Recipe for Shahi Paneer:

Shahi Paneer is one such delicacy you can count in your list of main-course items while arranging a birthday/anniversary party at your home. This particular dish is enjoyed by people of all age group starting from kids to the grown-ups. You may make it a little less spicy/hot (reducing the amount of chilli) for the kids, they will love it.

Ingredients:

• Paneer (cottage cheese) - 450 grams cubed (You can buy ready-made good quality cream paneer available in the market, or you can also make it at home. Please click here for steps to make paneer at home.)
• Onion paste - 2 large onions
• Oil/Butter - 2 tablespoons
• Cloves - 3
• Black peppercorns - 4-5
• Cinnamon - 2 sticks
• Bay leaf - 1
• Dry red chilly - 2
• Green chillies,slit - 2
• Ginger paste - 1 teaspoon
• Garlic paste - 1 teaspoon
• Cashew nut paste - 3 Tbsp
• Yogurt - 1/2 cup
• Cream - 1/2 cup
• Garam masala powder - 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt - to taste
• Sugar - 1/2 teaspoon
• Coriander leaves - 1 teaspoon (finely chopped) for garnishing (optional)

Procedure:

1. Heat oil/butter in a kadai (wok).
2. Add the cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon,dried red chillies and bay leaf and sauté till fragrant. 
3. Add onion paste and sauté for three to four minutes, add sugar,salt and green chillies. 
4. Add the ginger paste and garlic paste and continue to sauté for two minutes. 
5. Add the cashewnut paste and sauté for another two minutes. 
6. Add the yogurt and sauté till it becomes thick. 
7. Add the cream and the paneer.
8. Cook in low heat for another minute or two and add garam masala powder. 
9. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves (optional).

NOTE: It has plenty of serving options. It can be served hot with butter naan, paratha, kulcha or tandoori roti.