Spicy Paneer Bhurji
Ingredients
INGREDIENTS:
- 200 gms Paneer Cottage Cheese, crumbled or grated
- 2 tablespoon of oil or ghee clarified butter
- 1 large Onion medium chopped
- 1 Medium Tomato medium chopped
- ½ Tsp ginger garlic paste freshly made using mortar and pestle
- Pinch of Asafoetida
- 1 green chili
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- ½ Tsp Kasuri Methi Optional
DRY SPICES:
- ½ Teaspoon red chili powder
- ¼ Teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ Teaspoon garam masala powder optional
- Salt as per your taste
- FOR GARNISHING
- 2 tablespoon coriander leaves finely chopped
- 1 green chili
- 1 slice of lemon
Instructions
- Pour oil into a hot pan/wok and add cumin seeds.
- When cumin seeds crackle, add onions.
- Stir the onions for 3 to 4 minutes on medium flame.
- Add ginger garlic paste and chopped green chili (optional)
- Now stir it till the aroma comes out. (2 minutes approx.)
- Add the tomatoes and stir it, until oil separates.
- Add the dry spices (red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt as per your taste.)
- Now add grated paneer
- Cook on a medium flame for 1-2 minutes while stirring.
- Serve it hot. Bon Appetit!
Video
Nutrition
STORAGE
You can store the leftover paneer bhurji in an airtight container and refrigerate it.
TIPS & LEFTOVERS
You can use it as a filling in parathas, sandwiches, or Kathi rolls. You can use it as a pizza topping for making Cheesy paneer pizza or use it as a filling for paneer momos.
SUBSTITUTES
You can make it healthier by adding vegetables like finely chopped carrots, peas, and diced capsicum.
For the vegan version of this recipe you can use firm tofu instead of paneer, but do not use silken tofu or soft tofu.
For the second vegan version use Soya granules instead of paneer.
Now you can relish this easy, quick, delicious, and versatile Spicy Paneer Bhurji. Enjoy!
FAQs
How to crumble paneer for bhurji?
The Hindi translation for bhurji is scrambled. Paneer can be grated or mashed. If you have store-bought paneer then soak it in hot water for 5 minutes. Do not boil else it will be hard and rubbery. Strain the water and then crumble it. If your paneer is homemade and fresh then it will crumble with light pressure of your palm and fingers.
Why is paneer bhurji expensive?
Indian cottage cheese is known as Paneer. It is made from curdled milk. The price of Paneer Bhurji depends on the price of milk in that particular region or city. One litre of cow’s milk makes roughly 200gms of paneer. It definitely adds to the price.
The rest of the ingredients are onions, tomatoes, ghee or oil, and some Indian spices. The price of these ingredients also adds to the price of Paneer Bhurji. The high demand for paneer in certain regions also makes it expensive.
How to get aroma in paneer bhurji?
If someone is using fresh and organic ingredients, the aroma itself arises in the dish. Although there are a few tips and tricks to add aroma to Paneer Bhurji. We can use ghee instead of oil. We can also add fresh coriander chopped leaves and salted butter while serving.
The last tip is quite a task but it will give a smoky flavor. Transfer the Paneer Bhurji to a serving bowl. Keep a burned piece of charcoal in a small bowl, place the bowl on top of the Paneer Bhurji. Now add one teaspoon of ghee to burned charcoal. It will start to produce smoke. Close the lid of the serving bowl for five minutes.
Why do people like paneer?
Paneer is the best protein option for vegetarians. It has the texture and softness which merges with any Indian gravy. It gives richness to the recipe. Nowadays paneer has gained popularity as it is the easily available option for Vegetarians doing the keto diet. Paneer is a versatile ingredient which can be used in appetizers and main dish. Many Indian sweets especially Bengali sweets are made from curdled milk, which is Paneer.