Garlic Paneer is one of the most delicious and well-liked dishes from the vegetarian dishes. You can make it dry, in gravy, or without too much gravy. To make it, we need soft paneer combined with the pungent, aromatic flavor of garlic to make a mouth-watering dish. This dish is known for its rich flavor, with garlic providing a special flavor that enhances the mild flavor of paneer.
Equally popular in Indian households and restaurants, garlic paneer is not only eaten as a main dish but also served as an appetizer or side dish. It is easy to make. It is a delicious option that appeals to both vegetarians and those who love spicy, savory dishes.
Why Garlic Paneer Stands Out In Indian Cuisine
1 Garlic Paneer- The bold, delicious flavors of garlic pair well with the creamy, soft texture of paneer. This pairing is perfect as the garlicky flavor enhances the subtle flavor of the paneer, creating a dish that is both delicious and comforting, but not heavy.
2 Versatile Recipes – Garlic paneer is incredibly versatile. It can be made into a gravy, made into a smoothie without too much gravy, or grilled as an appetizer. Its adaptability makes it a favorite in a variety of Indian meals, from simple homemade dinners to elaborate restaurant dishes.
3. Rich in nutrients – Paneer is rich in protein and calcium, making garlic paneer nutritious. Pairing it with garlic, which is known for its health benefits like boosting immunity and aiding digestion, makes for a dish that is not only delicious but also good for you.
4 Easy to Make – Garlic paneer is quite easy to make, even for beginners. Whether it’s a quick stir-fry or a slow-simmered curry, it doesn’t require a lot of ingredients or complicated techniques, making it accessible to a wide variety of home cooks.
5 Popular Vegetarian Options – In a country where vegetarian food is widely consumed, garlic paneer offers a satisfying alternative to meat-based dishes. It is a filling and delicious meal and can be enjoyed by both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.
6 Loved by People of All Ages – The light, creamy texture of paneer combined with the flavor of garlic makes it loved by people of all age groups. Be it a family dinner or any festival, garlic paneer is a favorite.
Prep Time:15Mins Cook Time:25Mins Resting Time:35Mins Total Time:1Hour15Mins
Serving:5 Author-Kavita
Needed Ingredients
For Marination
1 1 cup curd, thick
2 1 tbsp chili powder
3 1 1-inch turmeric powder
4 1/2 tsp garam masala
5 1tbsp garlic paste
6 1/2 tsp salt
7 1 tbsp kasuri methi
8 250g paneer
FOR ONION TOMATO PASTE
1 2 tbsp oil
2 5 cardamon
3 1 Inch cinnamon
4 4 cloves
5 4 black pepper
6 1 onion chopped
7 4 clove garlic
8 1 Inch ginger
9 1 large tomato chopped
10 10 cashew
CURRY
1 1 cube better
2 2 tbsp oil
3 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
4 1 onion finely chopped
5 1 tsp red chili powder
6 1/2 tsp coriander powder
7 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
8 salt to taste
9 2 tbsp fresh cream (optional for creamy texture)
10 fresh coriander leaves
TEMPERING
1 1 tbsp oil
2 4 clove garlic finely chopped
3 1/2 tsp Kashmir red chili powder
How To Make Garlic Paneer
1 Prepare the marinate base
Take some thick yogurt (or Greek yogurt for a creamier texture) in a mixing bowl. This will serve as the base for the marinade. If you avoid dairy, you can use plant-based yogurt instead.
2 Add spices – Common spices include Turmeric powder for color and Red chili powder for pungency Adjust the amount depending on how spicy you want it Coriander powder for a touch of tang Garam masala for a blend of deep aromatic flavors Salt to taste Add ginger garlic paste to enhance the taste.
Add a little oil or ghee to the marinade. This helps to coat the paneer well and prevents it from sticking to the pan while cooking.
Mix everything well so that the spices get mixed evenly in the curd.
Marinate the paneer Add the paneer pieces to the marinade. Stir them gently so that each piece gets evenly coated with the mixture. Be careful to avoid breaking the paneer as it is soft and delicate.
4 Let it rest – Refrigerate the marinated paneer for at least 30 minutes. You can also marinate it for longer for a deeper flavor. The longer it rests the more the paneer will absorb all the wonderful flavours.
Onion tomato paste preparation
First of all, put two spoons of oil in a pan and add cinnamon, green cardamom, cloves, black pepper, garlic, ginger. Let them crackle well so that the spices can release their fragrance.
2 Now add a big onion sliced into it, fry the onion till it changes color
3 Now add one tomato sliced into slices and 10 cashews. And let them cook well too.
4 Cook till the tomatoes turn soft and oil separates.
5 Once it is cooked, let it cool completely and then put it in the mixer jar.
6 Make a smooth paste by adding water as required.
Preparing the curry – First of all, take a heavy-bottomed pan, add 1 tsp ghee and 2 tsp oil, and heat it. Add 1 tsp cumin seeds and let them crackle well.
2 Add 1 finely chopped onion and sauté it until golden brown.
3. Fry the onions well. Keep the gas on low flame, add chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, garam masala, salt as per taste and stir well.
4 Now add the onion-tomato paste that we had prepared and mix well.
5 Mix the paste well.
6 Add some water, cover the pan and cook until the paste separates well from the oil.
7 Now add the marinated paneer and mix well.
8 Now add water as required and cook the paneer on low flame so that the paneer is saved from burning and the flavours get mixed well.
9 Cover the pan and let it cook on medium flame for 5 minutes so that the oil can separate.
After 5 minutes, add 1 spoon of fresh cream and finely chopped coriander leaves. Stir well.
Tempering – Tempering garlic in oil is a great way to infuse the flavor of garlic into your dish. Simply heat some oil over low heat and add garlic slices.
Let it fry slowly for a few minutes until the oil absorbs the flavor of the garlic. When the garlic turns golden brown, add half a teaspoon of Kashmir red chili powder and mix well.
Finally, pour the seasoning over the curry, then if you want you can remove the garlic. Pour the seasoning over the curry and garlic paneer curry is ready.
How to avoid cooking garlic paneer
1 Use fresh paneer – Fresh paneer has a soft creamy texture, making it perfect for cooking. If the paneer is old or stale, it becomes hard and rubbery. To prevent this, always use fresh paneer or make your own at home for best results.
2 Do not overcook paneer: Paneer can become tough to chew if cooked for too long. If you are adding it to a curry or gravy, cook it on low flame instead of cooking it for a long time.
3 Balance the flavour of garlic: Too much garlic can overpower the dish, while too little garlic will not give you that rich garlic flavour. Use the right amount of garlic depending on your preference and the amount of paneer you are using.
4 Marinate paneer properly: Marinating paneer in garlic, yogurt and spices before cooking enhances its flavour. Soak paneer in the marinade for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavours to penetrate deep into the paneer, making it delicious.
5 Use the right pan: A non-stick pan or a well-seasoned pan works best for cooking paneer. This prevents the paneer from sticking and ensures that the paneer cooks evenly.
Serving suggestion
1 As a Starter: Serve garlic paneer hot as an appetizer at the beginning of your meal. Arrange the paneer pieces nicely on a plate and garnish them with fresh coriander leaves. Add some lemon wedges on the side to give it a fresh tangy flavor.
2 With Bread: Garlic paneer goes great with Indian bread like naan, roti, or paratha. Serve it with these breads so that people can enjoy the delicious bite of paneer.
3 With Rice: Serve garlic paneer with steamed rice or jeera rice and another way the mildly aromatic rice balances the richness of the paneer.
4 With Dips: Garlic paneer can also be served with a variety of dips or chutneys like mint chutney, tamarind chutney.
Conclusion
Garlic Paneer is a dish that can be enjoyed all year round. Its warm and comforting flavor makes it perfect for those cold winter nights, while its light and fresh ingredients make it fun during the summer. Whatever the season, Garlic Paneer is a must-try recipe that brings together bold flavors, health benefits, and deliciousness in one dish. It is easy to make, customizable, and perfect for any occasion.
Nutrition facts
Per serving (based on a1-cup serving size, about 150-180 grams):
Calories: 320–350 kcal
Protein:18–22 grams
Fat: 22-25grams
Saturated:12-15 grams
Carbohydrates:10-12 grams
Fiber: 1-2 grams
Sugar: 3-5 grams
Cholesterol: 60-80 mg
Sodium: 600-700 mg
Calcium: 40-45% of daily recommended intake
(Depending on the panner used)
Vitamin C: 15-20% of the daily recommended intake (due to garlic)