Paneer Capsicum Masala - Super Easy ,Quick Paneer Recipe made with Firm cottage cheese and green bell pepper.Easy weeknight sabzi!
This along with some hot parathas is heaven for me and my brother! We could live on it. Eternally!
What is Paneer Capsicum Masala
This is a dry paneer recipe made by first making the masala base with onions, tomatoes and then cooking the capsicum al dente before adding the cottage cheese.
The main step is the onion- tomato masala, also known as indian bhuna masala.I usually make this in bulk and use it across different curries.
My Mom's Paneer Capsicum Masala
I am not lying here but this is my mother's goto recipe-it's served every time important guests come home,it was served when my inlaws came home for the first time, it was served when my brother's inlaws came home the first time, it was served when my husband and I visited home the first time after marriage and I am pretty sure it was one of the first "house" recipes my mother introduced to my sister in law.
That said, when you read the recipe don't baulk at me.It's not one of those fry till you die type of a recipe.It's a recipe that totally resonates with my mothers personality and that's super duper.
This recipe can be made start to end in about 15 minutes.
Tips and Tricks to make the best Paneer Capsicum
Quicker Bhuna Masala -Instead of spending too much time cooking down the masala, my mother usually adds a spoon or two of tomato pure to help with the colour and the browning.
Crunchy Capsicum - The capsicum and the paneer are added towards the end and barely cooked to maintain their structural integrity.
To serve Paneer Capsicum- Serve this simple with some parathas and a dal fry. You could also serve this along with Rajma and Jeera rice when you have guests over.
Here are some more Indian Paneer Recipes for you
Paneer Butter Masala
Methi Paneer Malai
Achari Paneer
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Paneer Firm Cottage Cheese
- 2 Green Bell Peppers Capsicum
- 1 Cup Chopped Onion around 1 large onion
- 1 Small Onion Cut into quarters
- 1 Cup Red Tomatoes Chopped about 2 medium tomatoes
- 3 tablespoon Tomato Puree
- 1 tablespoon Coriander Powder
- 1 teaspoon Jeera/Cumin
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 1 Fresh Green Chilli or jalapeno
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Add oil to the pan and heat on High Flame.
- Once the oil is hot, add the Cumin.Let it splutter.Add the Green Chill & chopped onions.
- Once they soften and become translucent add the quartered onions.Saute for about 30 seconds more till the quartered onions start to become translucent and chopped onions brown a bit.
- Add in the Coriander Powder and saute for 10 seconds-making sure the masala doesn't burn.
- Mix in the tomatoes along with their juices and the tomato puree.
- Cook till the masala has thickened and tomatoes have disintegrated-takes about 10 minutes.
- Add a tablespoon of water if the masala is burning or looks dry.
- Add the capsicum and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Next add in the paneer and mix everything together.Cook for 30 seconds more and Paneer Capsicum is ready!
Nutrition
Tips on Cooking with Paneer
I want to share a quick tip on how to resurrect old paneer.
I know most of us are not fortunate enough to get fresh soft paneer and it can be frustrating.My mother in-law almost always takes fresh paneer from Bangalore because the Chennai Paneer scene is beyond pathetic. The trick to make any not so awesome old, dry looking paneer usable is to soak it in some warm water with a tiny bit of white vinegar.Infact I store my fresh paneer in a box full of water and vinegar and it stays soft and fresh for almost a week.
Also I never cook or fry my panner.Cooking the paneer makes it tough and thats not the texture I am after.And I am the laziest person when it comes to frying so that's really out of question and in my opinion a very redundant step.
Do leave me a note if you want me to post more such recipes.Also if you try it and like it'd review me on the blog.
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