Paneer (Panir) Coconut Curry

If you are getting bored or tired of the standard Butter Paneer or Paneer Makhani, you are going to love this twist on the classic favorite. With creamy coconut milk and a bit of fruity tang from tamarind, this paneer coconut curry recipe will win hearts! Enjoy it with rice, naan, chapati or your favorite Indian bread.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

Paneer – 12 oz, cubed
Coconut Oil – 1 Tbsp
Mustard Seeds – 1 tsp
Asofoetida – 1/4 tsp
Curry Leaves – few
Onion – 1 medium, chopped fine
Salt – to taste
Garlic – 1 Tbsp, minced
Ginger – 1 Tbsp, minced
Green Chilies – to taste, chopped fine
Tomatoes – 2 medium, chopped
Coriander Powder – 1 tsp
Cumin Powder – 1/2 tsp
Red Chili Powder – 1/2 tsp or to taste
Turmeric Powder – 1/2 tsp
Water – 1/4 cup
Coconut Milk – 14 oz can
Tamarind Paste – 1 tsp or to taste for tanginess

Method:

1. In a medium pan, heat Coconut Oil.
2. Add Mustard Seeds and allow them to pop.
3. Add Asofoetida, Curry Leaves and mix.
4. Add Onions and a bit of salt, mix and cook for 2-3 minutes until onions are translucent.
5. Add Garlic, Ginger & Green Chilies. Mix and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
6. Add Tomatoes, mix and cook until the mixture mashes down and clumps together.
7. Add Coriander Powder, Cumin Powder, Red Chili Powder, Turmeric and water. Mix well and cook 1-2 minutes.
8. Add Paneer, mix well to completely coat the mixture and cook unitl the paneer is heated through.
9. Reduce heat to low and add Coconut Milk and additional salt to taste.
10. Add Tamarind Paste and cook for a few minutes until the curry is hot and bubbling.

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5 thoughts on “Paneer (Panir) Coconut Curry

  1. Hi ladies! I have just made this and it’s excellent! My first time cooking with paneer. Since I’m working at home during the lockdown I need easy lunch ideas, and thus one is great. It’s a definite addition to my rotation.

    1. Hi Tim,
      Excellent! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed this dish.
      First time with Paneer? WOW! You have opened a can of worms here, the list is just endless now ?
      Happy Cooking!

  2. Namaste Ladies,
    I am SO grateful to you for introducing me to Indian cuisine. Over the years I have amassed a collection of appropriate spices. I entertained the idea of using tofu in this recipe but thought better of it the texture and end result would be way off. Making paneer using your method isn’t hard to do at all and have amazed my Indian friends that I have actually taken the time to do so. “Only my grandmother does that” is the usual response.
    The serving suggestions are helpful. I must say however, using basmati rice is a bit iffy. While cooking and after done it make the house smell as if there has been a dead mouse laying around for a couple of weeks. I think I’ll stick with plain white of brown.
    Thanks again for sharing and keep up the fabulous work.

    1. Hilarious! We have never heard basmati rice ‘aroma’ being described like that before 😉
      Anyways, kudos to you on making the effort on making Paneer from scratch, I am sure it paid off.
      Happy Cooking!

  3. This is such an interesting twist !!! Will definitely try it …. would you have a non dairy paneer recipe for your vegan viewers. Thanks for sharing Panir recipe.

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