'Shahi Paneer' gravy is very rich and creamy and made with cottage cheese. It is a popular dish in most North Indian restaurants. This is also served on special occasions and celebrations. The word 'Shahi ' means royal and 'paneer' is cottage cheese. This recipe is said to be part of Mughal cuisine. It most probably derived its name from its rich ingredients like nuts, and cream which befitted serving the royals.
Why you will love Shahi Paneer?
Shahi Paneer gravy is a delicious and aromatic gravy that is flavorful with all the cream, milk, nuts, and saffron in it. It goes well with Rotis, naan, and rice. Paneer is usually loved by kids and this recipe is a nice change from the regular paneer dishes like butter paneer, and palak paneer. When you are in the mood to indulge, do try this dish, you will absolutely love it. Please read on for the recipe.
Ingredients for Shahi Paneer
- Onion prefer white onion chopped into big pieces
- Nuts - Almonds Peel the skin after boiling, Cashews
- Garlic podsGinger
- Yogurt whipped well
- Spices - Coriander powder, Kashmiri chilly powder, turmeric (reduce if you want a whitish look to the gravy), cardamom powder, garam masala (how to make garam masala)
- Whole spices - bay leaf, cloves, green cardamoms, black cardamom, cinnamon, shahi jeera
- Paneer cut into small cubes or triangles
- Ghee or oil
How to make Shahi Paneer Gravy?
We start by boiling the onions, peeling the almond skins, and grinding all of them into a fine paste. Heat oil or ghee, add the whole spices and the ground paste, and cook until it leaves oil from the sides. Next, add the spiced powders, salt, and sugar. Add in the yogurt and stir well, followed by milk or cream. When it simmers, add paneer and mix well and a few crushed saffron strands.
Shahi Paneer
Ingredients
To Boil
- 1 onion prefer white onion chopped into big pieces
- 8-10 almonds remove skin after boiling
- 8-10 cashews
- 3-4 garlic
- 1 inch ginger
- 2 cups water
Other ingredients
- 1 pinch saffron
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- 1 tsp sugar or to taste
- ½ cup yogurt whipped well
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp chilli powder
- ¼ tsp turmeric reduce if you want a whitish look to the gravy
- ¼ tsp cardamom powder
- ¼ tsp garam masala
Whole spices
- 1 bay leaf
- 2-3 cloves
- 2-3 green cardamoms
- 1 black cardamom
- 1 inch cinnamon
- ½ tsp jeera shahi
- 2 tbsp ghee or oil
- 2 - 3 cups paneer chopped ,cubed or cut into triangles
Instructions
- Boil all the ingredients mentioned in the to boil section for about 10 to 15 minutes until they are soft .
- De-skin the almonds and strain the boiled contents into a bowl .Let it cool
- Grind the contents to a fine paste
- Heat oil or ghee and add the whole spices
- Add the ground paste and cook until it leaves oil from the sides
- Add the spiced powders ,salt and sugar
- slowly add in the yogurt and stir continuously
- Add milk or cream and incorporate well
- Add paneer and mix well
- Add crushed saffron strands
- Simmer for a while .
- Shahi paneer is ready to be enjoyed with white rice or rotis
Nutrition
If you enjoyed this dish, you may also love other paneer dishes that I have posted Tikka Masala Paneer, Palak Paneer Curry, and Paneer Tikka Masala Restaurant Style.
Oh yum, Nisha!! I must admit, I'm a sucker for rich, creamy textures. I'm completely unfamiliar with Shahi Paneer until now. Is the cheese flavor very noticeable? Every now and then I definitely like a cheesy indulgence. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this yummy recipe. I've shared it on Pinterest. ♥
Wonderful to know ! Yes this dish is rich and creamy .The cheese or paneer that is used in this dish has a very mild and milky flavor along with a a dense crumbly texture. It goes well with strong spicy flavors as well .Thank you so much for sharing this recipe and your wonderful comments.Appreciate it!
It was perfect the first time. This is very really unique helpful information. I learn so much from you as well! Keep it up.
Thank you so much for the kind comments!
Shahi Paneer is always a hit at parties. I love your step by step recipe!
Thank you Sandhya , yes it is liked by most people at get togethers .
What a delicious curry! Rich & creamy shahi paneer is ideal for children's birthday parties.
Thank you Megala, absolutely kids love this dish!
Looks so delicious! Love the flavors you have here, and the addition of cheese in it.
Thank you Ronit , yes the flavors of this dish are unique .