We are ever so grateful to the Mughals and the Mughal era to gift us Mughlai food that symbolises royalty by the way of its sumptuous food. All Mughlai foods have a certain depth and richness to them that we just can't get enough of. Mughlai biryani, Mughlai meat curry, Mughlai kebabs - all these meals get our attention up and tongues rolling. But, why do we always associate Mughlai food with meats? There are many Mughlai vegetarian dishes that are equally enticing; and talking of vegetarian food, paneer comes to the mind first, and shahi paneer tops our favourites' list.
Mughlai shahi paneer is one vegetarian dish that you must try for an exotic meal if you love shahi paneer already. Unlike most of the paneer dishes, paneer is cooked in a creamy white gravy with lots of flavours from spices, lusciousness from cashews and aroma from saffron (kesar). And, it's so easy to make you'll wonder why you didn't ever make it before!
(Also Read: How To Make Mughlai Chicken Pulao At Home)
Paneer is one of the most preferred foods for a vegetarian meal.
Mughlai shahi paneer recipe -
Ingredients -
1 onion, chopped
200 grams paneer, cubed
1/4 cup cashews
1/4 cup curd
1/4 cup cream
2 green chillies
2 green elaichi (cardamom), crushed
Tbsp. ginger garlic paste
Half tsp jeera (cumin)
Half tsp garam masala
Few strands of saffron, soaked in water
1 tbsp kasuri methi, crushed
Salt to taste
Method -
Step 1 - Soak cahsews in warm water for about 15 minutes till they turn soft.
Step 2 - Put cashews, chopped onions and green chillies in a blender and make onion paste.
Step 3 - In a pan, heat ghee, add jeera, and when it turns colour add ginger garlic paste and crushed elaichi and saute for a minute.
Step 4 - Add onion paste and let it cook till it turns into brown dry paste.
Step 5 - Add yogurt and salt, and stir for a minute.
Step 6 - Now, add saffron water and cream and let it boil for few minutes.
Step 7 - Add cubes paneer, garam masala powder, crushed kasuri methi, mix well and let it simmer for another minute. Garnish it with some roasted cashews and serve hot.
This all-new version of creamy paneer dish will win you and your family, especially the kids. So, next time your family demands to eat shahi paneer, surprise them with Mughlai shahi paneer.