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🇮🇳 India · Food

Shahi Paneer

40 min
A relaxed effort
🔥 450 kcal
Hearty helping
🍽 4 servings
Great for the family

By eatmundo · August 3, 2026

Shahi Paneer🇮🇳 INAI-generated image

A royal North Indian curry featuring soft paneer cubes in a rich, creamy, and mildly spiced cashew-tomato gravy.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  • 1

    Blend 50g cashews with a little water until it forms a perfectly smooth paste.

  • 2

    In a large pan, melt 30g butter over medium heat and sauté 20g grated ginger until fragrant.

  • 3

    Pour in 300g tomato puree and cook for 10 minutes until the oil starts to separate from the sauce edges.

  • 4

    Add the cashew paste, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp garam masala, mixing thoroughly for 3 minutes.

  • 5

    Slowly pour in 50ml cream while stirring constantly to create a luscious, smooth texture.

  • 6

    Gently fold in 400g paneer cubes, ensuring they are well-coated with the rich sauce.

  • 7

    Cover and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes so the paneer absorbs the flavors perfectly.

  • 8

    Serve warm, perhaps garnished with a sprinkle of extra garam masala or fresh cilantro.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shahi Paneer?+

Shahi Paneer is a North Indian curry made with cubes of paneer cheese in a rich, creamy gravy of tomato, cashew nuts, ginger, and garam masala. It is commonly served as a main course alongside bread like naan or roti during festive meals and special occasions.

Should I fry the paneer first?+

It is optional; some prefer raw paneer for its softness, while others lightly pan-sear it for texture.

Can I use almond paste instead of cashew?+

Yes, it is a great substitute that provides a similar richness, though the color may be slightly lighter.

How do I make the gravy smoother?+

Pass the tomato and cashew sauce through a fine-mesh sieve before adding the paneer to achieve a restaurant-style silky texture.

Is this a very spicy dish?+

Shahi Paneer is traditionally mild and creamy, focusing on the balance of spices rather than heat.

Mundo Match

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