Cauliflower Paneer Masala

Here is a side dish that is my own creation. I have not had this anywhere before and have not even made this before.

This was a result of too much confusion in my head as to what to make. Quick story behind this discovery is as follows -

My cousin and his family were coming to dinner. I kind of quickly thought about the menu and decided that I will make a paneer based sabji kind of like Paneer butter masala and then Aloo Gobhi with Chappathi, Pulav and raitha. So, that morning as soon as I woke up, I made fresh Paneer for the evening. Then, by afternoon for some other reason I peeked into my freezer and saw the frozen pastry sheets. All of a sudden, I decided that I will make Aloo puff pastries. And I just had to do that. Doing that means canceling out my Aloo Gobhi. Ok. No problems. But, well if I cancel Aloo Gobhi - what other dry subji can I make? Hmm..check inside the veggie drawer of the fridge - nothing much impressive. Well...ok...let me make a cauliflower kurma maybe -but how will I use paneer? Oh No..I cannot have two gravies. I need one dry subji! Well.. I also need something lite kind of like a daal..and then quickly I pressure cooked some masoor daal. So, now I don't have much options. I got only cauliflower as a decent veggie to cook and I also have my fresh paneer made for the evening.

And that, people, is how this Cauliflower Paneer Masala was born.

Just thinking about the whole process hurts my head!

Anyways, I have to tell you all..actually urge you all to try this sometime. The pictures are not even close to how great it tastes. Really. This tastes really good and please do try it once.

To begin with, saute and cook these things below -

1 tsp jeera
1 tsp coriander seeds
2-3 green chillies
1 inch ginger chopped
3 garlic pods chopped
1-2 onions chopped
3-4 tomatoes chopped.

Basically add them in the order above and cook for some time till well done.

Grind the masala to a smooth paste and set aside for now.

In a pan, add about 1tbsp of oil. Add the cauliflower pieces in here and cook for a min.

Add salt, tumeric powder, red chilli powder and any other masala you prefer. I add a little bit of everything from my masala dabba - including garam masala, pav bhaji masala, rajma masala etc.. Add Kasuri methi if you have.

Mix well with the cauliflower.

Add the ground tomato masala now and simmer down the heat. Put a splatter screen on top and let it just cook.


While that is cooking, fry about 1-2 cups of paneer pieces in 2 tsp of ghee. Here's my fresh homemade paneer. Here's the recipe to make homemade paneer if you like.

Check back the cauliflower now. You can see that most of the gravy has evaporated and the veggies are coming together nicely.


When the cauliflower is almost done, add the paneer in here and let it cook just for a couple of mins. Keep in mind not to overcook the cauliflower. That will make it all mushy and that's not too good.

There, mixing it well.
Switch off the stove and add fresh chopped cilantro in here.
You're done. Now, sit back and relax and eat this with chappathis or rice.

Enjoy!
Peace out!