If there is one dish that holds an essential place in every regional cuisine across India, it is paneer. almost every state has its own version of paneer recipe with rice, roti, bread and more. Now it seems that paneer has made the world crazy too. Taste AtlasTravel and food guide platform, has recently released its list of ’50 Best Paneer Dishes in the World’. And you guessed it right; Paneer (cottage cheese) is featured prominently in the list! In fact, the delicious Shahi Paneer has proudly come in at number three, followed by Paneer Tikka on the fourth.
Read also: Shahi paneer, keema in list of world’s best stews and curries
About Shahi Paneer: History and Origin of Shahi Paneer:
Rich, creamy and full of flavour, Shahi Paneer is one of the most loved paneer dishes across India. He is not everything. Even find Indian restaurants abroad Shahi Paneer As one of the most popular dishes on their menu. According to Taste Atlas, the dish finds its roots in the Mughal kitchens in India; And hence, it is also called ‘Royal Paneer’ or ‘Mughlai Paneer’.
A quintessential shahi paneer recipe consists of soft and juicy paneer cubes, which are immersed in a gravy made of tomatoes, cream and some basic kitchen spices. The dish is then garnished with coriander leaves and served with Indian breads such as naan, roti or puri.
Read also: Indian Cooking Tip: How To Make Restaurant-Style Paneer Khurchan
Shahi Paneer vs Paneer Makhani: What is the difference between the two?
The dish can often be confused with paneer makhani, given the ingredients used to prepare shahi paneer. While we agree that both the cuisines have some basic similarities, but if you delve deeper, you will find some important features that make them different from each other. Let us look into some of the major differences between Shahi Paneer and Paneer Makhani,
Component:
The major difference between the two is in the ingredients. According to Chef Kunal Kapoor, both paneer makhani and shahi paneer belong to the same category of food. But it is the ratio of the ingredients that makes one different from the other. While shahi paneer contains tomato and onion in the ratio of 2:1, paneer makhani contains it in the ratio of 1:1.
Texture:
The word ‘Makhni’ is derived from ‘Makhan’, which means butter. The use of butter in paneer makhani makes the dish more creamy than shahi paneer. On the other hand, shahi paneer is lighter and has gravy.
Taste:
Tomato plays a major role in shahi paneer recipe, making it slightly sweeter than paneer makhani. While, paneer makhani is spicy, ingredients like red chillies, ginger and garlic have been used in it.
How to thicken shahi paneer gravy?
Everyone has a unique palate. hence, we all believe in customizing each and every recipe as per our liking. If you like your shahi paneer gravy thick and creamy, here are some easy tips that you can follow.
Tip 1: Adjust the Water:
You can add less water to make the gravy thicker. In fact, keep the dish on medium to low heat and keep stirring it in between, till you get the right consistency.
Tip 2: Add Almonds or Melon Seeds:
This is probably one of the easiest ways to thicken your gravy. Add a spoonful of almond or melon seed paste while making the gravy. Always remember to add paste before adding water. This will help enhance the flavor of the dish.
Tip 3: Add Corn-Starch:
Add one tablespoon of cornstarch to one cup of water and mix well until the grains dissolve. Put your dish in it while cooking. You can also replace corn-starch with arrowroot powder.
Shahi Paneer Recipe: How To Make Shahi Paneer At Home:
Now that you’ve got the ideas, how can you whip up a portion of shahi paneer for your next meal? Sounds like a perfect plan? Here, we bring you a quick and easy recipe that will help you make restaurant-style shahi paneer at home.
All you need to do is get fresh cubes of paneer, some watermelon seeds and some basic kitchen spices. Then prepare a delicious gravy with the ingredients, add paneer to it and finally garnish with coriander leaves. serve hot. Click here for detailed recipe.
Enjoy your food!