Serves: 4
Total Calories: 1,627

2 tablespoons Basic Ginger-Garlic Paste or store-bought
1/4 teaspoon saffron threads, dry roasted and ground
__Dry-Roasting Spices ..........Click the Edit tab and select this entry to learn more.
8 ounces (1 recipe) Paneer Cheese or store-bought
1/2 cup plain yogurt (any kind), whisked until smooth
1 teaspoon Garam Masala
1/2 teaspoon ajwain, seeds
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon ground paprika
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup water
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground green cardamom seeds
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

1. Prepare the ginger-garlic paste and the saffron. Prepare the paneer cheese, then cut it into triangles about 1/2 inch thick. In a large bowl, mix together the yogurt and saffron and allow to steep at least 30 minutes. Then add in the ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, ajwain seeds, cayenne pepper, paprika, and salt. Add the paneer cheese pieces and mix well. Cover and marinate at least 4 and up to 8 hours in the refrigerator.

2. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the paneer pieces until lightly golden, 15 to 20 seconds per side. Transfer to a serving platter and keep warm.

3. Mix together the water and cornstarch and stir it into the marinade left sticking to the pan.

4. In a small nonstick wok or skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat then add the cumin seeds they should sizzle upon contact with the hot oil. Quickly mix in the coriander and the cornstarch mixture and bring to a quick boil over high heat. The sauce should thicken immediately. Mix in the cardamom seeds. Drizzle the sauce over the paneer cheese, garnish with the cilantro, and serve.

From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Nutritional Facts:

Serves: 4
Total Calories: 1,627
Calories from Fat: 450

More Recipes from the 1000 Indian Recipes Cookbook:
* Paneer Cheese
Basic Paneer Cheese Scramble
Crunchy Paneer Cheese Pâté
Curried Paneer Cheese and Potatoes
Curried Paneer Cheese with Peas and Potatoes
Grated Paneer Cheese with Minced Cauliflower
Griddle-Fried Paneer Cheese
Marinated Paneer Cheese with Ginger-Lime Pickle
Marinated Paneer Cheese with Saffron Yogurt Sauce
Nine-Jewel Paneer Cheese Curry
Oven-Bakes Paneer Cheese with Puréed Cilantro
Paneer Cheese Balls
Paneer Cheese Bites with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Paneer Cheese Chile-Fry with Crispy Ginger
Paneer Cheese Curry with Coconut Milk
Paneer Cheese Curry with Two Onions
Paneer Cheese Glazed with Puréed Tomatoes
Paneer Cheese Scramble with Apple-Ginger Chutney
Paneer Cheese Scramble with Morel Mushrooms
Paneer Cheese Scramble with Soybeans
Paneer Cheese Wedges with Chickpea Flour
Paneer Cheese Wraps
Paneer Cheese with Baby Spinach and Fresh Fenugreek Leaves
Paneer Cheese with Cauliflower and Broccoli
Paneer Cheese with Coconut and Corn
Quick Spinach with Crumbled Paneer Cheese
Royal Paneer Cheese Curry
Sautéed Paneer Cheese with Green Chutney
Seared Paneer Cheese in Lemon Cream
Seared Panner Cheese with Caper Sauce
Silky Paneer Cheese Curry with Red Chili Peppers
Spicy Diced Paneer Cheese with Ajwain Seeds
Spicy Peppered Paneer Cheese
Spinach with Paneer Cheese
Stir-Fried Paneer Cheese with Onions and Bell Peppers
Stuffed Paneer Cheese Balls in Creamy Tomato Sauce