Chilli paneer

Frying paneer Add 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional) to a mixing bowl

Then add in ¼ teaspoon red chilli powder, ⅛ teaspoon crushed black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon salt and little water

Mix together to make a batter

Consistency: If you are health conscious and prefer to use less refined flour then make a thin batter

If you like the restaurant style chilli paneer which has a thick coating of batter, then make thick batter

Heat 3 to 4 tablespoons oil in a deep pan for shallow frying

Add 200 to 250 grams of cubed paneer and gently coat the batter

Check if the oil is hot enough by dropping a small portion of batter

It must rise without browning

This is the correct temperature

Pick up each batter coated paneer with a spoon and gently slide them in the hot oil

Space them apart from each other, do not crowd

Do not disturb them for a minute or until the batter firms up

Stir and fry them on a medium heat on all the sides until crispy

Drain to a kitchen tissue or a steel colander

Prepare sauce Option 1 – For dry chilli paneer : Stir in 1 tsp cornstarch to a bowl and mix with half cup water

Stir well & set aside

To another small cup, add 2 tbsps chilli sauce, 1 tbsp soya sauce, 2 tbsps ketchup, 1 tsp sugar, half tsp vinegar and half tsp red chilli powder (optional)

Set this aside

Option 2 – For chilli paneer gravy : Add 2 tsp corn flour & 1 cup water to a bowl

Stir well and make a lump free slurry

Keep aside

Add in 2 tablespoon soya sauce, 4 tbsp chilli sauce, 1 teaspoon of vinegar, 3 tablespoons tomato ketchup and little more salt & sugar

For color add ¾ tsp red chilli powder

Stir well and set this aside

How to make chilli paneer Remove excess oil from the fry pan retaining 1 tbsp

Fry one tablespoon finely chopped garlic until it smells good

Then add in 2 tablespoons of spring onion whites and 1 medium onion cubed & layers separated

Also add in 1 slit green chili and half cup diced capsicum

Saute on a high flame for 2 mins

Stir the prepared sauce in the bowl and pour it to the pan

Next stir the prepared corn slurry and pour it to the pan

Mix every thing & cook on a medium heat till the sauce thickens

Check the taste of the sauce

You can add more sauces or salt if you wish to adjust to your taste

If you want to thin down the sauce, just add some hot water to get the desired consistency

Turn off the heat and cool down slightly

Add crushed black pepper & fried paneer cubes to the chilli sauce and mix

Add the spring onion greens

Serve paneer chilli hot as a appetizer

You can also serve this with hakka noodles or fried rice