Achari Paneer

TGIF!!!! Well, Fridays are always the most loved day of the week, a day you look forward to having fun with your family and friends. In our household, every celebration, big or small, starts with food and ends with food.

Last evening, we had a bad experience with food in a local restaurant, and my kids were disappointed. So, I had to make something good to cheer them up.

Finally, I made a slightly tangy and spicy Paneer Achari with Laccha Paratha.

So, coming back to my Achari Paneer recipe, if you love pickles, then you will love this paneer recipe. Slightly tangy and spicy, this paneer recipe is robust in flavor. Here, I am making my Paneer gravy with my homemade Achari masala.

Making of Achari Masala

Kashmiri chilli - 8-10

Coriander seeds- 2 tablespoons

Methi /fenugreek seeds-1 tablespoon

Kalonji seeds-1 tablespoon

Mustard seeds-1 tablespoon

Saunf -2 tablespoons

Amchoor powder-1 tablespoon

Salt -1 teaspoon

Dry roast all the spices other then Amchoor powder on a slow flame. Make a powder out of it.

Mix Amchoor powder and salt. Your Achari masala is ready. Please keep it in an airtight jar.

Cut around 200 grams of paneer into your desired shape and grill it. If you don't want to grill it, that's also fine.

Making of Achari Gravy

Ingredients-

Onion- 2, big, finely chopped

Tomato -1, medium size, finely chopped

Ginger -Garlic paste- 1 tablespoon

Kashmiri chilli powder- 1 tablespoon

Fresh green chili/red chilli-2-3, slit lengthwise

Dahi /yogurt -2 tablespoons

Maida -1 tablespoon

Kasoori methi -1 tablespoon

Bay leaf -2

Oil from mango pickle- 2 tablespoons

Cilantro - for garnishing

Salt -according to taste.

Turmeric- 1 teaspoon

Mustard oil/your choice of oil two tablespoons

Method

Heat a heavy bottom pan.

Add oil.

Heat it.

Add onion.

Saute it.

Add bay leaf.

Add ginger-garlic paste.

Saute for 2 minutes.

Add tomato.

Saute till it mixes nicely like a paste.

Add turmeric and chili powder.

Add two tablespoons of your homemade Achari Masala.

Mix maida and dahi together.

Add the dahi mixture to the pan.

Saute for a minute or two.

Mix oil from Achari masala.

Add kasoori methi.

Add paneer pieces.

Mix nicely.

Adjust the seasoning.

Paneer Achari is ready to serve.