Welcome to a delightful culinary journey where we dive into the flavorsome world of Chili Paneer. If you're a fan of Indo-Chinese fusion cuisine, this dish will surely tantalize your taste buds with its spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors. In this post, we'll guide you through the process of creating this mouth-watering dish in your own kitchen, using ingredients you can easily find. Let's get started!
Ingredients You'll Need
Before we begin, make sure you gather all the ingredients. Here's what you'll need:
- 200 grams of paneer (Indian cottage cheese), cubed
- 1 large bell pepper (capsicum), cut into squares
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon of ginger, finely chopped
- 1-2 green chilies, slit
- 2 tablespoons of tomato ketchup
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of red chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon of vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of sugar (optional, for balancing flavors)
- 2 tablespoons of corn flour
- 3-4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour (maida)
- Salt to taste
- Oil for frying
- Spring onions for garnishing
Step 1: Preparing the Paneer
Start with the paneer:
- Mix corn flour, all-purpose flour, salt, and water to make a batter that coats the paneer well but isn't too thick.
- Dip the paneer cubes into the batter ensuring all sides are well covered.
- Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the paneer until golden brown. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
💡 Note: Frying the paneer gives it a crispy texture, which contrasts beautifully with the sauce later.
Step 2: Preparing the Vegetables
Now for the vegetables:
- Heat a tablespoon of oil in a wok or frying pan.
- Add the chopped garlic and ginger, sauté until they turn light golden.
- Toss in the green chilies and onion, stir fry for a minute.
- Add the bell pepper and continue to stir fry for another 2 minutes to keep it slightly crunchy.
Step 3: Making the Sauce
Let’s prepare the signature chili sauce:
- In the same pan, lower the heat, and add tomato ketchup, soy sauce, red chili sauce, vinegar, and sugar.
- Stir well, and if the sauce is too thick, add a bit of water. The sauce should be thick but not paste-like.
🔔 Note: Adjust the heat level by adding more or less red chili sauce or green chilies to suit your taste.
Step 4: Combining Paneer with Sauce
Now it’s time to combine everything:
- Add the fried paneer cubes into the sauce.
- Gently toss the paneer to coat it evenly with the sauce without breaking the paneer.
- Let it simmer for a couple of minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Step 5: Garnish
To finish off the dish:
- Chop spring onions and sprinkle them over the top for a fresh, vibrant touch.
- A quick stir fry in the sauce can also work if you prefer a cooked garnish.
Step 6: Serve Your Chili Paneer
Chili Paneer pairs excellently with:
- Steamed or fried rice
- Noodles
- Indian breads like naan or roti
Place the dish in your serving platter, ensuring the colorful sauce, crispy paneer, and the bright garnish are visually appealing.
In summary, by following these steps, you've just crafted a delightful plate of Chili Paneer at home. This Indo-Chinese fusion dish brings together the robustness of paneer with the zestful flavors of chili, soy, and ketchup to create something truly special. It's a versatile dish that can be made to suit various taste preferences, making it a great addition to your home cooking repertoire. Enjoy your culinary creation, and don't hesitate to experiment with different ingredients or spice levels to make it uniquely yours!
Can I use tofu instead of paneer in this recipe?
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Yes, you can certainly use tofu. Just ensure to press out the water from the tofu to get a crispy exterior when fried.
Is there a way to make this dish healthier?
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To make it healthier, consider shallow frying or air frying the paneer and reducing the amount of sugar and ketchup in the sauce. You can also add more vegetables.
What are some variations of this recipe?
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Variations include adding cashews or peanuts for crunch, incorporating pineapple chunks for a sweet twist, or making it dry without the sauce for a different texture.
