The dish shahi paneer conjures images of extravagance, decadence, and a burst of flavour. This royal meal, which has its origins in Mughlai cuisine, is highly valued in Indian kitchens. Fresh, soft paneer, or Indian cottage cheese, rich cashew-almond paste, thick cream, and aromatic spices are the traditional ingredients used to make Shahi Paneer. I will walk you through a *Traditional Shahi Paneer Recipe with a Modern Twist* in this blog post, all the while preserving the true flavour that makes it so popular.
This recipe for Shahi Paneer is ideal for any occasion, whether you want to wow your guests or just treat yourself to a sumptuous dinner. To those of you who are health-conscious or seeking a speedier version without sacrificing flavour, the contemporary tweak gives an already amazing dish a well-rounded approach.
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Why Shahi Paneer?
“Royal cottage cheese,” or Shahi Paneer, is not your average paneer meal. It is frequently served at formal events like weddings, festivals, and family get-togethers and represents grandeur. It has delicate notes of cardamom, saffron, and ghee and is rich and creamy. It’s genuinely distinctive because to its rich cream and nut gravy.
Indian cooking is constantly changing, and many contemporary chefs and amateur cooks have thrown their own spin on this age-old dish, adding new ingredients or cooking methods to make it lighter, easier, or even more colourful. I’ll show you how to update Shahi Paneer without sacrificing its classic appeal with this dish.
Traditional Shahi Paneer Recipe: Key Ingredients
For the Gravy:
200g paneer (Indian cottage cheese), cubed
– 1 large onion, finely chopped
– 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
– 1/2 cup yogurt (dahi)
– 1/2 cup fresh cream (malai)
– 1/4 cup cashews
– 10 almonds
– 2 green cardamoms
– 1 black cardamom
– 1 bay leaf
– 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
– 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
– 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
– 1 teaspoon red chili powder
– 1 tablespoon ghee
– 1 tablespoon butter
-2 -3 saffron threads steeped in heated milk
-Salt to taste
– Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
For the Contemporary Twist:
– 1 tablespoon olive oil (for a healthier alternative to ghee)
– 1 tablespoon low-fat Greek yogurt (instead of full-fat cream)
– 1/4 cup coconut milk (optional, for extra creaminess)
– 1 teaspoon honey (for a subtle sweetness)
– As a garnish, roasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds
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Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Nut Paste
1. **Soak Almonds and Cashews:**
To begin, let the almonds and cashews soak in warm water for around half an hour. After they get tender, remove the water and blend them into a silky paste. This is necessary to make the gravy for Shahi Paneer rich and creamy.
2.Contemporary Twist:
While the nuts are grinding, add a spoonful of coconut milk. This will counterbalance the richness of the traditional meal by giving the gravy a lighter, slightly tropical flavour.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
1. Heat the butter and ghee together in a heavy-based pan. Add the cardamoms, bay leaf, and cumin seeds. Allow them to sputter briefly till they become aromatic.
2. Include the chopped onions and cook until they start to take on a golden brown hue. The ginger-garlic paste should then be added and cooked until the raw smell is gone.
3. Current Angle:
For a healthy variation, use half olive oil and half ghee. With this blend, you can cut calories without sacrificing real flavour.
Step 3: Build the Gravy
1. Stir in the cashew-almond paste, red chilli powder, and turmeric powder. This combination should be sautéed until the oil separates from the pan’s sides.
2. Reduce the heat now and gradually add the whipped yoghurt. Stir constantly so as not to cause curdling.
3. Add the saffron-infused milk, garam spice, and salt to taste. This is the source of the Shahi Paneer’s opulent golden colour and regal fragrance.
4. Simmer the gravy for approximately five minutes on low heat. To make sure it doesn’t stick to the pan’s bottom, stir from time to time.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
1. To thicken the gravy, finally mix in the fresh cream or, for a lighter version, low-fat Greek yoghurt.
2. For an extra crunch, garnish with roasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds. This inventive addition gives the dish a contemporary feel while also adding texture.
3. Top with freshly chopped cilantro and serve hot *Traditional Shahi Paneer with a Modern Twist* over steaming basmati rice, roti, or naan.
Healthier Modern Twist
You may alter the classic Shahi Paneer meal to make it healthier, even though it’s a rich and decadent dish. Reduce the calorie count without sacrificing flavour by using low-fat Greek yoghurt, coconut milk, and olive oil in place of ghee. The garnish of toasted seeds offers extra nutrition in addition to crunch.
Serving Suggestions
The ideal accompaniment for Shahi Paneer is
★Butter Nan: A tenser , buttery flatbread that ideal absorbs the velvety sauce.
★Jeera Rice:The creamy Shahi Paneer pairs well with a mildly spicy cumin rice.
★Roomali Roti: This delicate, thin bread elevates any royal feast. **Salad and Pickles:** Spicy Indian pickles and fresh salads with cucumber, onions, and tomatoes counterbalance the dish’s richness.
FAQs about Shahi Paneer
1.Is it possible to use store-bought paneer in this recipe?
Yes, paneer from the grocery works great in this dish. If you have the time, though, homemade paneer will give the dish a more vibrant flavour and softer texture.
2. Is it feasible to veganize this dish?
It is possible to prepare a vegan version of Shahi Paneer by using tofu in place of paneer, coconut milk in place of cream, and cashew yoghurt, which is dairy-free, in place of yoghurt.
3. What can I use in the gravy in place of cashews?
If you’re allergic to nuts, you can replace the cashews and almonds with sunflower or even poppy seeds. There will be a small change in flavour, but the creaminess will not go away.
4.Can I make Shahi Paneer ahead of time?
Sure, you may make the gravy the day before and keep it in the fridge. To keep the paneer cubes soft and fresh, add them right before serving.
5. How hot should I cook this dish?
Increase the quantity of red chilli powder or add finely chopped green chillies for a spicier version. To suit your taste, change the amount of spice.
Conclusion
We talked about the fun process of creating *Shahi Paneer*, a traditional Mughlai dish, with contemporary methods and healthier substitutions in our blog article. We changed the classic recipe without sacrificing its true flavours, from making a rich nut paste to adding coconut milk and olive oil. This is a really adaptable recipe that goes well with almost any kind of side dish. You may serve a magnificent lunch to your visitors and wow them at home by making this recipe.
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It’s now your chance to taste this *Modern Take on a Traditional Shahi Paneer*! Assemble your ingredients, then post your recipes in the comments section below. Remember to subscribe to IndianRecipeMela.com to receive more delectable recipes and culinary advice!