Chettinad Paneer Pirattal recipe with step by step pictures. A typical South Indian style Paneer masala cooked in a spicy, flavorful, freshly ground chettinad masala. Pirattal is nothing but an equivalent of a semi dry curry in chettinad tamil slang.
This paneer recipe is very quick and easy to make, as all you have to do is get the masala paste ready. If you do, then making this dish is very easy.
This chettinad paneer pirattal will not be watery like a regular kurma but it is a semi gravy dish where the thick masala paste coats the paneer cubes and it is absolutely lip smacking.
It is best served hot with phulkas or chapathis. This chettinad delicacy will be very rich taste wise as it has both paneer and a thick, rich coconut base.
The first time I had this at my MIL’s neighbor’s place, I was totally hooked to the taste. It was like a fusion of all the aromas and flavors of the spices along with the coconut base.
Chettinad Paneer pirattal with step by step photos:
1. Take all the ingredients mentioned under the chettinad masala in a mixie jar.
2. Grind to a smooth paste using little water and keep aside.
3. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seed and let it pop.Add the chopped onions and sauté till it turns pink.
4. Add the tomatoes, a pinch of salt and cook till the tomatoes soften and turn mushy.
5. Add the ground chettinad masala paste, salt and mix well. Do not add water. Close with a lid and cook for 5 to 7 minutes over low flame. Mix every 2 min to prevent the masala from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
6. Add the paneer cubes, chopped coriander leaves and mix well. At this stage if the gravy is very thick, add 3-4 tbsp water.
7. Cook for 5 mins over low flame till the paneer gets coated with the masala paste and the flavor merges well. Chettinad paneer pirattal is ready.
8. Serve hot with phulkas or chapthis.
Chettinad paneer pirattal recipe details as follows:
Chettinad Paneer Pirattal / Curry
Ingredients
- Paneer - 200 gms cubed
- Onion – 2
- Tomato – 3
- Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
- Coriander leaves - 4 tbsp chopped
- Salt – to taste
- Oil – 2 tbsp
For Chettinad Masala Paste:
- Freshy grated coconut – 1/2 cup
- Red chilli powder – 2 tsp
- Coriander powder – 3 tsp
- Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp
- Cardamom – 2
- Cloves – 2
- Cinnamon – 2
- Fennel seeds – 1/2 tsp
- Garlic – 5 pods
- Ginger – 1 inch piece
Instructions
Make the paste:
- Take all the ingredients mentioned under the chettinad masala in a mixie jar.
- Grind to a smooth paste using little water and keep aside.
Make chettinad paneer pirattal:
- Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seed and let it pop.
- Add the chopped onions and sauté till it turns pink.
- Add the tomatoes, a pinch of salt and cook till the tomatoes soften and turn mushy.
- Add the ground chettinad masala paste, salt and mix well. Do not add water.
- Close with a lid and cook for 5 to 7 minutes over low flame. Mix every 2 min to prevent the masala from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Add the panner cubes, chopped coriander leaves and mix well.
- At this stage if the gravy is very thick, add 3-4 tbsp water.
- Cook for 5 mins over low flame till the paneer gets coated with the masala paste and the flavor merges well.
- Chettinad paneer pirattal is ready.
- Serve hot with phulkas or chapthis.
Yummy and spicy looking side dish…
nice recipe
Panner chettinad sounds delish…this is very interesting twist…gonna try them soon.
Another chettinad delight – Wah! Love it dear 🙂
I am hungry now looking at your dish..looks yummy!
pirattal looks yum-with rotis must tatse divine !
wow this curry looks so delicious !!
Slurp,salivating curry..looks truly wonderful and irresistible..
I have never tried paneer with chettinad masala. Looks nice.
Wow, it’s a colourful curry! I’d like to empty the bowl right away!
Looks to yummy!!! I love spicy chettinad dishes..
Prathima Rao
Prats Corner
I love chettinad flavors, it’s mouthwatering! I do have a chettinad fish curry in my blog, one of my best fish recipes. But, I’ve never done chettinad with veggies- thanks to you, I have plenty to choose from!
Paneer in Chettinad style…Wow..Looks yummy…will definitely try…
thats an yummy and flavourful curry. quite interesting recipe
Love this chettinad Paneer Piratal…Luks delicious,yummy!
sooo colourful n delicious…
love paneer recipes..this looks so tempting
Paneer with chettinad flavor-delicious.
Loved the grinding part very much,sure would be very nice and flavorful!
wow…very innovative n interesting recipe…keep the mouthwatering chetinad cuisine coming..:)
very tempting looking paneer curry. Perfect with chapati.
Have shared few awards with you, please accept these
Deepa
Looks delicious dear!!!
I am happy following you…
very yummy n perfect pls give me the plate..