What is Chinese Chilli Panner?
Chilli Paneer is one of the most delectable Indo-Chinese dishes. Golden cottage cheese cubes laced in sauce and gravy along with tons of vegetables and spices, a look at it makes you drool.
All you need is green vegetables, i.e., capsicum, spring onions, etc, sauces, and some fresh paneer. Due to lockdown, you can’t eat outside food because it is not advisable yet and it will go on for a few months now. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss the mouth-watering restaurant food because you can cook the same right in the comfort of your kitchen.
Also, skip the boring food like dal, buckwheat, cabbage, turnips, etc.and do a candlelight dinner with your partner. Chilli paneer recipe also tries in kitty parties, birthday, and other functions.
Cheese also helps to maintain our body healthy. Here are some health benefits:
1. Paneer is rich in protein and strengthens the teeth and bones.
2. It helps in digestion and excretion.
3. It also contains, folate, B complex vitamins that are very essential for pregnant women.
4. Raw cheese helps to lose weight and also keep the heart-healthy, especially for patients suffering from a heart condition.
5. Want healthy & glowing skin? Well, paneer is packed with selenium, vitamin E, and antioxidants that help fight free radicals
(Source – https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/7-health-benefits-of-cottage-cheese-or-paneer-you-may-not-have-known-1813505)
Paneer Chilli Combinations
Paneer Chilli on its own can be quite fulfilling, but Fried Rice or for that matter plain rice and Noodles would be a great combination.
In terms of preparation, you can go bonkers and add as many veggies as you like such as beans, broccoli, corn kernels, and anything that you like. If you do not have corn flour, you can instead add the rice flour in the chilli paneer, it will do the perfect job.
Try these other Indi-Chinese recipes like Sweet Corn Fried Rice, Veg. Spring Roll and Crispy Chinese Pakoda.
Restaurant Style Chilli Paneer Recipe
Ingredients
- 250 gm Cottage cheese chopped in cube shape
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp Cornflour
- 1 tbsp Black Pepper powder
- Salt to Taste
- 1 Medium size Onion chopped in cube shape
- 1 Medium size Capsicum chopped in cube shape
- 2-3 Spring Onion
- 1/2 Tbsp Red chili powder soaked in 1/2 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp Chilli sauce
- 1 inch ginger Finely chopped
- 5-6 Finely garlic cloves chopped
- 1/2 Tbsp Green chili sauce
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1/2 Tsp Chili flakes
- 2 Green chili
- 1 Tbsp Tomato Ketchup
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 Tbsp Cornflour
- Salt to Taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add maida and cornflour, ½ tbsp black pepper powder, salt to taste, and mix the dry ingredients together.
- Then add the cubes of paneer and toss the bowl to coat the paneer from all sides.
- Next, we shift the coated paneer into another bowl.
- Take another bowl with water. With the help of a fork dip the paneer in the water and drop it in the same bowl of flour, ensure it coats well.
- Time to fry the paneer. On medium flame once the pan is hot add oil.
- As the oil heats up gently add the coated paneer in the oil for deep frying.
- When the paneer turns light golden, take it on a kitchen towel-lined plate.
- Take another pan and add 2 tbsp oil.
- Once the oil is hot add the chopped ginger, garlic, and then mix, now add spring onion, chopped onion, capsicum, and green chilli.
- Cook vegetables for 1 to ½ minutes on medium flame and add salt to taste.
- In the cornflour add two spoons of water.
- When vegetables are cooked on the medium flame add the chili flakes, black pepper powder, red chili sauce, Red chilli powder soaked in water, green chili sauce, soya sauce, tomato ketchup, sugar, and lemon juice and now bring together all ingredients by mixing well for ½ minutes.
- Next, pour in cornflour paste then mix all the ingredients and cook on full flame.
- Although, the gravy is ready but at this stage you can add ¼ cup water to thin the gravy. You can add the water according to your liking and mix it well.
- Once the gravy is simmering add the fried cheese and mix them together.
- Next, cook it for a minute or two so that the cheese absorbs the gravy flavors.
- After 2 minutes sprinkle the chopped spring onion and give it a stir
- The chili paneer is ready to eat.
Nutrition
Expert Tips:
- Paneer Preparation: Ensure that the paneer cubes are well-coated with the flour mixture before frying. This helps create a crispy texture.
- Adjust Spiciness: You can adjust the amount of chilli sauce and green chillies according to your taste preference.
- Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh garlic and ginger for a more vibrant flavor.
- Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little water to achieve your desired consistency.
FAQs:
- Can I use tofu instead of paneer?
- Yes, you can use tofu as a substitute if you prefer a vegan option.
- Can I make Chilli Paneer in advance?
- Chilli Paneer is best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare the sauce and fried paneer cubes separately and combine them just before serving.
- What can I serve with Chilli Paneer?
- Chilli Paneer pairs well with steamed rice, fried rice, or noodles.
- How do I store leftovers?
- Store leftover Chilli Paneer in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat it in a pan or microwave before serving.
Enjoy making this flavorful Chilli Paneer at home!
Doesn’t the chilli paneer look mouthwatering and the aroma is fantastic too. I am sure it’s going to pull in all your family members, ready with forks to bite in. Don’t waste a second more, rush to your kitchen and make this chilli paneer using my easy recipe and enjoy your day.
Do let me know your experience with the recipe in the comment section below.
Happy Cooking!
Siddhi Panchal is a food blogger at CookingwithSiddhi and food aficionado who loves to cook. Her cooking skills cover a range of Indian and international cuisines. Her aim is to enable other food enthusiasts explore their love for food by helping them cook delectable dishes from India and around the world.
