Achari paneer is made with fresh or fried paneer cubes cooked in a tomato and capsicum paste gravy that includes nigella seeds, asafetida, a mix of powdered spices, ginger paste and yogurt. Coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, fennel seeds, mustard seeds and dry red chilies are roasted and ground to create a special achari masala powder which adds to its tangy taste. Continue reading my simple recipe to learn the steps to make achari paneer at home.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Achari paneer is a very popular dish of North India.
- Serve it along with roti, paratha, naan, pulao or steamed rice.
- Achari paneer tastes tangy and slightly spicy, creamy and savory.
- Other similar recipes are kadai paneer, paneer tikka masala, paneer lababdar, shahi paneer, and paneer malai kofta.
The Ingredients:
To cook achari paneer:
- 200 grams paneer (cut into small cubes)
- 2 pieces tomatoes (medium size, roughly chopped)
- 1 piece capsicum (medium size, roughly chopped)
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- ½ tsp nigella seeds
- ¼ tsp asafetida (hing)
- 2 pieces green chilies (roughly chopped)
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- ½ cup yogurt (whisked)
- ½ tbsp sugar
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup water
- Coriander leaves (a handful, roughly chopped)
To make the achari masala:
- 2 pieces dry red chilies (whole)
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp fenugreek seeds
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
I learned about achari paneer preparation from my Gujarati friend. She is a good cook who possesses knowledge about numerous delicious vegetarian recipes that anyone can cook. I visited her home one evening and walked directly to her kitchen attracted by the smell. I insisted she show me the process, and she narrated the entire procedure, which I recorded on my phone.
I made it the very next day. I followed every bit of her instruction and the result was a marvelous dish that smelled exquisite and had delicious flavor. My two sons and husband were over the top and their smiles made me so happy. I thanked my friend for sharing the recipe with me and giving me such pleasure.
How to Make Achari Paneer? (Step by Step Guide with Images)
Step 1: Dry roast and grind 2 pieces of dry red chilies, 1 tsp of coriander seeds, 1 tsp of cumin seeds, 1 tsp of fenugreek seeds, 1 tsp of fennel seeds, and 1 tsp of mustard seeds for 2 minutes to make the achaari masala.
Step 2: Make a paste of 2 medium-sized, roughly chopped tomatoes and 1 capsicum.
Step 3: Fry ½ tsp of nigella seeds and ¼ tsp of asafetida (hing) in 2 tbsp of cooking oil. Add 2 pieces of finely chopped green chilies and 1 tbsp ginger paste.
Step 4: Add ¼ tsp of turmeric powder, 1 tsp of red chili powder, tomato-capsicum paste, ½ cup of whisked yogurt and salt to taste.
Step 5: Add the ground achari masala made before, small cubes of 200 grams of paneer and ½ tbsp of sugar.
Step 6: Add ½ cup of water.
Step 7: Add a handful of roughly chopped coriander leaves.
Step 8: Your tasty and spicy homemade achari paneer is ready.
Recipe Card
Achari Paneer
Ingredients
To cook paneer achari:
- 200 grams paneer cut into small cubes
- 2 pieces tomatoes medium size, roughly chopped
- 1 piece capsicum medium size, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- ½ tsp nigella seeds
- ¼ tsp asafetida hing
- 2 pieces green chilies roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- ½ cup yogurt whisked
- ½ tbsp sugar
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup water
- Coriander leaves a handful, roughly chopped
To make the achari masala-
- 2 pieces dry red chilies whole
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp fenugreek seeds
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
Instructions
- Dry roast and grind 2 pieces of dry red chilies, 1 tsp of coriander seeds, 1 tsp of cumin seeds, 1 tsp of fenugreek seeds, 1 tsp of fennel seeds, and 1 tsp of mustard seeds for 2 minutes to make the achaari masala.
- Make a paste of 2 medium-sized, roughly chopped tomatoes and one capsicum.
- Fry ½ tsp of nigella seeds and ¼ tsp of asafetida (hing) in 2 tbsp cooking oil. Add 2 pieces of finely chopped green chilies and 1 tbsp ginger paste.
- Add ¼ tsp of turmeric powder, 1 tsp of red chili powder, tomato-capsicum paste, ½ cup whisked yogurt and salt to taste.
- Add the ground achari masala made before, small cubes of 200 grams of paneer and ½ tbsp of sugar.
- Add ½ cup of water.
- Add a handful of roughly chopped coriander leaves.
- Your tasty and spicy homemade achari paneer is ready.
