Chilli Paneer is a delectable Indo-Chinese fusion dish featuring crispy cubes of paneer cooked in a flavorful sauce with bell peppers, onions, and spices. The paneer is marinated, shallow-fried until golden, and then tossed in a zesty sauce that combines tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet flavors. This popular vegetarian dish is a perfect blend of textures and tastes, making it a beloved appetizer or side dish in Indian cuisine.
Here’s a recipe for Chilli Paneer:
Ingredients:
For Marination:
- 250 grams paneer, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (maida)
- 2 tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch)
- 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
- Salt to taste
- Water (as needed)
- Oil for frying
For Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper (capsicum), diced
- 2-3 green chilies, slit lengthwise (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
- 1 tablespoon chili sauce or hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornflour mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
- Salt to taste
- Spring onions (green part), chopped for garnish
Instructions:
- Marinating Paneer:
- In a bowl, mix all-purpose flour, cornflour, ginger-garlic paste, soy sauce, red chili powder, salt, and enough water to make a thick batter.
- Dip the paneer cubes in this batter, ensuring they are coated well.
- Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the marinated paneer until golden brown. Drain excess oil on a paper towel and set aside.
- Preparing Sauce:
- In the same pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Add chopped onions, diced bell peppers, and green chilies. Sauté until they turn slightly tender but still retain crunchiness.
- Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a minute until the raw smell disappears.
- Creating the Sauce Base:
- Add soy sauce, tomato ketchup, chili sauce, vinegar, sugar, and salt. Mix well.
- Stir in the cornflour-water mixture. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combining Paneer and Sauce:
- Add the fried paneer cubes to the sauce. Toss gently until the paneer cubes are coated with the sauce evenly.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes on medium heat, allowing the flavors to infuse.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish with chopped spring onions (green part).
- Serve Chilli Paneer hot as an appetizer or with fried rice/noodles.
Tips:
- Adjust the spiciness and sweetness levels by varying the amount of chili sauce and sugar.
- For a healthier option, you can bake the marinated paneer cubes instead of frying them.
Enjoy your delicious homemade Chilli Paneer!
