on Dec 21, 2021, Updated Nov 24, 2023

About Dahi Paneer Masala

Dahi Paneer Masala (Dahi Wala Paneer, Dahi Ka Paneer) is basically paneer cooked in a tangy and savory yogurt-based curry. This is a no onion and no garlic recipe and can be made during Navratri or other festive occasions when eating onions and garlic is prohibited in some Hindu households. This North Indian style dahi wali paneer ki sabji is very easy and quick to make and comes together in under 30 minutes using simple ingredients. It is a must-try dish if you want to eat something simple, unique yet delicious. This dahi paneer recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free. You can easily double or triple it. Here are some more paneer recipes that you may like

Kadai Paneer Paneer Lababdar Palak Paneer Bhurji Paneer Butter Masala Paneer Ghee Roast Matar Paneer Paneer Tikka Masala Methi Malai Paneer Paneer Masala Paneer Korma

Ingredients

To Fry The Paneer

Paneer – Use fresh, packaged, or frozen paneer to make this curry. Wash the paneer before using it and soak it in warm water if it is hard and chewy. You can replace paneer with boiled potatoes for a variation. Spices – You will need coriander powder, turmeric powder, salt, Kashmiri red chilli powder, garam masala powder, and cumin powder. Oil – Use vegetable oil or mustard oil to fry the paneer. Others – You will also need Kasuri methi, ginger paste, and salt.

To Make The Curry

Oil – I like to make this curry in mustard oil but feel free to use any cooking oil to make the curry. Whole Spices – A few green cardamoms (hari elaichi), cloves (laung), and cumin seeds give a lovely flavor. Slightly crush the whole spices before adding them to the oil, for a better flavor. Yogurt – Yogurt (dahi, curd) makes the base of this dahi paneer curry. Use plain yogurt (either homemade or store-bought) that is fresh. Chickpea Flour (Besan, Gram Flour) – It makes the curry cream and also prevents the yogurt from curdling while cooking. Lightly roast the flour in a pan before using it in the recipe. Spice Powders – You will need coriander powder, turmeric powder, and Kashmiri red chili powder. Cashew Nut and Melon Seeds make the curry rich and creamy and also make it slightly thicker. You can replace cashew nuts or melon seeds with almonds, or poppy seeds. Others – You will also need fresh ginger, Kasuri methi, cilantro (fresh coriander leaves), and green chilies to make dahi paneer recipe. Adjust the green chillies as per your taste.

How To Make Dahi Paneer Curry

Fry The Paneer

Cut 1 lb (500 g) paneer into 1-inch pieces and rinse them with water. Drain well and pat dry using a paper towel. Stir together

1 tablespoon mustard oil 1 teaspoon coriander powder ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder ½ teaspoon garam masala powder 1 teaspoon cumin powder 1 teaspoon Kasuri methi 2 teaspoon ginger paste ½ teaspoon salt

in a large mixing bowl. Add the paneer pieces to the bowl and coat them well with the spices. Be very gentle otherwise, the paneer may break. Heat 2 tablespoon of mustard oil in a flat skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the paneer pieces on the skillet in a single layer and shallow fry from both sides until lightly browned. Remove on a plate. Tip – If you like soft paneer, then dunk the fried paneer pieces in warm water. You can later use the water in the curry.

Make The Cashew and Melon Paste

Boil 2 cups of water in a pan over medium-high heat. Once the water comes to a rolling boil, add ¼ cup melon seeds and ¼ cup cashew nuts to the pan and cook for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and drain the water. Add the cooked cashew nuts and melon seeds to a food processor with ¼ cup of cold water and blend to make a smooth paste.

Make The Curry

Whisk

1 lb (500 g) plain yogurt 2 tablespoon roasted chickpea flour 2 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder 1 teaspoon coriander powder 1 teaspoon turmeric powder ½ teaspoon salt Cashew nut and melon paste

in a bowl. Set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon mustard oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the remaining oil from frying the paneer to the same pan. Once the oil is hot, add

1 teaspoon cumin seeds 2-3 whole green cardamoms 2-3 cloves

and let them crackle for 4-5 seconds. Add 2 teaspoon chopped green chilies and a 1-inch piece of ginger (julienned) and fry for 20-30 seconds. Reduce the heat to low. Now add the yogurt whisked with the spices to the pan. The yogurt will splatter a lot, so be very careful. Cover the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring a few times. Add 1 cup of boiling hot water and cook uncovered for 10-12 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the fried paneer cubes to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes. You can add some more water if the curry is too thick for your liking. Add 1 tablespoon Kasuri methi and 2 tablespoon chopped cilantro and cook for another minute. Check for salt and add more if required. Dahi paneer is ready. Serve it hot.

Serving Suggestions

Dahi Paneer can be served with any Indian bread such as phulka, plain tawa paratha, lachha paratha, naan, poori, etc. It also tastes great with simple steamed rice, jeera rice, or any lightly spiced pulao.

Storage Suggestions

Dahi Paneer Masala will last for a day or two in the refrigerator when stored in an air-tight container. It is also not freezer-friendly, as the yogurt will curdle while thawing.

You Might Also Like

Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 15Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 84Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 74Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 23Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 99Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 35Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 23Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 3Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 51Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 61Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 74Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 92Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 75Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 76Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 22Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 8Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 87Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 25Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 61Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 28Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 54Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 98Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 30Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 67Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 16Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 57Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 24Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 22Dahi Paneer Recipe Masala  Paneer in Yogurt Curry    Video - 45