this post is also available in ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada), and हिन्दी (Hindi)
paneer masala recipe | dhaba style paneer masala | paneer dhaba style with detailed photo and video recipe. a unique way of preparing the favourite paneer masala curry to roadside restaurants in india. dhaba restaurants is almost synonyms to punjabi cuisine and is famous for its mouthwatering roti’s and paneer recipes.
paneer masala recipe | dhaba style paneer masala | paneer dhaba style with step by step photo and video recipe. initially the dhaba’s were seen along the indian highways especially near the petrol pump serving food for the truck drivers. the food served in dhaba’s were nutritious and tasty with less fancy and easily available ingredients. paneer masala recipe is once such recipe which is prepared in typical punjabi dhaba style.
my first encounter to a dhaba style recipes or even my first ever lunch in a proper dhaba was during my annual trip to india in 2015. we had personally arranged the rajasthan and punjab trip to get the authentic culinary tour from both states. my husband was very particularly interested with punjabi dhaba and the thali’s or complete meal it had to offer. i wasn’t interested initially with the plan but half heartedly i accompanied my husband to popular dhaba road side restaurant for our lunch. however i was surprisingly happy that i joined my husband for lunch and i got the first hand experience of dhaba style recipes and especially the paneer masala recipe.
furthermore some important tips and suggestions for a perfect dhaba style paneer masala recipe. firstly, always use soft and moist paneer for this recipe. i have used homemade paneer for this recipe, alternatively you can use store bought soft paneer. secondly, use thick curd and creamy curd which ensures the gravy to be rich and mild. also ensure to use less sour yogurt for this recipe. optionally creamy greek yogurt can also be used. finally you can also add cashew paste to paneer masala to make it mild and more creamy.
finally i would like to highlight my other paneer recipes collection from my post. this mainly includes, palak paneer, paneer butter masala, matar paneer, paneer jalfrezi, paneer bhurji, methi malai paneer, shahi paneer and paneer tikka masala recipe. in addition do check my other recipes collection like,
dhaba style paneer masala video recipe:
recipe card for dhaba style paneer masala:
paneer masala recipe | dhaba style paneer masala | paneer dhaba style
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp ghee / clarified butter
- 9 cubes paneer / cottage cheese
- 1 tsp cumin seeds / jeera
- 1 bay bay leaf / tej patta
- ½ inch cinnamon stick / dalchini
- 1 onion (finely chopped)
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- salt to taste
- 1 cup tomato pulp
- ½ tsp turmeric / haldi
- ½ tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp kashmiri red chilli powder / lal mirch powder
- ¼ tsp cumin powder
- ½ cup curd / yogurt (whisked)
- water as required
- ¼ tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp kasuri methi / dry fenugreek leaves (crushed)
Instructions
- firstly, in a large kadai heat ghee and fry 9 cubes of paneer. keep aside.
- now in the same ghee, add in cumin seeds, bay bay leaf and cinnamon stick. saute till the spices turn aromatic.
- furthermore, add in chopped onion and ginger-garlic paste and saute well.
- additionally, add in tomato pulp and saute till it release oil.
- now add in turmeric, red chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin powder and salt.
- saute on low flame till the spices are cooked well.
- now add water along with whisked curd.
- mix continuously keeping the flame on low.
- boil the gravy for 2-3 minutes on low to medium flame.
- now add in fried paneer cubes.
- cover and simmer for 2 minutes or till paneer absorbs the spices.
- now add in garam masala and crushed kasuri methi.
- finally, mix well and serve paneer masala recipe with roti or rice.
how to make dhaba style paneer with step by step photo:
- firstly, in a large kadai heat ghee and fry 9 cubes of paneer.
- do not break the paneer, and cook on low to medium flame stirring occasionally.
- keep aside the fried paneer.
- now in the same ghee, add in 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 bay bay leaf and ½ inch cinnamon stick. saute till the spices turn aromatic.
- furthermore, add in 1 finely chopped onion and saute well.
- also add in 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste and saute well.
- additionally, add in 1 cup tomato pulp. prepare the tomato pulp by blending 2 large tomatoes.
- saute continuously till the tomatoes turn mushy and starts to release oil.
- now add in ½ tsp turmeric, 1 tsp red chilli powder, ½ tsp coriander powder, ¼ tsp cumin powder and salt to taste.
- saute on low flame till the spices are cooked well.
- now add ½ cup of water along with ½ cup of whisked curd.
- mix continuously keeping the flame on low. else there are chances for curd to curdle.
- boil the gravy for 2-3 minutes on low to medium flame.
- now add in fried paneer cubes.
- cover and simmer for 2-3 minutes or till paneer absorbs the spices.
- now add in ¼ tsp garam masala and crushed ½ tsp kasuri methi.
- finally, mix well and serve paneer masala recipe with roti or rice.
notes:
- firstly, use homemade paneer or soft and moist paneer for more flavour.
- also cook the tomatoes and onions well, else the curry wont taste great.
- additionally, add in coriander leaves to enhance the flavour.
- finally, paneer masala recipe taste great when cooked and low flame.
this post is also available in ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada), and हिन्दी (Hindi)
Can we skip curd in this recipe?
yes.. it is optional
Hi u used tomatoes pulp is it raw tomatoes or boiled?
raw tomatoes
This is an excellent recipe. It came out very nice. I was wondering if we used a blender just before step #11 ( of course removing the bay leaf and cinnamon stick ), it might result in a smoother curry.
definitely you can blend smooth
nice
Thanks a lot 🙂
I tried a paneer recipe for the first time and it came out really well! Thanku so much Hebbars Kitchen <3
Thanks a lot 🙂
I tried this recipe turns yummy. Every one enjoyed at home and finished
Thanks a lot 🙂
Please advice the exact measure for curd. One cup curd is equal to how much gms
1 cup = 255ml
It turned out really well today. My roomies are in love with this recipe. Thanks for the amazing recipes that you post.
Thank you so much…my dish was a hit….keep posting new recipes
I tried it n it tasted so delicious! Thank you for the recipe
I tried it n it tasted so delicious! Thank you for the recipe! 🙂
I don’t know..but the colour of the curry..did nt came ice…
what red chilly powder did you use?
can we use something else instead of bay leaf
it gives nice aroma.. but as such it does not have taste
I tried this today. End result is satisfactory.
For me curd broke out, become watery..
Had to add more cashew paste to get correct consistency.
you need to whisk curd well before adding.. also keep the flame on low and stir continuously..
very nice we tried it
thank you.. glad you loved it
Nice recipe. will try out.
Thanks a lot 🙂
Your app is fabulous. I really appreciate your work. I have followed few of your recepies so far and I find them really helpful. Thank you and keep sharing more recepies.
Thanks a lot 🙂
lovely
Thanks a lot 🙂
I like all your recipes and even i have tried some of them.
Thanks a lot 🙂
very yummy
thanks you so much..
Thanks a lot 🙂