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Best Paneer Malai

The key to any Indian dish is the sauce. The sauce adds all the depth of flavor. My Best Paneer Malai has texture and great flavor.

Course dinner, Indian food
Cuisine Gluten free, Indian Food, Indian Recipe
Keyword cheese, dinner, gluten free, Indian recipes, paneer
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6 people
Author Feed Your Soul Too

Ingredients

  • 1 Package Paneer
  • 1 Whole Yellow onion diced
  • 3 Whole Tomatoes diced
  • 4 Cloves Garlic roughly chopped
  • 2 whole Cloves
  • 4 Inches Cinnamon
  • 2 Whole Thai chilies diced
  • 3 Inches Fresh ginger grated
  • 1 Cup Cashews soaked
  • 1 Cup Red Lentils
  • 1/2 Whole Lemon juiced
  • 1 Bag Spinach
  • 14 Ounces Coconut milk
  • 2 Tbsp Coconut oil
  • 2 Pods Green Cardamon
  • 2 Tsp Turmeric
  • 2 Tsp Cumin seeds
  • 1 Tsp Garam masala
  • 2 Tsp Chili powder
  • 1 Tsp Salt
  • 1 Bunch Cilantro rough chopped

Instructions

  1. Begin by melting 1 tbsp of the cocounut oil in a wok. Once melted, add the paneer and brown a top and bottom (I know there is not really a top and bottom - but there is a flat side). Cook in batches, and when complete, remove from pan and set aside.

    Meanwhile, cook the lentils according to the box instructions. Set aside.

    Make the Gravy. Add the cinnamon sticks to spice grinder and break up into small pieces. Then add the green cardamom pods, cloves, and cumin seeds and break up a bit more. You don’t need to fully grind them, just a little to start releasing their oils.

    Add the remaining coconut oil and once melted, add the ground spices and cook for about 1 minute. Add the onions and sweat for 4 - 5 minutes. Next, add in the green chilies, garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute. Now add the diced tomatoes and cook down for 2 - 3 minutes. Add the cashews and the salt. Simmer for 15 minutes until the liquid is mostly cooked out.

    Add this mixture to a blender, and blend until smooth. Add the lemon juice and coconut milk and blend well. Add the mixture back to the wok. Simmer for 5 - 10 minutes. Add in the remaining spices and simmer for 2 minutes. Now add in the spinach and wilt for 1 - 2 minutes. Follow by adding in the cooked lentils and stirring well. Next, add back in the paneer and mix. Simmer for 1 minute to re-warm the paneer. Finish by adding the cilantro.

    Serve with white rice. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Adapted from Rainbow Plant Life - httpss://rainbowplantlife.com/restaurant-style-vegan-malai-kofta/#wprm-recipe-container-5655