For the final and the third day of BM, I choose to make
Baalti Paneer. Since I saw her posting this Balti Paneer, I decided I was going to make it. I can’t miss trying yet another paneer dish right. I must be feeling happy that I have my kids loving Paneer as much as I do. It makes it all the more easy to making new dishes with Paneer.
When I read through the recipe, I realised I didn’t have the Watermelon Seed or the Watermelon Kernels called magaz tari in Hindi. So had to make this after getting it. The only thing I didn’t do was to check on what balti means. Which I did just now, knowing it’s not late to research on the dish.
A Balti is a British-style type of curry served in a thin, pressed steel wok-like “balti bowl”. According to the Wiki, the precise origins of the Balti style of cooking are uncertain; it is believed to have originated either from England or from Pakistani. ‘Balti’ food is named after the pot in which it is cooked. Balty or Balti means “bucket.” which refers to the steel or iron pot in which the food is cooked or served.
Reading that the paneer used in this gravy is actually fried as a pakoda and added, reminded me of the dish that’s served in a restaurant near our place. I know this wasn’t the same, yet it was indeed very delicious. When I made the
Paneer Pakoda, I served half as such and the kids loved it so much.
Rest was added just before serving the gravy, for the Rajma Biryani that I made. Both made a great pair and I am sure I will be making this regularly at home.
Step by Step Picture Recipe
Balti Paneer
Ingredients Needed:
For the Paneer Pakoras
Paneer cut into cubes – 250 gms
Gram Flour / Besan – 1/2 cup
Red chilli powder – 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
In a bowl, mix the flour, salt, and red chili powder. Slowly add water just enough to make a thick batter.
Heat a pan with oil, dip the paneer pieces in the batter and deep fry till the paneer is crisp and golden in colour. Keep it aside.
For the Gravy
Ghee – 1 tsp
Oil – 2 tsp
Bay leaf – 2 small
Onions sliced – 1 big
Tomatoes boiled and pureed – 3
Ginger Garlic paste – 1/2 tsp
Red chilli powder
Turmeric powder a pinch
Coriander powder 1 tsp
Salt to taste
For the Cream paste
Almond / Badam – 8
Magaz Tari / Watermelon seeds – 1 tbsp
Milk – 1 cup
For Final Garnish
Kasoori methi 2 pinches
Garam Masala – 1/2 tsp
Preparation
In a microwave bowl, take almonds, fill with just enough water, microwave for a minute, remove the skin. Soak almonds and magaz tari in water for 10 mins and make a paste along with milk.
How to make the gravy:
Heat a Kadai or nonstick deep vessel with ghee and oil, add cumin seed and bay leaf.
Then add sliced onions, cook till the onions turn pink. Next, add ginger garlic paste and saute well.
Now add the magaz tari paste, saute well. Then add pureed tomatoes and all the spices powders. Cook till oil separates.
Add enough water to get a thick consistency.
Finally add the kasoori methi, garam masala, and simmer for 5 mins.
Just before serving add the paneer pakodas.
Notes:
Capsicum was also added, which I skipped. Also, the paneer pakodas were to be added before simmering, however, I added just a few mins before serving the gravy.
As always I just replace milk for recipes that call for fresh cream. I seriously have never found this wanting. Though of course, I know fresh cream will really make the dish very creamy. But then who wants that rich creamy gravy for a dinner, even if that happens to be a special one.
Blogging Marathon 1st week was Cooking from BM Blogs and I posted two gravies from Vaishali
Matar Aloo ka Nimona
Paneer Lajawab
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 19
11 comments
This is a specialty at the restaurant..people really like this dish..of course when I make I cut down the oil, spices and all those fatty things..bu still it turns out good..and ya nice info on the balti thing:))
Name is very catchy valli!!! Mouth-watering!!
Wow this looks yum. Love the explanation for balti.
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Wow..the recipe sounds very new to me..will try this recipe for sure..
English People here love this,and I love the funny way they pronounce Balti 😀
I never knew we have to fry the Paneer first as Pakodas… Thanks for the info
Looks very creamy.. With the picture, I thought it was Paneer Butter Masala.. This dish is new to me and looks yummm
Sowmya
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New to me but sounds delicious.Bookmarked…
Had once this balti paneer in a restaurant, how tasty this dish will be na.. Yummy.
you have picked such amazing array of dishes….this one tops the list
Gravy looks great
mouth watering gravy, Valli.