Paneer Lababdar

Lababdar means “a strong desire for something and indulge in it”. So once you have tasted it, you’ll have a desire to have more of it.

Paneer Lababdar is a paneer gravy dish. It is another Punjabi style recipe as popular as  Paneer Butter Masala. Gravy is rich & creamy as it’s prepared with tomatoes, onions, cashews and spices. This dish can be enjoyed with any of your favorite breads like Paratha, Tandoori Roti, Whole Wheat Naan, Missi Roti, etc and even Jeera Rice.

Also try: Paneer Butter Masala, Paneer Tikka Masala or Paneer Masala.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: North Indian

Time: Preparation – 10 mins, Cooking – 30 mins, Total – 40 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

1. Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese) – 250 grams (cut 150 grams into cubes and crumble the remaining)
2. Onion –  1 medium (finely chopped)
3. Tomato – 4 large (roughly chopped)
4. Green Chili – 4 (slit)
5. Cashew – 5
6. Garlic – 4 cloves (roughly chopped)
7. Ginger – 1/2 inch (roughly chopped)
8. Green Cardamom – 2
9. Clove – 2
10. Bay Leaf – 1
11. Cumin Powder – 1/2 tsp
12. Kashmiri Red Chili Powder – 1 tsp 
13. Coriander Powder – 1 tsp
14. Garam Masala Powder – 1/2 tsp
15. Kasuri Methi (Dried Fenugreek Leaves) – 1 tsp
16. Butter – 2 tbsp 
17. Oil – 1 tsp
18. Cream – 3 tbsp
19. Water – 1.5 cup
20. Coriander Leaves for garnishing
21. Salt to taste.

PS: 1 Cup = 250 ML.

How to make Paneer Lababdar:

1. Heat a pan and add 1/2 cup water, chopped tomatoes, cashews, garlic, ginger, green cardamom & cloves. Bring it to a boil and cook on a medium flame until water is completely absorbed, stirring occasionally. Turn off the flame and let it cool down
2. Add it to a blending jar and blend to make a smooth paste. Strain it through a strainer by pressing it nicely to get the maximum paste out of it, keep aside 
3. Heat oil and butter in a pan or a kadai. Add bay leaf and saute
4. Add onions and saute until golden brown
5. Add tomato paste, cumin powder, kashmiri red chili powder and coriander powder. Mix and cook until butter separates
6. Add 1 cup water, green chillies and crushed kasuri methi. Stir and bring it to a boil. Cook on a medium flame until gravy thickens, about 2 mins
7. Add garam masala powder, cream and salt. Mix and cook for a min
8. Add paneer (cubes + grated). Mix and cook for about 2-3 mins, your Paneer Lababdar is ready. Garnish with some coriander leaves and crumbled paneer.