Quick and simple restaurant style Paneer Angara recipe with detailed step by step pictures. Smoky cottage cheese curry – paneer angara is best served with any Indian flat bread!
In a heavy pan heat 2 teaspoon oil and add ½ teaspoon cumin seeds, ½ teaspoon fennel seeds, 1 dry bay leaf, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 cardamom, 1 clove, ¼ teaspoon black peppercorns, 1 dry red chilli and fry for a minute.
Next add 2 medium onions roughly chopped along 6 garlic cloves, 2” ginger piece & 2 green chillies slit.
Cook until the onions are soft. Next add 2 medium tomatoes roughly chopped.
As the tomatoes begin to turn mushy, add 8-10 cashews.
Cook covered until onions and tomatoes are soft. Remove from heat and cool down the mixture completely.
Grind into a smooth paste and set aside.
In the same pan add 1 tablespoon oil and ½ teaspoon cumin seeds followed by ½ tablespoon Kashmiri red chilli powder, ½ teaspoon coriander powder ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder, ½ teaspoon garam masala powder. Cook for a few seconds.
Add the prepared curry paste.
Add water as needed, Mix well and cook on medium flame for another 3-4 mins until the oil separates.
Add salt as needed and cook again on low flame for 2 minutes.
Now add some water and mix it well. Continue cooking on low flame.
Next add 1 small onion and capsicum cubed. Cook covered for 4-5 mins.
Add ½ teaspoon sugar and salt as needed, mix well. Add water if needed as the curry can get thick very quickly.
Next add 100 grams paneer cut into thick cubes (blanched in hot water for a minute). Add 1 teaspoon kasoor methi. Mix well.
Now add 1 tablespoon fresh cream and mix well. Continue cooking on low flame.
Garnish with 2-3 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro. Remove from heat.
Place a bowl at the center of the curry. Meanwhile heat a coal piece or coconut shell until it is red hot and place it in the bowl carefully.
Add a few drops of oil or ghee to induce smoke.
Cover the pan with a heavy lid and let the curry get smoked for 10-15 mins.
Serve hot with any Indian flat bread of your choice.
Notes
Adjust spices as per preference.
It is optional to smoke the curry but is highly recommended.