What is Paneer Bhurji ?

Paneer is referred to as Indian Cottage Cheese widely used in Indian Cuisine and is a staple in many vegetarian dishes. Paneer is also known as a good source of protein and calcium for vegetarian and those looking to incorporate plant-based protein into their diet. It is used in various dishes and different forms. Today we will learn about Paneer Bhurji which is one of the easiest and famous dishes made out of paneer.

“Bhurji” refers to scrambled or crumbled. So, Paneer Bhurji means scrambled paneer cooked with spices & vegetables. It is a flavourful protein-rich dish and easy to prepare. Paneer Bhurji is often enjoyed as a breakfast or served as a side dish with flatbreads like roti or paratha. It’s a versatile dish that can be customised with various spices and vegetables according to personal preference.

Paneer Bhurji Essential

Here is the list of essentials which is required to make Paneer Bhurji.

1). Paneer: The first and foremost ingredient required to make Paneer Bhurji is Paneer. You can purchase paneer from the market or use homemade paneer. I prefer using homemade paneer as it is tastier. Paneer is made by curdling the milk with an acidic ingredient like lemon juice or vinegar.

2). Onion and Tomato: Finely chopped onions add sweetness and flavour to the dish. Diced tomatoes provide acidity and moisture to the bhurji.

3). Ginger and Garlic: A paste made from fresh ginger and garlic add depth of flavour to the dish. To make fresh ginger garlic paste, all you need to do is crush them together to form a paste. A readymade ginger-garlic paste can be also used but freshly made paste is better.

4). Spices: Common spices used in paper bhurji includes turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, and garam masala. These spices add warmth, colour and flavour to the dish.

5). Oil or Ghee: Use oil or ghee (clarified butter) for sautéing the onions, tomatoes, and spices. Ghee adds richness to the dish.

6). Fresh Coriander Leaves: Chopped fresh coriander leaves (cilantro) add a burst of freshness and colour to the finished dish.

Ingredients:

200 grams paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese)

1 Large Onion

2 Tomatoes

1-2 Green Chillies

1 tsp Ginger-Garlic Paste

1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder

1 tsp Red Chilli Powder

1 tsp Coriander Powder

1/2 tsp Garam Masala

Salt to taste

2 tbsp Oil or Ghee

Fresh Coriander Leaves for Garnishing.

Instructions:

Prepare Ingredients: Crumble the paneer and finely chop the onions, tomatoes, and green chillies. Prepare ginger-garlic paste if not already done.

Sauté Onions: Heat 1/2 tbsp Oil to Ghee in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent and golden brown.

Add Ginger-Garlic Paste & Chopped Green Chillies to the pan. Sauté for a minute until the raw smell disappears.

Add Tomatoes: Add chopped tomatoes to the pan and cook until they soften and break down, stirring occasionally.

Spices: Once the tomatoes are cooked, add the turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and salt to taste. Mix it well and cook for a couple of minutes to allow the spices to blend and cook.

Add Crumbled Paneer: Add crumbled paneer to the pan and mix it well with the onion-tomato mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring gently to combine all the ingredients evenly.

Garnish: Garnish Paneer Bhurji with freshly chopped coriander leaves (cilantro).

Serve: Paneer Bhurji is ready to be served! Serve hot with roti, paratha, or bread of your choice.

Enjoy your homemade Paneer Bhurji as a delicious and protein-rich vegetarian dish!