Christmas came and went, but not without filling us up to the brim with good food like this Chilli Paneer and great company. The cookie jars have been emptied, and the Christmas tree stands in all it’s glory waiting to be taken down by some lazy people (read: Hubby Dear!) who’d rather postpone the daunting task till the next Christmas.
While we’ve gorged on feasts of rich sinful food the past couple of days, it’s now time to loosen down a little before the biggest feast of the season – the New Year’s Dinner that I plan and carry out with much elegance. The menu has been tried and tested, the serving dishes have been laid out and friends and loved ones have been duly warned to come with ready and growing appetites.
The year-end always brings me to a point where I can’t help but take a stroll down memory lane and acquaint myself once more with all the good, and some not-so-good memories that passed me by. This blog has been a wonderful outlet for me in times of joy and contemplation. My food speaks of my various moods and my write-ups brought me closer to my inner thoughts.
When I woke up this morning, I knew I just had to put in a final post for 2006, and what better than to follow it up with a recipe so dear and near to my palate – Chilli Paneer (recipe updated and can be found here). Being a sucker for spicy food, this dish brings together the best of the East and West. It’s a perfect blend of spice and all that’s nice, and a quick run-to option on cold dreary days when the heart wants some warmth!
While people around me are busy making long never-ending lists of thankyou’s, I wanted to take this opportunity to welcome the new challenges that await me. It’s been a fun ride so far, and I expect the year ahead to get even better.
Have a Happy New Year, my lovelies! See you in 2007!
CHILLI PANEER (DRY)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp light cooking oil
- 1 tbsp finely chopped ginger
- 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic
- 2 medium onions thinly sliced
- 400 gms paneer cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
- 1 medium green bell pepper thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- salt and pepper to taste (add in extra pepper for that zing)
- a handful of chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large non-stick wok and add in ginger, garlic and onions. Fry for a few seconds till fragrant before adding in the paneer. Stir-fry paneer on high heat, tossing continuously, till the edges start to brown.
- Lower the heat to medium and toss in the spices. Add in green pepper, soy sauce, season with salt and pepper, and stir-fry for a 2-3 minutes till everything is mixed well.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and serve warm with plain rice of a side of Fried Rice.
Made this recipe? Rate it by clicking the number of stars on the recipe card. Want to share your version with me? Tag me on Instagram @hookedonheat
53 Comments
Kevin
April 9, 2015 at 2:54 AMI came across your blog while looking for some Indian food recipes and liked a lot. How amazing! I will keep an eye out for all your recipes 🙂
Nikita
April 2, 2015 at 6:55 AMThis recipe turned put very good, i wasnt quite confident at the start but was happy with the end results. also, i added chilli sauce to complement the soy sauce and threw in some chopped scallions.
jaya wasnik
August 13, 2013 at 7:24 AMi love paner chilli
Sunny
May 2, 2010 at 4:52 PMI make this for my nani who is a veggi but the meat lovers can’t get enough of it!
It’s a staple in my house and (probably) the only reason I get asked to cook for the family!
Much appreciation 🙂
nila
November 21, 2008 at 12:45 PMHi
Please tell me why u soak the fried paneer in warm water. i have read several recipes for chilli paneer.this is the first time i have ever read such a thing. pic is amazing.
could u also tell me how much water i should use to soak roughly. all the best..
JPT
July 8, 2008 at 12:09 AMThis was yummy! I made this last night and we couldn’t get enough. Some small variations as mentioned by others. I used tofu (hubby doesn’t like paneer sadly) and baked it instead of frying (trying to eat healthier) and added some green bell peppers and non spicy green chili to it (for added veggies). Tasted YUMMY!
Your recieps are GREAT and easy to follow! Can’t wait to try some of the other recipes. You wouldn’t happen to have one for baklava would you?? 🙂
Kumudha
June 24, 2008 at 12:20 PMI recently made this dish, but used firm tofu instead of paneer. It was delicious. Thanks for sharing so many great recipes.
pinky
June 9, 2008 at 1:59 AMwell the dish looks so delicious that i can’t stop trying it
Divya
May 9, 2008 at 5:10 PMHey Meena..
Thanx for the recipe…i found it to be the best when i was searching for chilli paneer…tha snap looks so good. I tried it last week,it came out so good that am making it again today.
Thanks again..
Keep up the great job
Divya
Kamal Siddhu
April 22, 2008 at 9:26 AMHi there Meena. I’ve just found yr blog and I love everything about it. I was just wondering if I could substitute the paneer with firm white tofu as it’s rather difficult to buy paneer here in Malaysia and I can’t be bothered making it from scratch 🙂
Thanks a bunch.
Kamal S.
Meena
April 22, 2008 at 9:33 AMHi Kamal, firm tofu would be a great substitute for paneer. It might alter the taste of the final result, but will still be great for times when finding paneer can be a hassle. Glad you like the site!
Radha
March 16, 2008 at 9:16 PMI wasn’t aware of this site until I did a search for Chilli Paneer. Excellent recipes and amazing photographs. Can’t wait to try out many of these recipes. Thanks
Radha
Woodbridge, ON
Anita
February 21, 2008 at 12:24 AMHi,
I really like the recipes posted on your site. Simple yet elegant….i tried out this recipe yesterday and I would rate my cooking as ‘not bad’. The method was right but I somehow didn’t get the same colour and the wet look which you’ve got in the pic. Lastly, I just added some tomato ketchup to get the reddish colour. Any suggestions or corrections? Thanx again!
Meena
February 22, 2008 at 9:35 AMHi Anita, I don’t think you would have done anything wrong. The colour maybe just due to the brand of Soy sauce you’ve used. There are many types out there, and each would give you a varied result. Hope this helps!
Sonu
January 29, 2008 at 11:21 AMHi Meena,
I made this recipe with my mom and it turned out AMAZING!! Thanks for the wonderful recipe and the beautiful picture!.
Sonu
ria
December 27, 2007 at 2:29 PMHello,
Your recipes are really good. Recipes posted and how they look, are really an inspiration to cook good food.
thank you so much
ria
Akshay
November 20, 2007 at 12:28 PMActually came out yummy and thanks for the recipe.
nandu
October 3, 2007 at 5:41 PMyummy this recipe is very good, today i prepared this item, taste is very nice. thanks for the recipe.
Itz Me
July 19, 2007 at 10:08 PMHi
Tried ur recipe today..came out really well..my husband loved it…it was tasty but my only problem was that I did not get the color as shown in ur pic…I added enough soy sauce still I didn’t get the color…what cud be the possible reasons…???
Prabosh jog
May 2, 2007 at 10:39 AMMouth watering..
and so easy to make..
even bachelors like me can do it..
I am leaving NOW to buy paneer etc ingredients..
Rimi
April 4, 2007 at 10:23 AMHi Meena,
I just came across your website. All the recipes are mouth watering … Well, I have a question.Will it taste good if I make it the previous day. I am planning to make this for the party. can you suggest please. also, your Hummus recipe, I am planning to use it as a appetizer. How should I bake the pita bread. can you please reply. Once again, Good job Meena.
Thanks
Rimi
julia
March 26, 2007 at 6:24 PMI’ve made this recipe a couple times since seeing this blog post, and it’s soo awesome. I was wondering if you had any recommendations on the paneer, though. I’ve been making it myself and can’t seen to quite get a consistency that makes nice cubes. Any ideas?
Sonali
March 8, 2007 at 12:27 PMHi Meena, I just found out about your site. Loved it. All the pictures are so good. I live in Canada too. Which part of the country do you live in? Keep up the good work.
Regards
sagu
February 22, 2007 at 8:50 AMThis dish look mouthwatering!!!! can’t wait to try.. 🙂
Nupur
February 4, 2007 at 7:58 AMI made this recipe last night when some friends came over, and everyone just loved it! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe.
vassu
January 31, 2007 at 7:21 PMHi Meena,
This recipe really interests me to try it but I was wondering if I could substitute tofu for the paneer. What do you think? Great pictures.
Meena
February 1, 2007 at 9:37 AMYes Vassu, you could definitely substitute Tofu for Paneer in this recipe, though I’d suggest firm Tofu. Let me know how it turned out. 🙂
SusanV
January 24, 2007 at 9:40 AMThis looks absolutely delicious, but I have a question. Chilli powder is mentioned in the directions, but I don’t see it in the ingredients. How much do you use? Thanks.
Meena
January 25, 2007 at 9:38 AMHi Susan, you can totally skip the red chilli powder if you wish, the black pepper would have enough spiciness already. I sometimes add chilli powder depending on how extra spicy I want it to be.
Gluten Free Post
January 24, 2007 at 8:42 AMNice! All I have to do is substitute the soy sauce for Gluten Free soy sauce and I’ll be good to go!!! Looks great, can’t wait to try it!
Spice Lover
January 22, 2007 at 3:30 AMHi Meena
Tried a drier version of the chili paneer thanks to your inspiration.
seema
January 17, 2007 at 1:15 PMMeena, Lovley looking panner. Just devine. Loved the color. My mouth is already watering.
Thanx dear
Abhishek
January 15, 2007 at 7:12 AMHi…you had previously helped me out with a difference of tomato Puree and tomato paste..have another question..what is corn starch mixture? I have some baking soda if it helps thicken the gravy… I use it to make pakodas for besan-kadhi..and it also helps to thicken the paste and keeps the besan balls (pakodas) soft….. Thanks in advance for the enlightenment.
kickpleat
January 11, 2007 at 4:45 PMwow, i’ve been wanting to make paneer and i think this is the recipe to make me do it!
Padmaja
January 10, 2007 at 1:45 PMHi Meena
Looks Yummy!! I should try sometime. Nice picture.
soumya
January 5, 2007 at 1:34 AMHey this is really a mouth watering one.Hmm wish i could eat up everything right now.Simply superb.Thanks for thie festive to my eyes.
Scott at Real Epicurean
January 4, 2007 at 10:33 PMThis sounds great, actually. I fancy a bit of heat right now!
Mythreyee
January 4, 2007 at 4:17 PMWOW! what a wonderful delicacy. Excellent photograph too. thanks.
Bhargavi
January 3, 2007 at 10:24 PMHi!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Have A Blessed New Year to u n ur family.
Good daY!
Mallika
January 2, 2007 at 12:06 PMHappy New Year Meena!
This looks great. My granny always orders this in Chinese restaurants in India. Now I have the recipe. Thanks so much.
Nidhi
January 2, 2007 at 10:27 AMWonderful recipe for Chilli Paneer….I tried it yesterday and it came out very well…Thanks for sharing.
Happy New Year.
Nidhi.
pooja
January 1, 2007 at 10:30 PMhi ,
visiting your blog for the firs time , and i really likes it. Hubby is a bing Paneer fan. going to try your way of making Paneer chilli soon .
May This New Year Bring Good Health, Happiness And Prosperity To You And Your near and Dear ones.
-Pooja
Nidhi
January 1, 2007 at 3:43 PMI m here for the first time and I really liked your recipes.
Here’s Wishing you a very Happy New Year Meena. May God bless you and your family with all the happy things in this coming year.
Cheers, Nidhi.
priya
January 1, 2007 at 2:02 PMYUMMM !
Wishing peace, health, and happiness in 2007 and always. Happy New year to you and your family !
Erin
January 1, 2007 at 10:17 AMThis looks amazing! Hot & Spicy — just the way I like it. I’ve actually been looking for a good Indian cookbook so that I can try out some new dishes myself and was wondering if you have any recommendations? Happy New Year!
Lakshmik
December 30, 2006 at 9:58 PMThanks so much for this recipe. Infact, we have a new year party tomorrow and I am supposed to make this one. I was collecting a few recipes for chili paneer. I think I am going to settle down for this recipe.
Fahara
December 30, 2006 at 6:00 PMMmmmmmm this sounds SO delicious! If only I knew where to buy paneer in the UK!
Dilip
December 29, 2006 at 10:31 PMOhhh the dish looks great. My daughter loves paneer, I show her this dish….thanks for sharing…you and your family have a wonderful 2007…~smile~
Kristen
December 29, 2006 at 9:18 PMThat looks soooo good. Have a great party and New Year!
rachel
December 29, 2006 at 3:34 PMso pretty I want to lick the screen!
Ashwini
December 29, 2006 at 3:08 PMLooks really great!! Will try it for sure.
Have a very happy new year.
Gluten-Free By The Bay
December 29, 2006 at 1:02 PMOoh, that looks fantastic! I thought it was tofu at first, but when I read it was paneer I got even more hungry.
Sumitha
December 29, 2006 at 12:33 PMMeena cant tell you how tempting the chilli paneer looks!Wishing you a great new year too[:)]