Vatana Paneer Kadhi

Bhavesh
May 29
2 min read

My cousin was staying over one weekend and we were deciding on what to eat. I had a block of paneer in the fridge but did not want to make chilli paneer or paneer masala. I'm a lover of Kadhi so we decided on paneer and kadhi. I had a can of peas so we decided to use that as well. I've made this a few times now so had to share the recipe. Here is how I make Vatana Paneer Kadhi.

Ingredients:

1 block of paneer cubed - 220g

2 tbsp green peas (vatana)

3 tbsp oil

4 tbsp yogurt - 135g

1 tsp gram flour/chana no lot - 8g

1 tsp leelo masalo

1/4 tsp cumin powder

Salt to taste

1 cup water

1 tsp ghee

2 cloves

1 small piece cinnamon stick

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

A few curry leaves

Coriander leaves to garnish

Method

First step is to pan fry the paneer. This step is optional but I find frying the paneer in this recipe makes the texture better in the overall dish. Cut up the paneer into bite size pieces and pan fry in 3 tbsp of hot oil. Once the paneer becomes golden (does not have to be all sides) take out the paneer from the pan and drain the paneer on some kitchen paper.

For the Kadhi add yogurt to a bowl followed by the gram flour, leelo masalo (green chilli, ginger and garlic paste), cumin powder, salt and water.

Mix until fully combined using the help of a whisk. I'm using an electric milk frother whisk here. Whisk until you get bubbles as you want to incorporate some air into the kadhi mixture.

In a pan melt some ghee and once hot add in the cloves and cinnamon stick. As they sizzle add in the cumin seeds and once brown and fragrant add in the curry leaves. Let this sautee for 30 seconds whilst also making sure the cumin seeds don't burn. Then add in the kadhi mixture.

Heat the mixture on a medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Mix this continously as you do not want the mixture to split. This took me around 5 mintues. The kadhi is ready at this stage. It's at this stage you add in the pan fried paneer and peas/vatana.

Stir the paneer and peas into the kadhi and heat until the mixture comes to another gentle simmer. You want to make sure the paneer and peas are hot. This took me around 4 mintues. Remember to mix the mixture as it heats as you don't want the kadhi to split.