Paneer Pasanda ( Stuffed Indian cottage cheese curry)

Pasanda means favorite or preferences and Paneer pasanda means paneer dish which is favorite or liked by everyone. Basically paneer slices stuffed with dry fruits and spices, then shallow fried and rest on a smooth creamy onion and tomato gravy called Paneer pasanda. Bengali's don't use onion or garlic on vegetarian dishes so as a Bengali I used hing or asafoetida instead of onion or garlic. I like the fresh flavor of coriander leaves so I used coriander leaves paste on the gravy to give it an exotic touch. But you can use curd, onion or anything you like to make the gravy, choice is yours. This recipe is a bit tricky but it taste awesome.

Serves - 4

Preparation time - 45 minutes

Cooking time - 30 minutes

Ingredients:-

1 block of Indian cottage cheese / paneer

cut into triangle thin slice

Paneer pieces cut into traingle pieces

For gravy

                                                      

2 large tomatoes chopped

6  green chili paste

1/2 cup coriander leaves paste

Ingredients for stuffing

1 tsp turmeric powder

                                                         
2 tsp coriander powder

1 dried red chili

1 pinch of hing/asafoetida

1 tbsp ginger paste

2 tsp sugar

Mixed ingredients

1 tsp garam masala powder  

1 tsp whole cumin seeds

For stuffing

Stuffing filled paneer pieces

2 tbsp crushed cashew nut   
                        

1 tbsp coriander leaves chopped

2 green chili chopped

1 tbsp grated paneer(cottage cheese)

2 tbsp corn flour 

2 tbsp all purpose flour

Salt for seasoning

Vegetable oil for frying and making gravy

                                                                          

Fried paneer pieces ready for dip in gravy

corn flour paste

Method:-

For stuffing

In a shallow dish mix  cashew nuts, coriander leaves, green chilies,salt and grated cottage cheese.

Take one triangle slice of paneer(cottage cheese) and pour 1 tsp of stuffing and press another slice over it.(follow pictures). Make like sandwiches.

In a small bowl add 2 tbsp of corn flour and 2 tbsp of all purpose flour and make a smooth paste by adding water. Add seasoning.

Heat oil in a frying pan. Dip paneer(cottage cheese) sandwiches in corn flour paste coat both side well and fry. Fry only for 2 to 3 minutes just to prevent stuffing from spreading out. Do the same to all.

Drain in a paper towel.

For gravy

Heat oil in a pan or skillet. Add dried chili and whole cumin seeds. After it crackles add hing and chopped tomato fry a bit then add turmeric powder, coriander powder, salt and cook until tomato is all mashed. 

Add green chili paste, ginger paste, sugar and coriander leaves paste. Add  1/2 cup of water and cook until oil floats on top.

Add fried stuffed cottage cheese to the gravy and just wait gravy heat to boiling point. Add garam masala powder mix well and switch off the flame. 

Serve hot with rice, chapati or parathas(Indian flatbread).


Happy Cooking:)