Paneer bhurji is a very versatile dish. It can be had with chappathis/rotis as a side dish or by itself as a snack. Paneer Bhurji Recipe is very easy to make, that my cousin (studying 10th grade), borrowed this recipe from me for a cooking competition in his school! When a boy (with no previous cooking experience) can make this dish, you can too!!
What is Paneer?
Paneer is basically cottage cheese, and it is available in all Indian grocery stores. Whole milk is used to make Paneer at home. Whole milk is boiled; lemon or vinegar or curd is added to curdle the milk to separate the greenish whey; cheese cloth is used to strain the whey from the coagulated milk mixture/ paneer. The home-made paneer can be used immediately or it can be refrigerated (upto 3 days) to be used later. I make paneer at home when I have a lot of time, otherwise I use store bought paneer.
How to make Paneer bhurji?
Paneer Bhurji Recipe requires very few ingredients and I promise you, you can make this dish in half an hour. The key ingredients include: onions, tomatoes, paneer, ginger-garlic paste, green chilis, lemon juice, and some spices. The whole spices: cumin & coriander seeds are tempered in oil. Finely chopped onions are added to the spices along with green chilis. Once the onions turn golden brown add ginger-garlic paste and sauté until raw smell dissipates. Now add turmeric powder, chili powder and garam masala. Now add finely chopped tomatoes and wait for contents of the pan to thicken up. Once the masala base thickens, add the grated paneer and salt and give everything a good mix. Give it a taste and add more salt or chili powder if needed. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is now added and garnished with fresh cilantro leaves.
Serving suggestions
Recently, I made dosas (Indian-style rice pancakes) at home and I had some left over paneer bhurji. I stuffed the paneer bhurji in crispy hot dosas and served it with coconut chutney. I just made restaurant-style paneer dosas at home. It was so yummy! You can also eat this paneer bhurji by itself as a snack or serve it as a side dish for chappthis/ rotis. Place some paneer bhurji on chappathi and roll them up; kids will love it as their lunch!
Happy cooking!!
Paneer Burji
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 1/2 tsp fennel seeds optional
- 2 small green chilis finely chopped (add more if required)
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 1 tsp Ginger-garlic paste
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp chili powder add more if required
- 1 tsp garam masala add more if required
- 200 grams Paneer grated
- 1 large tomato diced
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice add more if required
- a handful of cilantro leaves finely chopped
Instructions
- Finely chop the onion and tomato
- Grate the paneer
- Heat oil in a pan
- Temper with a teaspoon of cumin and and a teaspoon of coriander seeds
- Now add onions and finely chopped green chilis; fry till onions are golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell dissipates.
- Add turmeric, chili powder, and garam masala. Mix well
- Now add chopped tomatoes. Sauté till oil is released
- Now add the grated paneer and salt. Mix everything thoroughly
- Do not cook the paneer for more than 2 or 3 minutes
- Give it a taste
- Now add the lemon juice and give it all a mix. Give it a taste
- Now add coriander leaves
- Turn off heat
Directions with pictures
1.Finely chop the onion and tomato
2. Grate the paneer
3. Heat oil in a pan
4. Temper a teaspoon of cumin and and a teaspoon of coriander seeds
5. Now add onions and finely chopped green chilis; fry till onions are golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell dissipates.
6. Add turmeric, chili powder, and garam masala. Mix well and sauté for atleast 30 seconds
7. Now add chopped tomatoes. Sauté till oil is released
8. Now add the grated paneer and salt. Mix everything thoroughly
9. Do not cook the paneer for more than 2 or 3 minutes. Give it a taste
10. Now add the lemon juice and give it all a mix. Give it a taste
11. Now add coriander leaves
12. Turn off heat and serve paneer bhurji with chapathis/ roti/ or even a toast!
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