{"id":"recipe_76d4549e19","slug":"shahi-paneer","title":"Shahi Paneer","description":"A rich, royal Indian curry made with soft paneer cubes simmered in a creamy, mildly spiced tomato-onion gravy thickened with cashews.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":25},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"400g Paneer, cubed","name":"Paneer","quantity":400,"unit":"g","usQuantity":14.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"cubed","notes":"Fresh Indian cottage cheese","group":"Protein","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 large red onions, roughly chopped","name":"Red Onions","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"roughly chopped","notes":"red","group":"Gravy Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"3 medium tomatoes, chopped","name":"Tomato","quantity":3,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"Ripe and juicy","group":"Gravy Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1/2 cup cashews, soaked in warm water","name":"Cashews","quantity":65,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"whole","notes":"soaked for 20 minutes","group":"Gravy Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"4 garlic cloves","name":"Garlic","quantity":4,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"clove","form":"peeled","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 inch ginger, peeled","name":"Ginger","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"peeled","notes":"Approx 10g","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"2 tbsp ghee","name":"Ghee","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid/solid","notes":"Clarified butter","group":"Cooking Fat","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 tsp cumin seeds","name":"Cumin Seeds","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 bay leaf, 2 cardamoms, 1 cinnamon stick","name":"Bay Leaf","quantity":4,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"Bay leaf, green cardamom, cinnamon","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1 tsp kashmiri red chili powder","name":"Red Chili","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"Kashmiri variety for mild heat and red color","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1/2 tsp garam masala","name":"Garam Masala","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"1/4 cup heavy cream","name":"Cream","quantity":60,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Finishing","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-13","original":"1 tsp kasuri methi, crushed","name":"Kasuri Methi","quantity":1,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"crushed","notes":"Dried fenugreek leaves","group":"Finishing","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-14","original":"Salt to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"powder","notes":"To taste","group":"Seasoning","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in a pan. Add the whole spices (bay leaf, cardamoms, cinnamon) and cumin seeds. Once they sizzle, add the chopped onions, garlic, and ginger. Sauté until the onions turn translucent.","group":"Base Gravy Preparation","title":"Heat 1 tbsp of ghee","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Base Gravy Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Add the chopped tomatoes and soaked cashews. Cook for 8-10 minutes on medium heat until the tomatoes become soft and mushy. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool completely.","group":"Base Gravy Preparation","title":"Add the chopped tomatoes and soaked cashews","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Base Gravy Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Once cooled, blend the mixture into a very smooth paste using a blender, adding a little water if necessary. Strain the paste through a sieve for a silky 'Shahi' texture.","group":"Base Gravy Preparation","title":"Blend the mixture","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Base Gravy Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"In the same pan, heat the remaining 1 tbsp of ghee. Add the blended gravy and kashmiri red chili powder. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the ghee starts to separate.","group":"Simmering","title":"Heat the remaining 1 tbsp of ghee","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Simmering"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Stir in the heavy cream and salt. Add the paneer cubes and gently mix so the paneer is coated but doesn't break. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.","group":"Simmering","title":"Stir in the heavy cream and salt","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Simmering"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Finish by sprinkling garam masala and crushed kasuri methi. Garnish with a swirl of cream before serving hot with naan or jeera rice.","group":"Finishing","title":"Finish by sprinkling garam masala and crushed kasuri methi","timerMinutes":1,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"For an even smoother restaurant-style texture, strain the blended gravy through a fine-mesh sieve before adding it back to the pan. You can replace heavy cream with whole milk yogurt for a tangier version.","cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["North Indian","Mughlai"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["simmer","saute"],"equipment":["blender","heavy bottom pan","sieve"],"diet":["vegetarian","high_protein","gluten_free"],"allergens":["milk","tree_nuts"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"servings","note":"Approximately 250ml per serving"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The gravy base (onions, tomatoes, cashews) can be prepared and blended up to 2 days in advance."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container. The gravy might thicken as it cools; add a splash of warm milk when reheating.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat on the stovetop on low heat to maintain the creamy texture."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_76d4549e19%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b9414478-39da-4e89-b347-fe686743cc4d","imageAlt":"Shahi Paneer — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["paneer","creamy","indian curry","vegetarian","royal","party food"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Shahi Paneer","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T17:19:39.486Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T17:19:39.486Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_fb27e32ec2","slug":"curd-rice-thayir-sadam","title":"Curd Rice (Thayir Sadam)","description":"A comforting, creamy South Indian staple made with soft-cooked rice mixed with cool yogurt and tempered with aromatic spices, mustard seeds, and curry leaves.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","nut_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_fb27e32ec2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f4b6828b-7878-41e2-be3a-0eb61ce6a548","imageAlt":"Curd Rice (Thayir Sadam) — recipe cover","tags":["rice","yogurt","south indian","curd rice","thayir sadam","comfort food","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":13,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_4f66a15443","slug":"lemon-rice-elumichai-sadam","title":"Lemon Rice (Elumichai Sadam)","description":"A vibrant, tangy, and aromatic South Indian classic made with fluffy precooked rice, fresh lemon juice, and a crunchy tempering of lentils, peanuts, and spices.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["South Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_4f66a15443%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=35e72f0f-1a06-4145-8088-dfcf951a6bfb","imageAlt":"Lemon Rice (Elumichai Sadam) — recipe cover","tags":["lemon rice","south indian","tangy","quick lunch","vegan indian","yellow rice"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":14,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_c3ae6a52c8","slug":"moong-dal-khichdi","title":"Moong Dal Khichdi","description":"A comforting, wholesome Indian one-pot meal made with rice and yellow moong lentils, tempered with ghee and mild spices. This version is perfect for a nutritious breakfast.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["Indian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_c3ae6a52c8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=5460ce62-691a-4f9d-b89e-0431c5210df6","imageAlt":"Moong Dal Khichdi — recipe cover","tags":["comfort food","healthy","one pot","moong dal","rice","indian breakfast"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":6}]}