PaneerButterMasala/Paneer Masala

                                                  I have a great addiction towards paneer....Atleast once in a week i cook paneer.......If i miss it a week i feel too bad for that :).But this receipe I should tell you I got it right after so many trial versions....minimum 20! not less than that...because I used to wonder how they prepare in hotels , rich creamy , tasty and what not.Now i got the secret.....




INGREDIENTS
PANEER-1 cup
Refined oil or Butter-5 to 6 tablespoons
Onion-2
tomato-1 small
tomato ketchup- 2 tablespoon
garlic-2 pods
ginger- 1 small piece
jeera powder- 1 teaspoon
garam masala-1/2 teaspoon
freshcream- 1 table spoon
kashmiri chilli powder-1 teaspoon
coriander powder-1 teaspoon
turmeric powder-1/2 teaspoon
shajeera-2  teaspoon
whole cashews - 10 / broken cashews-20
sugar-1 teaspoon
salt- as required

Preparation
         Pour some water in cashews and keep it aside for minimum of 15 minutes.Pour 3 tablespoon of oil/butter in a pan  and add  1 teaspoon shajeera,kasoori methi and let it splutter.Now add chopped onion and saute it well in low flame until you get brown colour.Please make sure you saute it very well that it turns from pink to brown so that you get a nice taste for gravy.then add ginger garlic paste and saute for 1 minute or two until you get a nice flavour
of masala. now add turmeric powder then chopped tomatoes and little salt and saute well until tomatoes are smashed well and add kashmiri chilli powder,coriander powder and saute for 2 minutes. Now grind cashews in to a smooth paste and add the grinded paste and allow cook it for 2 minutes . now add fresh milk(without boiling) as required, to this cooking paste so that you get good gravy consistency.now add jeera powder,garam masala to it and allow it to boil.Once it starts boiling add tomato ketchup(optional).Now add sliced paneer cubes to the gravy and cook for few minutes.If needed you can saute paneer in 1 tablespoon butter for a minute or two(optional).Now add fresh cream,sugar to the gravy and serve hot.

THE PICS

Add butter

Add shajeera,kasoori methi

Add onion,turmeric

Saute well

Add spices,ketchup

Add tomato mix well

Addsalt let it cook five minutes

Now cashew paste

Mix well,add sugar

Add paneer,kasoori methi

Switch off stove after 2 minutes

Paneer butter masala is ready

Tips
As i said good taste of gravy depend much on onion sauting until brown in low flame.(caramelizing onions).check the picture.
Prefer adding butter for better taste than oil though not compulsory.
Its a mild sweet tasting dish for those who dislike it , tomato ketchup can be avoided.