Chettinad Paneer Pepper Masala

Chettinad paneer pepper masala is an lipsmacking spicy sidedish from Chettinad cuisine.It is not only tasty but nutritious too. It is made by cooking cottage cheese ( paneer) in a special Chettinad masala gravy . It is a simple recipe and can be prepared very quickly.This gravy goes very well with chapati,dosa,idli,appam,idiyappam,jeera rice etc..Learn how to make this delicious Chettinad paneer pepper masala recipe below.

Ingredients

Paneer -250 gms
Onion -2 nos chopped
Tomatoes -2 nos chopped
Ginger garlic paste -1 tsp
Turmeric powder -1/4 tsp
Salt to taste
Curry leaves handful
Ghee + oil-1 tbsp

For masala

Grated coconut-1/2 cup
Coriander seeds -1 tbsp
Cumin seeds -1 tsp
Pepper corns-1 -2 tsps
Fennel seeds -1 tsp
Poppy seeds ( khus khus)-1 tsp
Red chillies -2-4 nos
Cinnamon,cloves,cardamom each 2 nos
 

Recipe Video

Method

👉Heat 1 tsp oil in a kadai add the ingredients given for masala and sauté well until you get light golden brown colour.Cool it and grind to a fine paste set aside.

👉In the same kadai heat ghee+ oil add curry leaves ,onion and saute well until the onions turn translucent.Add ginger garlic paste saute for few seconds. Add in the tomatoes and cook until they are mushy.Now add turmeric powder and required salt mix well.

👉Add the ground masala paste mix well and saute for 2 mins.Add 1 1/2 cups of water , cover with lid and cook for 5 mins until raw smell goes and colour of the gravy changes .

👉 Finally add the paneer cubes mix gently with the gravy.Cook covered for 2-4 mins. 

👉Switch off the gas and serve hot.

Preparation time -20 mins
Serves -4-5

Note-

✍️Adjust the spiciness according to your taste preference.
✍️You can have this as a dry paneer masala without adding water.
✍️You can avoid tomatoes.

✍️For extra zest add a tsp of lemon juice.