Name: Paneer Kalimirch Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 3
Ingredients: 2 green chilies (slit); 3 garlic cloves (peeled and slightly minced); 1/2 inch ginger (peeled and chopped); 1 cup cubed onions (From 2 large onions); 10 cashews; 2 tablespoons oil or ghee; 1 bay leaf; 2 cloves; 2 cardamom; 1/2 cup water; Salt (to taste); 1/2 teaspoon chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder; 1/4 cup fresh curd (yogurt) (well whisked); 1 teaspoon black pepper powder (freshly powdered or milled from 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns ); 200 grams paneer, cubed (Indian cottage cheese); 2 tablespoons Fresh cream (optional)

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Last updated on July 30th, 2018

Paneer kalimirch recipe is a delicious Indian paneer curry that has flavors of black peppercorns. The base gravy is made of browned onions, cashews and yogurt. The whole curry is flavored with kalimirch or black peppercorns. If you are looking for an easy paneer recipe other than paneer butter masala or palak paneer, do give this paneer kalimirch a try. Here is an easy step by step paneer kalimirch recipe for you all!

In this paneer curry kalimirch or black peppercorn is the main flavoring ingredient. The sharp taste of kalimirch is balanced by the addition of yogurt. Also browned onions add a subtle sweet note to the gravy. So while this paneer kalimirch has a distinct flavor of black pepper yet it does not have very sharp taste or spicy.

I tasted this paneer kalimirch in a dhaba and loved it with hot butter naan. It was a delight for us to eat succulent panner cubes gently simmered in rich yet subtle, smooth yogurt sauce. Also there was a garnish of freshly ground pepper powder that we liked. I was told this is the vegetarian variation of popular chicken kalimirch recipe.

Making paneer kalimirch is very easy. You need very few simple ingredients to make the gravy. It is just a saute, grind and simmer recipe that beginners can try with confidence. If you love restaurant style paneer curries then you can try this very easily.

Serve paneer kalimirch with naan, kulcha, jeera rice, peas pulao. You can also serve with a side of kachumber or raita.

Some Tips For Making Perfect Paneer Kalimirch

First of all like in any Indian paneer recipe, use homemade paneer for best results. You can also use store bought paneer but ensure that is fresh. Also remember to thaw the paneer by soaking it in hot water for few minutes.

You have to brown the onions well so that it give a subtle sweetness to the gravy.

Use fresh curd and make sure to whisk the curd very well before adding to the recipe. If you do not whisk the curd it may curdle the gravy.

Also maintain low flame while adding the curd.

As use freshly ground pepper powder for best flavor. You can also make a garnish of fresh pepper powder while serving.

Finally, it is better to avoid tomato in this gravy.

More Paneer Recipes:

If you are looking for more restaurant style paneer recipes do check

How To Make Paneer KaliMirch Recipe

1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil or ghee in a pan. Add slit green chilies, peeled garlic and ginger. Saute well.

2. Add cubed onions and saute well till they turn slight brown. Cool down a bit.

3. Transfer to a mixer jar, add cashews and grind to a fine paste.

4. Heat the remaining oil in a pan. Add bay leaf, cloves and cardamom. Saute well.

5. Now add the prepared onion paste and saute well till the oil separates.

6. Add 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil.

7. Now add salt to taste, chili powder and coriander powder. Mix well and cook for 3-4 minutes.

8. Lower the flame and add the whisked curd very slowly. Stir as you add the curd. Mix well and simmer for 7-8 minutes. If you are a beginner, you can switch off the flame and add the curd. Mix very well and then continue to cook.

9. Once the gravy boils and fat releases slightly, add freshly ground pepper powder. I used a pepper mill for this.

9. Now if you want you can add 2 tablespoons fresh cream. I did not add as the gravy is very rich with curd, cashews.

10. Add the paneer cubes and gently mix. Simmer for 2 minutes. Serve paneer kalimirch hot with naan or roti. This curry also goes very well jeera rice.