Degchi
Paneer Butter Masala
Serves 4 · Total 45 min · Prep 15 min · Cook 30 min
Soft paneer cubes in a velvety tomato-butter-cashew gravy, mildly spiced and finished with cream. A restaurant classic born in Delhi, it's the vegetarian cousin of butter chicken and a favourite at every Indian celebration.
Quick answer: 45 min in total · serves 4 · main ingredients: Cottage cheese, Tomato, Dry fruits, Butter · amounts in metric and US
Ingredients
- 300 g 10.5 oz Cottage cheese, cubed
- 4 pc 4 pc Tomato, roughly chopped
- 10 pc 10 pc Dry fruits, cashews, soaked
- 3 tbsp 3 tbsp Butter
- 1 pc 1 pc Onion, roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp 1 tbsp Ginger, chopped
- 4 clove 4 clove Garlic
- 1 tsp 1 tsp Red chilli powder
- 1 tsp 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp 1 tsp Salt, to taste
- 100 ml 0.4 cup Cream
- 0.5 tsp 0.5 tsp Garam masala (Optional)
- 2 tbsp 2 tbsp Coriander, chopped, for garnish (Optional)
Steps
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- Simmer the tomatoes, soaked cashews, onion, ginger and garlic in about 150 ml (⅔ cup) water, covered, for 12 minutes until everything is very soft.⏱ Cooking the base · 12 min
- Cool for a few minutes, then blend into a completely smooth puree.
- Melt the butter in a wide pan over medium heat and pour in the puree through a fine strainer, pressing it through to remove seeds and skin.
- Add the red chilli powder, sugar and salt and simmer for 8 minutes, stirring often, until the gravy is thick and the butter separates at the edges.⏱ Simmering gravy · 8 min
- Soak the paneer cubes in warm water for 3 minutes, drain, add to the gravy and simmer on low heat for 4 minutes so they take on the flavour.⏱ Cooking paneer · 4 min
- Switch off the heat, stir in the cream and garam masala, then check the salt.
- Garnish with coriander and serve hot with naan, roti or rice.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Paneer Butter Masala take?
45 minutes in total: about 15 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking.
Is Paneer Butter Masala hard to make?
Degchi rates it easy. The method has 7 steps, and 3 of them have a timer you can start on this page.
How many people does Paneer Butter Masala serve?
This recipe serves 4. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.
Is Paneer Butter Masala halal, vegetarian or eggless?
It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.
What will I probably need to buy for Paneer Butter Masala?
Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: red chilli powder, salt. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: cottage cheese, tomato, butter, onion, ginger, garlic, cream. Lentils, grains and other dry goods: dry fruits, sugar.
Any tips for making Paneer Butter Masala?
Straining the puree before cooking removes tomato seeds and skin for that smooth restaurant texture. Do not soak or simmer the paneer for long; it turns chewy. Add it last and keep the heat low.
Notes and questions
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Cooking terms in this recipe: Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) · Masala · Paneer · Methi (fenugreek)
