Chilli Panner
A Spicy & Delicious Indo-Chinese Delight
Main Ingredients
For Fried Paneer:
For Chilli Paneer Sauce:
Instruction
Step 1 - Frying the Paneer
Prepare the batter: In a bowl, combine cornflour, all-purpose flour, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and a pinch of salt. Add water gradually to make a smooth batter that coats the paneer cubes well.
Fry the paneer: Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Dip each paneer cube into the batter and fry until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
Step 2 - Making the Chilli Paneer Sauce
Sauté aromatics: In a separate pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add chopped ginger, garlic, and green chilies. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Cook the vegetables: Add sliced onions and bell peppers to the pan. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they are slightly tender but still crisp.
Add sauces: Stir in soy sauce, tomato ketchup, chili sauce, and vinegar. Add sugar to balance the flavors. Mix everything well.
Make the sauce: Pour in 1/2 cup of water and bring the mixture to a simmer. Once it’s boiling, add the cornflour slurry (cornflour dissolved in water) to thicken the sauce. Stir until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
Step 3: Combine Paneer and Sauce
Mix fried paneer: Add the fried paneer cubes to the sauce, tossing gently to coat the paneer evenly with the sauce. Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust salt or chili sauce if necessary.
Simmer for a few minutes: Let the paneer absorb the flavors by cooking it in the sauce for another 2-3 minutes.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Garnish: Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and serve hot.
Serving Suggestions: Chilli Paneer can be served with steamed rice, fried rice, or noodles. It also makes for an excellent appetizer or party snack.
Tips for the Perfect Chilli Paneer
Crispiness: Make sure to fry the paneer cubes until they are golden and crispy before adding them to the sauce. This gives them a satisfying crunch.
Adjust the spice level: You can adjust the amount of green chilies, chili sauce, and chili powder based on your spice tolerance.
Vegan option: You can substitute paneer with tofu for a vegan version of this dish.
Why You’ll Love Chilli Paneer
Quick & Easy: This dish can be prepared in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect choice for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Flavor-packed: The crispy paneer combined with the spicy, tangy sauce delivers an irresistible combination of flavors. Customizable: You can easily modify the spice level and add more vegetables to suit your preferences.
Yield
6 Servings
Prep Time
25 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
45 minutes