Chanar Dalna - Paneer curry

Paneer is a household name in almost every Indian family now. Paneer was there as a vegetarian option always whether it is simple dinner or a special occasion. Though traditionally chanar dalna is prepared by cottage cheese made from milk in home I did not do that in this recipe. I used the easily available Paneer from the shop. I plan to provide the preparation of chana /chena from milk later.

Preparation Time: - 10~15 min

Cooking Time: - 30~35 min

Servings: - 3~4 persons

Ingredients:-

1. 200 gm paneer cut into small cubes
   
2. 4~5 medium sized potatoes – cubed
   
3. 1 chopped tomatoes
4. 1 tbsp ghee - optional
5. 3 green chilies – finely chopped
6. 2 bay leaves
7. ¼ tsp garam Masala powder (clove, cinnamon and cardamom)
8. 1 stick of cinnamon
9. 2 cloves
10. 1 tbsp ginger paste
11. 1 ½ tbsp cumin seeds(jeera) powder
12. 1 tsp whole cumin seeds
13. ½ tsp red chilly powder - optional
14. 1 tsp turmeric powder
15. Salt to taste
16. 1~2 tsp sugar
17. 4 tbsp vegetable oil – I used sunflower oil

Preparation:-

1. Heat oil in a non-stick kadai/wok in high flame, shallow fry the paneer pieces with little salt and keep aside.
   
2. Add little more oil in the same kadai and fry the potatoes with turmeric powder and salt till they turn golden. Again keep them aside.
   
3. Again add 1 tbsp oil, heat it with high flame and put the cumin seeds, bay leaves, and cinnamon. Let it crackle.
4. When they crackle add tomato, cumin powder, red chili powder (if you want it spicy) and ginger paste. Turn the heat to medium flame.
5. Stir and add ½ tsp turmeric powder, sugar and salt. Cook till tomato melts and smell of spices disappear. Also oil starts separating at this point.
   
6. Put the fried potatoes and stir thoroughly.
7. Add 1 ½ cup of water. The cup used is medium sized – not too small.
   
8. Let it shimmer for few minutes.
9. Add fried paneer. Cook for another 4~5 minutes in low flame
   
10. Pour ghee and garam Masala before you turn off the heat

Now the dish is ready. This goes well with either Rice or any bread like Roti, Luchi, Poori, Kachori or Radhaballabhi. Even fried rice is ok with it.

As always please feel free to comment, criticize and seek if any help is required. I am all ears.