Achaari Paneer Fry: 15-Min Recipe

Lengthy marination certainly enhances the taste of paneer. But paneer can be made quickly and tastily in a matter of minutes too.

Zelda Pande's 15-Minute Achaari Paneer will make family and guests happy.

Allot about 10 minutes, of the 15 minutes time required to make this dish, for frying up the paneer lightly in a pan.
And then quickly season it and serve along with sliced onions, with garam rotis, naans, parathas, puris, rice-dal or have as a snack or starter.

Ingredients

• 500 gm paneer, cut into 1-inch by ½-inch rectangles
• 2 tsp oil for the baghar or tadka or seasoning + oil to fry the paneer
• 1 tsp rai or mustard seeds
• ½ tsp hing or asafoetida
• 1 tsp kalonji or nigella seeds
• 3-4 tbsp Mother's mango pickle
• 1-2 tsp kasuri methi or dried fenugreek leaves
• Salt to taste, very little may be required, if at all, because the pickle has salt
• Sliced onions, for serving

Method

• In a non-stick frying pan, over low heat, fry the paneer pieces in 2-3 tbsp oil on all sides, till they are pinkish.
  Keep aside.
• In a heavy-bottomed saucepan or a kadhai, heat the oil for the tadka or seasoning over medium heat and add the rai, hing and kalonji.
  Let the tadka splutter for about a minute.
  Then add the paneer pieces and mix.
  Start adding the pickle, 1 tbsp at a time, toss the paneer pieces lightly to mix in the pickle and taste and add then add more pickle if required and repeat the mixing process.
  Add salt, only if needed.
• Serve hot.