When two’s a crowd…
Our weekend was a blast. Me and hubby spent a good part of the day cleaning the house, and a better part of the afternoon in the kitchen together, making our favourite treats. There’s nothing better than spending a cold wintry afternoon in the warmth of your kitchen bumping into each other trying to food more into the pan and less on the floor.
After a successful feat a few weeks ago, Hubby Dear once again decided that we would cook a festive meal together. I held back and we compromised to make ONE dish together, while I would dish out the rest on my own. The reason was quite simple. I can be quite a control freak when it comes to cooking and my kitchen is my space. You’d have to fight me tooth and nail to convince me otherwise.
As I set the menu for the lavish dinner I had planned for later that day, I gave Hubby the liberty to choose what he wished to help with. After refusing about half of his requests, I gave in with one of the entre’s, only because it happened to be one of his all-time favourites.
It took a lot of patience, mainly from me, and tons of cajoling, obviously from him, and a while later, we had a result we would proudly display. Needless to say, Hubby Dear spent the rest of the evening informing guests how he had a huge hand in preparing the dish every time it was complimented. And tons of compliments it certainly got!
PANEER MAKHANI
INDIAN COTTAGE CHEESE IN A CREAMY SAUCE
Prep time: 10 min, Cooking time: 20-25 min | Serves: 4-6
400-500 gms of Paneer, cut in 2-inch long rectangles 4 riped tomatoes, pureed 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste 2 tbsp fine ground cashews 2 tbsp plain yoghurt, beaten fine 1 tbsp tomato paste 1 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves salt, to taste 1/2 tsp red chili powder 2 tbsp ligh tcooking oil 1/2 tsp coriander powder water as needed HEAT oil in non-stick pan and saute ginger-garlic paste till fragrant. Add tomato puree and cook till it begins to dry and give out oil.
ADD red chilli powder, coriander powder, cashew powder, fenugreek leaves and tomato paste, and fry for a minute or two. Add beaten curd, stirring well to blend in. Add water to make a thinner consistency and allow it to come to a boil.
STIR in salt and add paneer pieces. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, adding water it needed.
Serve warm with buttered Naan and Vegetable Pulao and enjoy this deliciously rich delicacy.
October 23rd, 2006 15:11
Hi Meena.. this is the first time I am leaving a comment on your blog but have been a regular visitor for a long time now. I had to comment on this post of yours because I totally relate to what you are saying when you say two is a crowd in a kitchen especially when dear husbands decide to cook a meal
I myself am a control freak in the kitchen and my husband knows that I am having a panic attack when he announces that he will be making a dish 
Anyways, I am just glad that its not just me and there are others who feel the same way 
By the way, your dish looks great and I am sure it tastes great too… have a nice day
Cheers,
Sonia
Thanks for stopping to comment Sonia. Your comment actually made my Hubby very happy to know that I’m not the only one who turns a monster when her kitchen is invaded. Now he’s completely at peace knowing that his wife is as normal as any other!
October 23rd, 2006 16:45
I can relate with you on being a control freak in the kitchen and as Sonia said I’m glad that its not just me. Paneer makhani looks delicious and thanks for sharing the recipe.
This dish truly is delicious Pavani, and its simple method makes it even more worth its while. do try it and let me know!
October 24th, 2006 09:00
I hear ya on that control freak thing….even though the other half enters the kitchen once in a bluemoon he would still like to comment on every single thing I do hehe….
I know just what you mean girl, they seem to have an opinion of everything!
October 24th, 2006 11:02
Paneer Makhani looks delicious! Let him cook and you sit on the couch,watch TV with warm chocolate and warm throw!!:))
Ohh how I wish I could, Asha! But having someone in my kitchen always compels me to hover over them!
I guess, the only time Hubby Dear gets hold of the kitchen is when he wakes up early on weekends to surprise me with breakfast in bed. Now that I’ll never mind. 
October 25th, 2006 11:36
yup, that’s true. we pick our days to cook and stick with it
the paneer makani looks delicious.
October 25th, 2006 15:01
Hi Meena,
That is one yummy Paneer Makhani!! Like you mentioned in your post,I too am a control and cleanliness freak in the kitchen where my hubby cooks,which is of course once in a blue moon:-)). Strange though I had no problems when my mom too charge in the kitchen when she visited!:-)))…
October 25th, 2006 16:13
This looks absolutely delicious! Your photographs are gorgeous. I can’t wait to try some of these recipes (especially this one).
October 26th, 2006 13:03
Yummy! I will surely try your version. It sure looks too delicious!
October 27th, 2006 22:28
Looks so rich and delicious, Meena! And without butter and cream I am trying to avoid… will definitely try this soon. Thanks!
November 19th, 2006 11:20
Looks very rich and delicious. Will try this today itself. thanks for sharing.
January 18th, 2007 20:40
That looks fabulous. Dang it, I just made my weekly trip to the store today. I’ll have to sneak back for cottage cheese and yogurt.
January 29th, 2007 12:22
I have been a silent reader for a while, but I finally had to leave you a note.
Thank you for taking the time to share these recipes!
I just wanted to drop you a line to say THANK YOU!
I made dinner last night using your recipes, three to be exact, Paneer Makhani, Alu Fry and Peas Pulao!!!
All I can say is I am still licking my fingers
Thanks Priti, I’m glad you all enjoyed the food. Keep dropping in and don’t be shy to leave comments often! :)
April 11th, 2007 20:00
Meena!
I just made the paneer makhani and it was absolutely AMAZING…probably one of the best Indian dishes I’ve ever cooked…thanks sooo much for such a delicious, simple recipe!
July 8th, 2007 08:33
Hey Meena….
I just made this dish but substituted paneer with potato and peas instead, as I could not buy the paneer on time
Everyone liked it. Thank u so much for posting this recipe.
February 10th, 2008 11:28
Hi Meena,
I just started reading your blog and I love it! Your recipes have been a simple and poignant way to make Indian cooking more understandable and enjoyable. I made this paneer makhani dish for a get together yesterday and it was a blast. Thanks and please continue to unearth and demystify Indian cooking and techniques!
March 28th, 2008 10:57
Hi Meena,
I tried your paneer makhani recipe, twice, and both times it came out smashingly well. Your recipe is one of the few low-fat paneer makhani recipes i have seen. Most of the others recommend using a ton of cream. Your recipe is really simple and easy to make and tastes fabulous. Thanks!
I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe Chakli, it’s one of my favourites as well! Just making it less fattening that the regular restaurant version means that I can enjoy it even more.
April 27th, 2008 06:53
Hi Meena..
i stumbled across ur blog and must say ur recipes and photographs are awesome!!
I tried this recipe y’day and it turned out great!!
thanks
Madhu
November 16th, 2008 16:32
Hi Meena,
I had some friends over today and tried this recipe. It was a smashing hit. my dh doesnt like the paneer dishes i make at home. he gave a thumbs up to this dish. definitely a keeper..
i love ur blog..
hima
January 18th, 2009 21:26
Hi Meena, I just made the paneer makhni and it was absolutely fabulous. I made it slightly thicker than yours. I am scared of making Indian vegetarian dishes but thought this one looked definitely achievable.
You have to leave tips about taking photos of food. I try to take photos of food that I cook and send them to my parents so that they believe I can actually cook and the photos never come out as good as yours even if the food itself tastes fantastic. I have also made your baingan patiala and chilli paneer.
Thank you. And I have to compliment on how lovely your site is.