Chilli Panner

A Spicy & Delicious Indo-Chinese Delight

Main Ingredients

For Fried Paneer:

  • 250g Paneer (cubed)
  • 2 tablespoons Cornflour
  • 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour (Maida)
  • 1/4 teaspoon Red chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon Turmeric powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Water (to make a batter)
  • Oil (for frying)

For Chilli Paneer Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons Oil
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger (finely chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon Garlic (finely chopped)
  • 2-3 Green chilies (slit)
  • 1 large Onion (sliced)
  • 1 bell pepper (sliced)
  • 1-2 tablespoons Soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Tomato ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Chili sauce (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sugar
  • Salt to taste
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • Fresh cilantro (for garnish)

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