Paneer recipes

Trying to have one paneer recipe every dinner. So of course, i need a few of them :)

All of these recipes are tried and tested:

1. Paneer Makhani

My and family's perennial favorite. Roast tomatoes, garlic and chillies in oven/air fryer. Blend and make curry with ghee and whole spices.

  • Ghee
  • Whole spices - jeera, black cardamom, cinnamon, laung (all these can also be replaced by garam masala powder added at the end)
  • Tomatoes, garlic, chillies - spirinkle some oil on top and roast all these in oven/air fryer. When cooled, blend. Also, tomato skins can be peeled off, usually they come off easily after roasting. (Optional) 
  • 1/4 cup kaju - Grind to fine powder and add to blended tomato paste. Add this mix to the spice-infused ghee and cook for a bit.
  • 400g Paneer - Soak in water for 15-30 minutes. Chop into pieces and sprinkle salt and red chillie powder and leave for a while. Toast in a pan with a little oil, and then add to the curry.  
  • Kasuri methi - add at the end


2. Lauki Paneer 

This is the new surprise recipe which has replaced paneer makhani for me now! Though needs to be titled better,
  • Lauki - chop into pieces 
  • Capsicum - chop into pieces (optional)
  • Kaju - 8-10 pieces
  • Almonds - 8-10 pieces
  • Whole spices - cardamom, cinnamon, laung, tejpatta (optional - if you use them, take them out before blending)
Heat oil in a pan, add all of the above, salt and some water, and cook until soft. Let it cool down.
Puree in a blender. 
  • Marinate paneer pieces with some curd (optional), salt, pepper and kasuri methi.
  • Toast in a pan, and add to the curry!
Yummy and healthy !!


3. Paalak paneer

Winter favorite! Faster to make than it looks.


4. Paneer shimla mirch

Got inspiration from a short, but then i tweaked it a lot. It helped that I had ready Peanuts and curry leaves podi which I made earlier. (Recipe at https://recipesbyabha.blogspot.com/2025/07/dry-chutneys-to-keep-in-jar-for-rainy.html)
  • Red/Green/Yellow peppers - toast them in oil
  • Curry leaves podi - Add 2 heaped tablespoons
  • Paneer - marinate in salt and spices - Add to peppers and cook for 2-3 minutes

5. Chinese-style paneer

This needs some things in fridge. Wiz. my masterchow chowmein sauce, and my latest find - The Gourmet Jar Asian Viniagrette. I have made it earlier with just the chowmein sauce, but adding the Gourmet Jar dressing definitely takes it to next level. 
  • Chowmein sauce
  • Asian Viniagrette (contains peanuts and honey, among other things. But these are the primary flavor-adding ingredients)
  • If not available, use a sweet chilli sauce
Marinate paneer in a mix of these sauces and toast in a pan. Simple and quick!
(Tip: I used the same sauce mix to cook potatoes-cauliflower bhaji yesterday, and it came out AMAZING! Agni called it the best dish in dinner)


6. Methi-Paneer Bhurji

(added on Dec 18, 2025)
This has been a find of this season. And I am in love with it. 
Two reasons: 1. It is really easy to make - also paneer is crushed so even not so soft paneer works fine.
2. It is really yum and very healthy. Gives me a way to have both methi and paneer for dinner. 
Got the idea from a dillifoodies video which was actually about dosa, but this was used as a filling. And now I am making it every week. It is similar to bachpan kee aloo-methi, but much yummier and healthier. Agni loves it too! (Not as much as Paneer makhani, but eats it happily enough :)


  • Cumin seeds 1 tsp
  • Pinch of heeng
  • Onion 1 medium
  • Methi leaves 1 cup
  • Salt, Red chilli powder
  • Paneer grated 200 Gm
Rest is simple and intuitive. Heat some oil, add cumin and heeng. Add onion. Add methi and this time, let it cook for at least 5 minutes. Add salt and red chillies and grated paneer. Toss and mix and it's done!

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