Paneer Lababdar

Paneer Lababdar
Paneer Lababdar
 
This rich, creamy, luscious and delicious restaurant style gravy is made with Indian cottage cheese (paneer), onions, tomatoes and basic spices. Soft cottage cheese (Paneer) pieces are dunked in thick, rich and creamy tomato gravy.
 
Preparation Time: 15 minutes 
Cooking time: 25-30 minutes 
Serves: 4-5
 
INGREDIENTS:
 
For The Red Gravy

Oil/Ghee- 1 tablespoon 
Cumin seeds- 1 teaspoon 
Bay leaf- 1-2
Cinnamon stick- 1”
Cloves- 5-6
Green cardamoms- 2-3
Black peppercorns- 3-4
Onions- 3, medium, sliced 
Green chilies- 1-2, chopped 
Ginger- 1” piece, chopped 
Cashew nuts- 7-8
Melon seeds- 1 tablespoon 
Dry Red chillies- 4-5
Tomatoes(chopped)- 4-5, medium, chopped 
Water- about 300 milliliter 

Other Ingredients:
 
Ghee/ butter- 2 tablespoon 
Ginger Juliennes- 1 tablespoon 
Cottage cheese or Paneer- 100 grams, grated 
Cottage cheese or Paneer- 400 grams, cubes

Salt- according to your taste 
Sugar- 1 teaspoon 
Dry fenugreek leaves/ Kasoori methi- 1 teaspoon 
Garam masala- 1 teaspoon 
Coriander powder- 1 teaspoon 

Cream- 1 tablespoon 
Fresh coriander- 1 tablespoon, chopped 


DIRECTIONS:

For making the Red Gravy:

In a pan put ghee or oil.
Let it become hot.
Add in cumin seeds, peppercorns, cloves, bay leaves, cinnamon and green cardamoms.
Sauté till cumin seeds crackle.
After that add in sliced onions.
Sauté till they become translucent.

After that add in green chilies, whole red chilies, cashews, melon seeds and ginger.
Sauté everything for a minute.
Next, add in chopped tomatoes and give everything a good mix.
After that add in water.
Cover the pan and let it cook for about 10 minutes.

Switch off the gas and let the mixture come to room temperature.
Blend this mixture in a mixer to a smooth fine paste. 
Keep aside. Your red gravy is ready.
How to make Paneer Lababdar 
 
Heat the Ghee in a wok/Pan.
Add in Ginger Juliennes. Sauté them.
Add in the prepared red paste.
Along with add kasoori methi, sugar, garam masala and coriander powder.
Mix everything well. Let it cook for about 3-4 minutes.
After that add grated paneer. Mix well.
Let it cook for 5-7 minutes.
After that add in paneer cubes and salt. Mix well.
Add in cream also.
If the gravy looks very thick, you can adjust the consistency of gravy by adding water. 
Cover the pan and let it cook for about 8-10 minutes.

Your paneer lababdar is ready.
Garnish with cream and chopped coriander leaves.
Serve it with Naan, Tandoori Rotis, Chapati, poori, paratha or rice.
Enjoy!!