Paneer Kolhapuri is a tremendous mixing of Indian cottage cheese in rich coconut, fresh herbs and shahi style gravy. The main ingredient is Kolhapuri masala, which is available in every store. You can make it in your home as well.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 400 gm cottage cheese (paneer) cut in triangles
• 1 tsp butter
• 1 tsp oil
• 5-6 green chillies chopped
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 tsp garlic paste
• 1 tsp coriander seeds crushed
• 4 dried red chillies
• 4-5 cloves
• 1/3 grated dry coconut (khopra)
• 5 back peppercorns
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 tsp poppy seeds (khuskhus)
• 1/2 tsp  sesame Seeds
• 1 tsp stone flower (dagad phool)
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 1 black cardamom
• 2 green cardamoms
• 2 onions finely chopped
• 4 tomatoes pureed
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin (jeera) powder
• 1/2 tsp fennel seed (saunf) powder
• Salt to taste
• Freshly chopped coriander leaves

How to make Paneer Kolhapuri:

1. Heat oil in a pan and add dried red chillies, cloves, grated dry coconut (khopra), black peppercorns, bay leaves, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, stone-flower, cinnamon stick, black cardamom, green cardamoms, mix well and roast for 2 minutes.
2. Transfer this roasted masala into a grinding bowl, grind well and make a powder.
3. Kolhapuri masala is ready.
4. Now melt butter in a pan and add green chillies, ginger- garlic paste and crushed coriander seeds, saute well.
5. Add chopped onion, cook for a minute on low flame.
6. Add tomato puree, salt, red chilli powder, turmeric powder and mix well.
7. Cook for 4-5 minutes and make a thick gravy.
8. Add kolhapuri masala, jeera powder, garam masala powder and fennel seeds powder. Stir for 2 minutes.
9. Add paneer and mix very gently.
10. Coat the pieces of paneer with all the spices and cook for 2 more minutes.
11. Garnish with fresh chopped coriander leaves.
12. Serve hot with butter roti or any Indian flat bread.

Chef Tips:

1. You can add paneer cubes as well. Where as I have used triangles of paneer.
2. While serving garnish with fresh grated coconut to make it more attractive.