Chilli Paneer is a popular Indo-Chinese dish that features cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) in a spicy and tangy sauce. It’s a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer or a main course with fried rice or noodles.
Chilli Paneer Recipe
Chilli Paneer is a beloved Indo-Chinese dish that marries the flavors of Indian paneer (cottage cheese) with the bold and savory notes of Chinese cuisine. This dish is celebrated for its tender chunks of paneer, which are stir-fried with a medley of colorful bell peppers, onions, and a tangy and spicy sauce. Chilli Paneer is known for its tantalizing taste, making it a popular choice among vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.
Ingredients
For Frying the Paneer:
- 250 g Paneer cut into cubes
- 3 tablespoons Corn Flour
- 1 tablespoon All-Purpose Flour (Maida)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper Powder
- Water as needed to make a batter
- Oil for frying
For the Sauce:
- 2 teaspoon Garlic finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Ginger finely chopped
- 2 Green Chilies slit
- 1 medium Onion cubed
- 1 medium Capsicum/Bell Pepper cubed
- 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Red Chili Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Tomato Ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Corn Flour dissolved in 1/4 cup water
- Spring Onion Greens for garnish
- 2 tablespoons Oil
- to taste Salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Paneer: In a bowl, mix corn flour, all-purpose flour, salt, and black pepper. Add water gradually to make a smooth batter. Coat the paneer cubes evenly with this batter.
- Fry the Paneer: Heat oil in a pan for deep frying. Fry the paneer cubes until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In another pan, heat 2 tablespoons of oil. Add chopped garlic, ginger, and green chilies. Sauté for a minute.
- Add Vegetables: Add the onion and capsicum cubes. Stir-fry on high heat for 2-3 minutes. The vegetables should be cooked yet retain a crunch.
- Season the Sauce: Add soy sauce, red chili sauce, vinegar, and tomato ketchup. Mix well and cook for a minute.
- Thicken the Sauce: Add the dissolved corn flour mixture to the pan. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens.
- Combine with Paneer: Add the fried paneer cubes to the sauce. Toss everything well so that the paneer is coated with the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with spring onion greens. Serve hot as an appetizer or with fried rice or noodles.
Tips and Information
Conclusion:
Chilli Paneer is a delightful and flavorful Indo-Chinese dish that showcases the fusion of culinary traditions from India and China. Its combination of tender paneer, colorful vegetables, and a tangy-spicy sauce creates a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that is enjoyed by people with varying taste preferences. Whether relished as an appetizer, main course, or accompaniment, Chilli Paneer continues to be a beloved and flavorful culinary offering that captures the essence of Indo-Chinese cuisine.Tips and Overview
- Paneer Preparation: Ensure the paneer is fresh for the best taste. If it’s hard, you can soak it in warm water for a few minutes.
- Batter Consistency: The batter should coat the paneer cubes well but not be too thick.
- Frying Paneer: Fry the paneer on medium heat to ensure it’s crisp and golden without burning.
- Sauce Flavoring: Adjust the amount of soy sauce, red chili sauce, and vinegar according to your taste preference.
- Vegetable Crunch: Quickly stir-frying the vegetables at high heat helps retain their crunch and freshness.
- Serving Suggestions: Chilli Paneer can be enjoyed as a standalone dish or paired with other Indo-Chinese dishes like fried rice or noodles.