Paneer Kolhapuri is a fiery red Indian gravy recipe with soft paneer pieces.

It is made using a special mix of spices called the Kolhapuri masala from which it also derives its name. I have listed down in detail the ingredients of this masala, each of them has to be dry roasted and then coarsely powdered together along with the fried onions. You can also make this masala in bulk and store in a glass jar and use as and when required.

It is a shahi style of cooking as it includes cashew nuts, desiccated coconut, sesame seeds and poppy seeds. My kid has enjoyed this gravy with roti, so I'm planning to include this as a menu in his lunch box as well.

You must be wondering, snacks box and lunch boxes gets so much mentioned in my posts these days. Well, my son is in grade 1 now (see pic below) and he has to carry tiffins to school everyday. I keep scratching my head on what to pack in his boxes as he is a picky eater and hence keep on trying new dishes and checking if it is to his liking. Anything which he enjoys and eats by himself, he gets in his tiffin :P :P :P





Ingredients: 
Paneer - 200 gms, cut into cubes
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
Tomato - 1 medium, chopped
Green chilli - 1-2, chopped
Turmeric powder -1/4 tsp
Coriander powder -1 tsp
Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
Salt - to taste
Coriander leaves - for garnishing
Oil

For Kolhapuri masala
Onion - 1 small, fried till golden brown
Grated coconut - 2 tbsp
Dried red chillis - 5-6
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Coriander seeds - 1/2 tsp
Methi seeds - 1/4 tsp
Sesame seeds - 1 tsp
Poppy seeds - 1 tsp
Black peppercorns - 5-6
Cinnamon stick - 1 inch
Green cardamom - 2

Method:
Dry roast all the ingredients mentioned under kolhapuri masala and grind to a coarse powder along with fried onions. Keep aside

In a non stick pan, shallow fry the paneer pieces. Keep aside

In a kadhai, heat oil and splutter the cumin seeds

Add the grounded kolhapuri masala and saute for few minutes

Add ginger garlic paste, tomatoes, green chillies, turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chilli powder and salt. Cook till oil separates

Add water and bring to boil

Add in the paneer pieces and cook till the desired consistency of the gravy is achieved

Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with roti/naan/rice

that's my kid, graduated to Grade 1 :)