Chilli Paneer

Chilli Paneer, a tantalising Indo-Chinese fusion dish, combines the flavours of Indian spices with Chinese stir-frying techniques. It is a tasty dish that combines cubes of paneer, a type of Indian cottage cheese, with colourful bell peppers, onions, and a spicy sauce. It's the right combination of textures and flavours, with a fiery blast balanced by a hint of sweetness.

Ingredients:

• 250g paneer, cut into cubes
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 capsicum (bell pepper), diced
• 2-3 green chillies, finely chopped
• 3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1-inch ginger, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon chilli sauce
• 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 tablespoon corn-starch mixed in 3 tablespoons of water
• 2 tablespoons oil for stir-frying
• Salt to taste
• Chopped spring onions for garnish (optional)

Step 1: Prepare the Paneer

• Cut the paneer into bite-sized cubes and keep aside.
• Toss the paneer cubes in a mixing basin with a bit of salt and a spoonful of corn flour until equally coated. This process gives the paneer a crunchy quality when fried.

Step 2: Stir-frying

• In a pan or wok, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
• Fry the coated paneer cubes in the heated oil till golden brown on all sides. Remove and place on a plate lined with paper towels.
• If necessary, add a bit additional oil to the same pan. Stir in the garlic, ginger, and green chillies. Sauté for a few minutes or until fragrant.

Step 3: Prepare the Sauce

• In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, chilli sauce, tomato ketchup, and vinegar. Change the amounts to suit your spice preferences.
• Pour this sauce mixture into the pan with the garlic, ginger, and green chillies that have been sautéed.
• Allow to simmer for a minute after thoroughly stirring.

Step 4: Putting it All Together

• Add diced onions and bell peppers to the pan sauce. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until they're tender but still crunchy.
• Add the cooked paneer cubes to the skillet and gently stir to cover the paneer and veggies evenly with the sauce.
• To thicken the sauce, add the corn starch-water combination to the pan. Stir constantly for a minute or two, or until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients thoroughly.

Step 5: Presenting

• Place the fragrant Chilli Paneer in a serving dish.
• Serve hot as an appetiser or as a side dish with steamed rice or noodles, garnished with chopped spring onions for an extra burst of freshness.

Chilli Paneer, with its spicy and savoury flavour profile, is a delectable appetiser that entices the taste senses. This Indo-Chinese fusion cuisine never fails to dazzle with its colourful flavours and textures, whether served as an appetiser or as part of a meal. This easy-to-follow recipe provides a faultless replication of this popular Indo-Chinese cuisine for anyone looking for an easy, delicious, and flavour-packed Chilli Paneer recipe. This recipe promises a delectable culinary experience with crispy paneer, colourful vegetables, and a savoury sauce.