Achari Paneer (Cottage Cheese with Pickled Gravy)

Here is the much awaited paneer recipe. Thanks to all who voted in the poll. This recipe is for all of you.

Ingredients:

• 200 gms of paneer ( cottage cheese ), cut into medium sized cubes
• 1 tsbp pickle or pickle powder ( homemade or readymade mango pickle goes well )
• 2 onions
• 3 big tomatoes
• small piece of ginger
• 3-4 pods of garlic
• 1/2 tsp red chili power
• 1 tsp garam masala powder
• 1 tbsp tomato kechup
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/4 cup cream (optional)
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• pinch of hing ( asafoetida)
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 green chili
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 dry red chili
• water as required
• salt to taste

Method:

• Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and hing.
• When the seeds crackle, add bay leaf and dry red chili
• Grind onion, tomato , green chili , garlic and ginger in a blender and add this paste to the pan
• Add one cup of water, garam masala, salt , red chili powder, tomato ketchup and pickle.
• Add the sugar to balance the acidity of tomatoes.
• Now cook it with lid coverd for few minutes till oil separates.
• Optionally, add the cream and mix it well .
• Add Paneer cubes and cook for 5 minutes.
• Garinsh with coriander leaves. Ready to serve.

Serving Suggestions:
Serve with parathas or naan.

Tip:
For a healthier version of this dish, you can substitute the cream with low-fat yogurt and paneer with tofu.