Serve this fusion Indo-Chinese chili paneer at home
Chili paneer is a fusion dish that combines Indian spices with Chinese cooking methods, creating a unique flavor. This vegetarian dish, originating from Kolkata's Chinese community, has gained popularity across India. It features a spicy and tangy sauce with soft paneer cubes, showcasing the harmony between the two cuisines. Ready to experience this culinary blend? Let's start cooking!
Gather the following ingredients
For chili paneer, you need 200 grams of paneer (cubed), two tablespoons cornflour, one tablespoon all-purpose flour, salt, two tablespoons oil, one green bell pepper and two onions (both chopped into squares), three cloves garlic and an inch of ginger (finely chopped), two slit green chilies, three tablespoons soy sauce; one tablespoon each of vinegar and tomato ketchup, and water as necessary.
Prepare the paneer
Marinate the paneer cubes by preparing a batter with cornflour, all-purpose flour, salt and water. It should be thin enough to coat the paneer evenly. Dip each cube into the batter, ensuring coverage. Fry them in a pan with medium heat until golden brown on all sides. Then place the paneer on kitchen paper to drain off excess oil.
Saute vegetables and spices
After paneer is fried and excess oil removed, add garlic, ginger, and green chilies to the same pan. Saute these ingredients for around two minutes until their aroma becomes noticeable. Subsequently, introduce the chopped green bell pepper and onions to the pan. On high heat, stir-fry the vegetables for two to three minutes, taking care to preserve their crunchiness for texture.
Prepare the sauce
Reduce the heat to medium and incorporate soy sauce, vinegar, and tomato ketchup into the pan with the sauteed vegetables. To achieve the desired consistency of a thick glaze-like sauce that will evenly coat the ingredients, add water as necessary. It should not be overly runny or excessively dry. Stir thoroughly to ensure all components are well combined and evenly mixed.
Combine paneer with vegetables
Return the golden-brown paneer cubes to the pan, blending them with the sauteed vegetables and aromatic sauce. Carefully mix, ensuring each cube is enveloped in the spicy, tangy sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer for two minutes, facilitating a melding of flavors. This crucial step ensures that every bite is infused with a rich fusion of Indo-Chinese essence, completing the dish's culinary journey.
