Chilli paneer is an Indo chinese starter/main made using pan fried/ deep fried paneer along with few other sauces. This can be had as such if made dry or as a side gravy with noodles/fried rice.
I follow two different ways to make chilli paneer. One is where I deep fry the paneer pieces, make the chilli sauce separately and other sauces to make this dish. Another method is where I quickly pan fry the paneer and use stored bought sauces to make this dish. However this time instead of pan frying the paneer, I just tossed them in little oil and air fried them. Turned out better than the pan fried ones and all the more quick. While the paneer pieces were getting ready I chopped for the gravy, prepared the sauce and added the air fried paneer into it. Just took me 15- 20 minutes altogether including the prep time. Make it vegan by substituting paneer with firm tofu or cauliflower. For the non vegetarian version , try my chilli chicken recipe.
So let’s try making this shall we?
INGREDIENTS
Serves – 3-4
- Oil (Sesame/any other neutral flavoured oil) – 2 tbsp
- Onion – 1 small, cut into cubes and the layers separated
- Coloured Pepper – 3/4 cup, cut into cubes
- Garlic – 1 tbsp finely chopped
- Scallions ( white) – 2 tbsp , finely chopped
- Chilli flakes – 1 tsp
- Red Chillies sauce ( spicy) – 1 tbsp – 1 .5 tbsp
- Light Soy Sauce – 1.5 Tbsp
- Dark Soy Sauce – 1/2 Tbsp
- Ketchup – 2 tbsp
- Corn flour – 0.5 tbsp
- Water – 1/2 – 1/4 cup
- Rice vinegar – 1.5 tsp (optional)
- Scallions/ Spring onions – to garnish
- Salt – To taste
For Marination
- Paneer – 200gm , cubed
- Ginger Garlic paste – 1 tsp
- Red Chilli powder /Paprika – 1 tsp
- Pepper powder – 1 tsp
- Lime juice – 1 tbsp
- Salt – to taste
- Oil – 1 tbsp
METHOD
1. Marinate the cubed paneer with pepper powder, red chilli powder, ginger garlic paste, salt and lemon juice. Set aside for 5 minutes.
2. After marination , toss the paneer cubes in oil and air fry them for about 5-10 minutes ( time will vary depending on the air fryer)
3. While the paneer gets ready , heat oil and add in the finely chopped garlic and scallions. Saute them for about 30-40 seconds.
4. Add the chilli flakes and the cubed onion. Saute just for few seconds.
5. Add in the the cubed peppers and saute for few more seconds and add the soy sauce.
6. Also add the chilli sauce and tomato ketchup. Mix well and add water according to the amount of gravy desired.
7. Meanwhile make some cornflour slurry. When the gravy comes to boil add the cornflour slurry and keep mixing to avoid lumps.
8. Let the gravy cook for 30 seconds. Add the air fried panner and mix well. Let cook for few more seconds and switch off the flame.
9. Garnish with scallions and serve hot with fried rice/noodles.
NOTES
- The marinated paneer cubes can even be pan fried. Fry on all the sides till crispy.
- After adding the onions and peppers , don’t let cook for long. The peppers and onions should have a crunch.
The Greedy Tummy 