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!
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.
Time: 5 minutes
Take a large bowl, add maida, fresh cream, milk, and tomato ketchup and mix them well.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Side Dish: Puri or ajwain paratha
Accompaniment: Roasted papadum