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Paneer Tawa Masala | Easy Paneer Recipes

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paneer tawa masala recipe

Paneer Tawa Masala recipe with step by step photos. Marinated,grilled paneer cubes cooked in a tangy spicy tomato based sauce that can be served with rotis, naans and phulkas.

This paneer tawa masala is a very rich punjabi side dish made with soft and succulent paneer cubes, marinated in spics and milk and cream are used to enrich the gravy makes it apt for parties and special occasions.

The marinated, grilled paneer cubes were such a delight to pop into the mouth and that alone will make a perfect appetizer and the kids will love it as finger food.

This month’s Blog Hop Wednesdays is very special as it marks its First anniversary. It had been an enjoyable ride this past year which I would never have missed it for my life time for all the things that I learned and which helped me to better myself in return.

My partner for this month is Anusha, who also happens to be my partner in crime, if I may say so. Since my boys love paneer very much, it was not a hard decision to choose and this paneer tawa masala was a unanimous choice by my kids.

paneer tawa masala

The marinated, grilled paneer cubes were such a delight to pop into the mouth and that alone will make a perfect appetizer.

I have grilled the paneer cubes in the oven. But you can also use your grill plates of your sandwich maker, if you have one to grill or use a grill pan or a plain griddle (tawa) to do it on stove top.

The more the paneer cubes marinates, the better it will taste. You can also do the marinade ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Just thaw the cubes before you grill.

Step by Step recipe for paneer tawa masala:

paneer tawa masala step-1

1. In a mixing bowl, take chaat masala  powder, 1/2 tsp red chili powder, 1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste, a pinch of salt and crushed kasuri methi.

2. Cut the paneer into cubes and add it to the mixing bowl. Add 1/2 tsp oil and mix well with your finger tips till the paneer cubes are coated well with the spices. Let it rest for one hour.

paneer tawa masala step-2

3. After an hour, spread the marinated paneer cubes on a greased foil paper and grill in the oven till done. It will take just 4-5 minutes. The cubes may appear a bit soft but by the time you get the gravy done it will become firm. You may also use your sandwich maker with grill plates to grill or shallow fry the cubes on a griddle (tawa). Keep aside.

4. Heat a pan with remaining oil and butter. Add ajwain, shah jeera and let it crackle.

paneer tawa masala step-3

5. Add finely chopped onions and sauté till light pink.

6. Add ginger garlic paste and sauté over low flame till the onion becomes light brown in color. Keep stirring to prevent sticking to the pan.

paneer tawa masala step-4

7. Add coriander powder, red chili powder, minced green chilies and mix well.

8. Sauté till the mixture becomes dry absorbing all the oil.

paneer tawa masala step-5

9. Puree the tomatoes, add to the pan and mix well.

10. Close partially with a lid and cook over medium flame, till the raw smell disappears and the oil separates and starts to float on top.

paneer tawa masala step-6

11. Add water, milk (if using), cream, garam masala powder, salt and mix well. Close with a lid and let it come to a boil. Simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Take off fire and keep aside.

12. Add these grilled paneer cubes to the gravy and mix well. If the gravy appears too thick add enough warm milk or water to get the required consistency and mix well.

tawa paneer recipe

Paneer tawa masala is ready. Garnish with kasuri methi and serve piping hot with naan or rotis.

You can also check out other easy paneer recipes like Paneer Jalfrezi, 15 mins paneer butter masala, chili paneer, Dal paneer masala and Kadai Paneer.

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Print Recipe

Paneer Tawa Masala

A rich punjabi side dish with marinated grilled paneer cubes simmered in a tomato gravy to serve with flat breads.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Resting Time1 hr
Total Time1 hr 45 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Radhika

Ingredients:

  • Paneer - 200 gms cubed
  • Onion - 1 big
  • Tomato – 4 to 5
  • Ginger Garlic paste – 1 tbsp
  • Green Chillies – 2
  • Red chilli powder – 1 tsp
  • Coriander powder – 2 tsp
  • Chaat masala powder – 1 tsp
  • Garam masala powder – 1/2 tsp
  • Ajwain / Bishops weed - 1/2 tsp
  • Shahjeera / Caraway seeds - 2 pinch
  • Kasuri methi - 1 tbsp
  • Fresh cream – 2 tbsp
  • Water -1/4 cup
  • Milk – 1/4 cup optional
  • Salt – to taste
  • Butter – ½ tbsp
  • Oil – 2 tbsp

Instructions:

To Grill Paneer:

  • In a mixing bowl, take chaat masala powder, 1/2 tsp red chili powder, 1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste, a pinch of salt and crushed kasuri methi.
  • Add the cubed paneer and 1/2 tsp oil to the mixing bowl.
  • Mix well with your finger tips till the paneer cubes are coated well with the spices.
  • Close with lid and let it rest for one hour.
  • After an hour, spread the marinated paneer cubes on a greased foil paper and grill in the oven till done. It will take just 4-5 minutes.
  • The cubes may appear a bit soft but by the time you get the gravy done it will become firm.
  • You may also use your sandwich maker with grill plates to grill or shallow fry the cubes on a griddle (tawa). Keep aside.

For the Gravy:

  • Heat a pan with remaining oil and butter.
  • Add ajwain, shah jeera and let it crackle.
  • Add finely chopped onions and sauté till light pink.
  • Add ginger garlic paste and sauté over low flame till the onion becomes light brown in color.
  • Keep stirring to prevent sticking to the pan.
  • Add coriander powder, red chili powder, mined green chilies and mix well.
  • Sauté till the mixture becomes dry absorbing all the oil.
  • Puree the tomatoes, add it to the pan and mix well.
  • Close partially with a lid and cook over medium flame, till the raw smell disappears and the oil separates and starts to float on top.
  • Add water, milk (if using), cream, garam masala powder, salt and mix well.
  • Close with a lid and let it come to a boil. Simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Take off fire and keep aside.
  • Add these grilled paneer cubes to the gravy and mix well.
  • If the gravy appears too thick add enough warm milk or water to get the required consistency and mix well.
  • Paneer tawa masala is ready.
  • Garnish with kasuri methi and serve piping hot with naan or rotis.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Prathima Rao

    im salivating here..and i just had lunch!!! Damn delicious version of tawa paneer..bookmarked!! we are not so fond of ajwain too but all dont mind eating dishes to which a pinch of it is added..makes a diff in aroma..
    Prathima Rao
    Prats Corner

    Reply

  48. anusha praveen

    hey radhi!! the paneer looks delectable… and sorry i was phoneless and internet less all last week. Got the connection repaired only today.. will call you tomoro morning 🙂

    Reply

  53. aartee vivek

    I made this for my dot’s bday lunch and served it with Ghee Rice, it was a big hit and the kids loved it.I added the ajwain and my son kept munching on the paneer even before i could add it to the gravy. Its a perfect side dish for a party.
    Thank You…

    Reply

  54. aartee vivek

    Hi,I made this for my daughter’s bday lunch and everybody loved it including the kids. My son kept munching on the paneer even before I could add it to the gravy. I marinated it for a day and also added the ajwain. The burst of flavors in the dish were amazing.
    Its a perfect side dish for a party too. Thank you for sharing

    Reply

  61. Sana

    5 stars
    Was so delish…. Made today for family dinner along with garlic nan and rice. It was a blast of flavours. I did one thing wrong. I added ajwain a bit more. Even though it doesn’t affected the flavour. Was so so yummy. My family loved it. Thanks for the great recipe.

    Reply

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