Paneer Bhurji Recipe
Paneer Bhurji is a famous North Indian dish made by cooking paneer (Indian curd) with a mixture of spices, tomatoes, onions and capsicum. A flexible and delicious dish that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Paneer Bhurji is easy to make, but it is also nutritious, as it contains a good source of protein and calcium. Here is a detailed recipe to make this great dish at home.
Ingredients:
To make paneer bhurji you will need the following ingredients:
250 gms paneer (curd), grated
2 tbsp vegetable oil or ghee
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
1-2 green chillies, finely chopped (substitute as per taste)
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
1 medium-sized tomato, finely chopped
1 small green chilli, finely chopped
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp red beans powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp garam masala
Salt to taste
Finely chopped coriander leaves for garnishing
Lemon wedges for serving (optional)
Instructions:
1.Preparation:
Break the paneer into small pieces and keep aside.
Finely chop the onion, tomato, green chillies and green capsicum.
Save the prepared spices and other ingredients for use while cooking.
2.Cooking the Bhuji:
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil or ghee in a pan on medium flame. When the oil is hot, add 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds and let it sizzle for a while till it gives out its fragrance.
Add the finely chopped onions to the pan and fry them till they turn golden brown. This process will take around 4-5 minutes. Keep stirring in between to ensure even cooking.
When the onions turn golden, add the ginger-garlic paste and green chillies. Saute for another minute till the raw smell of the ginger-garlic paste disappears.
Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and cook them till they turn soft and mushy. This will take around 3-4 minutes. Keep stirring in between to prevent over cooking.
Now add chopped green chilies and cook for 2-3 minutes till they become a little soft but still have a crispy texture.
3.Add spices:
Add 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1/2 teaspoon red beans powder, 1 teaspoon coriander powder and salt to taste. Mix well and cook for a while to incorporate the spices well.
Add the chopped paneer to the pot and mix it gently to coat it with the spice mixture. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Make sure the paneer is well coated with the spices and vegetables.
4.Final touches:
Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon garam masala over the paneer mixture and mix gently.
Switch off the flame and add freshly chopped coriander leaves over the paneer bhurji.
If desired, add a few drops of lemon juice over the bhurji to make it sour.
5.Serving:
Serve paneer bhurji hot with Indian breads like chapati, paratha or naan. It also works great with toasted bread or as a filling for sandwiches and wraps.
Paneer bhurji can be served with yogurt or a mixture for a complete feast.
Suggestions and Variations:
Adding vegetables: You can add different vegetables like peas, carrots or corn to make the dish more nutritious and rich.
Variation in flavour level: Change the amount of green chillies and red chilli powder according to your taste.
Freshness of paneer: Use fresh paneer for best results. If you are using locally bought paneer, soak it in warm water for 10 minutes so that it softens before it breaks.
Vegetarian option: For a vegetarian option, use firm tofu instead of paneer. The cooking process continues as before.
End:
Paneer Bhurji is a great and easy to make dish that you can have anytime. Its flexibility and rich flavor make it #1 among paneer eaters. Whether you serve it as a stuffing for roti, rice or wrap, paneer bhurji is sure to be a hit. Follow this recipe to make a delicious and nutritious dinner that everyone will love.
