Chilli Paneer Recipes

Chilli Paneer is a popular Indo-Chinese dish made with paneer (Indian cottage cheese) that’s typically served as an appetizer or side dish. It’s known for its spicy and tangy flavors. Here’s a brief overview of Chilli Paneer and a simple recipe:

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Paneer Marinade:

• 250 grams paneer, cut into cubes
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (maida)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
• Salt to taste
• Water, as needed

For the Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 bell pepper (capsicum), thinly sliced
• 1-2 green chilies, slit lengthwise (adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
• 1 tablespoon chili sauce or hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• Salt to taste
• 2-3 spring onions, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Marinade the Paneer: a. In a bowl, combine all-purpose flour, cornstarch, red chili powder, salt, and enough water to make a thick batter. b. Dip the paneer cubes into the batter to coat them evenly.

2. Deep-Fry the Paneer: a. Heat oil in a pan or wok over medium-high heat. b. Carefully add the coated paneer cubes to the hot oil and deep-fry until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove them and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.

3. Prepare the Sauce: a. In the same pan, leave about 2 tablespoons of oil. Add minced garlic and ginger and sauté for a minute until fragrant. b. Add the finely chopped onion, sliced bell pepper, and green chilies. Sauté until they become tender yet slightly crisp. c. Add soy sauce, tomato ketchup, chili sauce, vinegar, sugar, and salt. Mix well and cook for a couple of minutes.

4. Combine the Paneer and Sauce: a. Add the fried paneer cubes to the sauce and toss them well, ensuring they are coated with the sauce. b. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to let the paneer absorb the flavors of the sauce.

5. Garnish and Serve: a. Garnish with chopped spring onions. b. Your Chilli Paneer is ready to be served.

Cook’s Tips:

• Adjust the spiciness of the dish by varying the amount of green chilies and chili sauce.
• You can also add diced onions, green bell peppers, or other vegetables of your choice to make it more colorful and flavorful.
• Serve Chilli Paneer hot as an appetizer or with steamed rice or noodles as a main dish.

Enjoy your homemade Chilli Paneer!