Easy and Delicious Kadai Paneer – is a rich and flavourful vegetarian dish made with paneer, onion, and green capsicum tossed in a spicy gravy. This kadhai paneer recipe is low in fat as it is made without frying paneer and tastes delicious.

This restaurant-style Kadai panner or karahi paneer is a spicy with a creamy touch, a main course dish best served with whole wheat butter naan, plain chapatti, paratha, poori, or even steamed or fried rice.

It is a simple veg curry that is ready in under 30 minutes. Kadhai paneer can be made dry or with gravy as per your choice. Here, I am sharing this recipe with the gravy version.

Kadai paneer is one of the popular paneer recipes. It is a must-have dish on the menus in all Indian restaurants.

Why it is called kadai paneer

Kadhai or Kadai paneer is a simple but flavourful and super delicious veg curry made with firm paneer and green capsicum cooked in a blend of fresh ground masala gravy. It is known as kadhai paneer as it is prepared in a special Indian wok that is called kadhai in hindi. You can also make it in a regular pan if you don’t have that kind of wok at home.

Other Vegetarian curry recipes you would like to try

• Easy And Healthy Chili Paneer With Soya Sauce
• Dry Masala Tinda Veg | One Pot Quick Tinda veg
• Bharwa Karela | Tangy and Spicy Stuffed Bitter Gourd
• Bharwa Masala Bhindi | Stuffed Masala Bhindi        

How to make masala gravy for Kadai paneer

First, we dry roast cinnamon, small cardamom, bay leaf, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and whole red chili. Then add garlic, ginger, onion, and tomato till they become soft and mushy. Let the mixture cool down, grind it into a fine paste. This freshly ground masala gravy gives a unique flavor and aroma to the dish.

Can we store this gravy?

This masala gravy for Kadai paneer can also be used in the making of different dishes. So, you can make this in a large quantity and store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for later use.

Also, if you are planning to make this dish for a special occasion or a party, to save time, you can prepare the masala gravy ahead, cook in oil and store it in the refrigerator. Then at the time of final preparation just add cubed paneer and green capsicum to this cooked gravy and further cook it for few minutes till done.

What are the Health benefits of eating Paneer

Homemade Paneer with toned milk

• Paneer dishes are very popular with vegetarians. It can be eaten raw or used in the making of various popular savory and sweet dishes.
• It is also known as fresh cheese or Indian cottage cheese, rich in protein, fats, iron, calcium, and magnesium.
• Digestion of Paneer is very slow so, it gives a feeling of fullness for a longer time and helps in curbing hunger pangs.
• Being rich in Calcium and Phosphorus it also helps in building strong teeth and bones, improves metabolism, and increases immunity.
• Panner is very useful in improving concentration and memory.

FAQs

Is it healthy to eat Paneer every day?

The answer is yes, but in a moderate amount. Try to eat Paneer made from low-fat milk. Although Paneer is a protein-rich food item but also rich in calories so consume in moderation is recommended. How to make low fat paneer at home click here

Is Paneer better than Cheese?

As both, cheese and paneer are healthy and nutritious but differ in their nutrition value. Cheese is high in saturated fats, salt, and cholesterol while paneer has low saturated fat and cholesterol levels. Paneer is good for weight loss whereas cheese is good for weight gain. Overall, Paneer is a healthier option than cheese.

How Paneer can be made at home?

At home, Paneer is made with curding of boiled milk either with vinegar, lemon juice, curd, or citric acid. Whole milk, toned milk, skim milk, or even cow milk is used for making Paneer but the texture, fat content, and calories are different. Homemade paneer recipe click here

Step by step preparation of low fat Kadhai Paneer recipe

Making of gravy for kadhai Paneer

1. In a frying pan, add ½ tbsp oil, bay leaf, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, small cardamom, and cinnamon stick. Roast them for about 1 minute on a low flame. Then add chopped garlic and ginger. Saute them for 30 seconds.

2. Now add green chili, onion, ½ tsp salt, and saute for 1-2 minutes till onions get little brown color. Finally, add tomatoes, cover the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes till the tomatoes become soft and cooked. Switch off the flame and let the mixture cool down.

3. Transfer this mixture into a grinder jar, add ¼ cup of water, and grind into a fine paste. Sieve the paste and put it aside.

Cooking of Kadhai Paneer

1. Now, put a frying pan on a low flame, heat 1 tbsp oil, add cubed onion and capsicum. Mix it once, cover the pan and cook it for 3-4 minutes till the onion and capsicum become slightly soft and tender. Stir occasionally. Transfer them to a plate.

2. Again add 1 tbsp oil in the pan and then sieved gravy paste. Mix well and cover the pan. Cook it for about 2-3 minutes till it starts leaving oil. Now add kasoori methi, salt, and malai. Cook it further for 1-2 minutes.

3. Finally, add onion, capsicum, and cubed paneer. Add 2-3 tbsp water. Cover the pan and cook it for 3-4 minutes. Add some chopped green coriander leaves. Mix well and switch off the flame.

4. Serve warm with your favorite healthy whole wheat naan or Bedmi poori.

Serving Suggestion

Kadai paneer tastes best with whole wheat butter naan, paratha, poori, chapatti, steamed, or even fried rice.

Tips and tricks to make this super delicious kadai paneer

1. Paneer used should be firm, not soft.
2. If you are using a readymade packed paneer, soak it in warm water for 10-15 minutes then cut it into cubes.
3. Use refined oil without any strong smell.
4. Roast masala and cook gravy on low flame.
5. Use fresh malai for a nice creamy texture and flavour.
6. Use only freshly ground masala to get the unique flavour and aroma in the dish.
7. To give a smoky flavour, use a dhungar method, in which we heat a coal piece till it becomes red, place it in a small bowl, and then place it in the middle of the kadhai paneer pan. Pour a teaspoon of ghee over the coal. cover then pan, keep it for 10-15 minutes till smoke flavour infused well with the dish. Serve warm and enjoy.

Recipe card for Easy and Delicious Kadhai Paneer

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Try out this delicious low fat kadai paneer recipe and let me know about your outcomes in the comments section below or tag #healthicallykitchen on instagram. If you like this recipe, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family and give us a star rating.