 10 minutes if needed.
- For a smoother gravy, strain the tomato-onion-cashew blend before cooking.
- Balance flavors with a pinch of sugar or honey if tomatoes are too tangy.
- Add a cube of butter just before serving for that restaurant-style finish.