Ingredients
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
- 1 Bay leaf
- ¼ teaspoon Turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground Coriander
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Cumin
- To taste Salt
- 1 teaspoon Garam masala
Vegetables & Paneer
- 1 Medium Onion, finely chopped
- 1 Small Red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 Small Yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cups Mixed Vegetables (such as peas, carrots, beans, cauliflower)
- 1 cup Paneer, cubed
Liquids & Fats
- 2 tablespoons Oil
- 1 tablespoon Unsalted butter or ghee
- 1½ teaspoon Ginger and garlic paste
- 1 cup Tomato puree
- ½ cup Water, plus more if needed
- 1 tablespoon Almond butter or ground almonds
- 3 tablespoons Cream
Garnish
- 3 tablespoons Cilantro, finely chopped
Instructions
- Heat the base: In a large pan or skillet, warm 2 tablespoons of oil and 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter or ghee over medium heat until the butter melts and is fragrant.
- Temper spices: Add 1 teaspoon cumin seeds and 1 bay leaf to the hot oil. Let them sizzle for about 30 seconds to release their aroma without burning.
- Sauté onions and ginger-garlic paste: Add the finely chopped medium onion to the pan. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions turn golden brown, about 7-8 minutes. Then, add 1½ teaspoons of ginger and garlic paste and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add peppers and vegetables: Stir in the chopped red and yellow bell peppers along with the 2 cups of mixed vegetables. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, to slightly soften them.
- Incorporate tomato and spices: Pour in 1 cup tomato puree and mix well. Add ¼ teaspoon turmeric, 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, ¼ teaspoon ground cumin, and salt to taste. Stir everything thoroughly to combine all the spices evenly.
- Add water and simmer: Pour in ½ cup water to help the vegetables cook and the spices meld together. Stir, then cover the pan and let it simmer on low-medium heat for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a splash more water if the gravy becomes too thick.
- Add almond butter and paneer: Stir in 1 tablespoon almond butter or ground almonds to enrich the gravy, mixing well. Next, gently fold in 1 cup cubed paneer. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes, allowing the paneer to absorb the flavors while the sauce thickens slightly.
- Finish with cream and garam masala: Stir in 3 tablespoons cream and 1 teaspoon garam masala. Heat through for another 2 minutes, making sure the dish is creamy and aromatic but not boiling.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle with 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro, and serve hot with naan, roti, or steamed basmati rice.
Notes
- You can customize the mixed vegetables according to your preference. Common choices include peas, carrots, green beans, and cauliflower.
- If you want a vegan version, substitute paneer with firm tofu and use coconut cream instead of dairy cream and butter.
- Add water gradually during simmering to achieve your desired gravy consistency.
- For a richer taste, roast the almonds before grinding or using almond butter.
- This dish pairs beautifully with Indian breads like naan or paratha and fragrant basmati rice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Vegetarian