Bengali cuisine
Paneer
Festive recipe
Beginner
For 2 people

Milky, Buttery & Flavourful Paneer for Bhai Phota


A celebratory Bengali dish for the sibling festival Bhai Phota, this milky Paneer features soft paneer cubes in a vibrant buttery gravy fragranced with spices. The Sunrise Paneer Butter Masala and Sunrise Red Chilli powder lend warming notes. Frying with a few dollops of ghee rounds out the dish with richness. Though simple to make, this Bhai Phota Special Paneer tastes festive enough for the happy occasion!

Ingredients

  • Paneer (cubed)

    300 g
  • Flour (maida)

    2 tsp
  • Milk

    1 tsp
  • Fresh Cream

    2 tsp
  • Tomato Ketchup

    1 tsp
  • Butter

    2 tsp
  • Ghee

    2 tsp
  • Onion

    1 (finely chopped or as needed)
  • Sunrise Paneer Butter Masala

    1 tsp
  • Sunrise Red Chilli Powder

    1 tsp
  • Sugar

    1 tsp
  • Salt

    to taste

Sunrise tip: While Paneer Butter Masala is a North Indian classic, it’s often lovingly adapted in Bengali homes during festive occasions like Bhai Phota.

 

Steps

Step 1: Make the Mixture

Time: 5 minutes

Take a large bowl, add maida, fresh cream, milk, and tomato ketchup and mix them well.

 

Step 2: Sauté the Paneer Cubes

Time: 3 minutes

Heat ghee in a kadai or wok. Add paneer cubes and fry them until golden on all sides.

Once fried, keep them aside in cold water.

 

Step 3: Cook the onion masala

Time: 10 minutes

Heat some butter in another pan, add sliced onions and fry them until they are golden-brown.

Add salt to taste, the above-prepared mixture and stir well until fragrant enough.

Add the fried paneer cubes and mix them well.

 

Step 4: Add Spices

Time: 5 minutes

Mix in Sunrise Paneer Butter Masala, Sunrise Red Chilli powder, some water and stir well.

Keep cooking for 3-5 minutes until the flavours meld properly.

 

Step 5: Garnish and serve

Time: 1 minute

Transfer the Bhai Phota Special Paneer to a serving bowl and garnish with a swirl of cream.

Serve hot with crisp puris, flaky parathas, or steamed rice. A side of crunchy papadums rounds out the festive meal perfectly.

 

Goes Best With

  • Side Dish: Puri or ajwain paratha

  • Accompaniment: Roasted papadum