Kadai Paneer(Indian Cottage Cheese curry)

Kadai Paneer is a delicious paneer recipe in which kadai masala is the main ingredient made by dry roasting at slow flame these ingredients: 2tbsp coriander seeds, 1 tbsp jeera, 1 tbsp fennel seeds, 1 tsp pepper corns, 1 tbsp kasuri methi, 10 dried red chillies, kasuri methi has to be added after roasting the other ingredients and after switching off the flame as it may burn due to its thin leaves. These are ground in to coarse powder to make kadai masala which can also be used to make other curries like kadai vegetable etc.

I gave a twist to this recipe by grilling the vegetables in the oven to get the smoky flavor. I ended up with a smoaky flavored kadai paneer which is very tasty.
Here is the detailed video recipe:

Ingredients:
1 green capsicum/green bellpepper diced in to cubes
1 yellow capsicum/yellow bellpepper diced in to cubes
1 red capsicum/bellpepper diced in to cubes 
200 gm paneer cut in to cubes
2 medium sized onions cut in to cubes and leaves opened
8 tomates pureed
1 tsp grated ginger 
1 tbsp of low fat cream
1/2 cup of milk

Kadai Masala: 
10 dry red chillies
2tbsp coriander seeds,
1 tbsp jeera,
1 tbsp fennel seeds,
1 tsp pepper corns,
1 tbsp kasuri methi
1 tsp garam masala

Method of preparation:
Kadai Masala: Dry roast all the ingredients except kasuri methi on a low flame till nice aroma is felt. Then switch off the flame and add kasuri methi and fry with the heat of the pan and the ingredients. Now grind them into a slightly coarse powder after cooled.

1. Slightly saute all the vegetables(all bell peppers and onion) in 1-2 tsp of oil till the oil is coated on them and transfer them to a greased baking tray, sprinkle little salt on it and grill them in the oven at 210-230C till you see some dark spots on them. After they are grilled remove from oven and sprinkle kadai masala on it and keep it aside.
2.  In the same pan add 1 more tea spoon of oil and add the paneer cubes and slightly fry them and sprinkle a little salt and kadai masala on it and keep it aside.
3. For gravy heat 2-3 teaspoons of oil and  add grated ginger and fry, then add 2-3 tsps of kadai masala and fry for just few sec on a very slow flame.
4. Then add the tomato puree and fry until oil separates. Now add 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder, chilli powder and salt as per the taste and 1 tsp garam masala .
5. Now whisk 1 tbsp of low fat cream in 1/2 cup of milk until well blended and add to the above cooking puree.
6. Mix and add the paneer cubes and vegetables and close the lid and pour some water on the lid and cook for 8-10 min until oil separates on a low flame.
7. Afetr oil separates, add the chopped coriander leaves and mix. Smoky and tasty kadai paneer is ready to be served iwth roti/biryani/pulao/white rice.