Ingredients
For Preparing the Paneer
Homemade paneer/Indian cottage cheese – 250 grams, cut into ½ inch pieces (recipe here)
All-purpose flour – ½ cup
Cornstarch – ¼ cup +2 tbsp
Salt – to taste
Black pepper – ½ tsp, freshly ground
Baking powder – ⅛ tsp
Ginger-garlic paste – 1 tbsp, freshly ground
Water – ⅓ cup
For the Paneer Chilli Sauce
Oil – 2 tbsp
Spring onion whites – ½ cup, finely chopped
Onion – 1 medium, cubed and layers separated
Capsicum – 1 large, cubed
Green chilies – 10 or to taste, split lengthwise
Spring onion greens – 2 tbsp, finely chopped
Garlic – 2 tbsp, minced
Ginger – ½ tbsp, minced
Cornstarch slurry – 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with ½ cup water
Dark soy sauce – 1 & ½ tbsp
Teriyaki sauce – ½ tbsp
Chili garlic sauce – ½ tbsp (I used Lee Kum Kee brand)
Vinegar – 1 tsp
Salt – to taste
Black pepper – ½ tsp, freshly ground
MSG/Ajinomoto – ½ tsp
Roasted sesame seeds – for garnish
Instructions
First off, sprinkle 2 tbsp cornstarch on the paneer and give it a toss to coat it evenly. Let the paneer rest in the fridge for 10 minutes.
Combine all-purpose flour, ¼ cup cornstarch, salt, freshly ground black pepper, baking powder, and ginger-garlic paste in a bowl. Give it a mix.
Add water and whisk well to make a thick batter.
Dip the paneer pieces in the batter and let the excess batter drip.
Carefully drop the paneer pieces in the hot oil. When the batter on the underside of the paneer sets, flip the paneer.
Turn the heat to low and fry until golden. Do not fry for very long, else the paneer will become chewy.
Drain the fried paneer and take it out onto a plate, Set it aside.
Now to make the sauce, heat oil in the skillet or wok on high flame. Add in the spring onion whites and saute it for a minute.
Add the ginger, garlic, and green chilies. Saute for a minute.
Next, toss in the diced onions and capsicum and saute for another minute. Do not overcook the veggies. They should be crunchy.
Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and MSG/ajinomoto. Mix.
Now add the vinegar, dark soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, and teriyaki sauce. Give it a quick mix.
Add the cornstarch slurry and mix. Bring the sauce to a boil.
When it thickens, turn the heat off.
Add the fried paneer and give it a toss.
Garnish with spring onion greens.
Chilli paneer recipe is ready. Serve hot. Garnish with some roasted sesame seeds. Enjoy!
