A soft and sizzling North Indian accompaniment, Paneer Bhurji is a worth making dish for a lazy brunch or different dinner. This Punjabi speciality made using scrambled Indian cottage cheese or paneer is easy to make, spicy and goes well with any Indian bread. Here is how to make Paneer Bhurji at home.
Paneer is very versatile and a blessing, considering it can be put to use whenever there aren’t sufficient vegetables at home, or can be packed into the kid’s lunchboxes. I often have a slab at paneer with me at home, and use it to make fillings such as the Baked Paneer Rolls, in gravies like Shahi Matar Paneer and Lahsooni Methi Paneer and and bites like Mango Mint Paneer Tikka.
But, most of all, Paneer Bhurji is a very popular dish prepared across India. Every Dhaba or Indian Restaurant have it in their menu.
On our recent trip to Amritsar, I enjoyed the Dhaba Style Paneer Bhurji for a lot of our meals. The homemade version of this recipe taste pretty awesome too.
This North Indian recipe is often eaten with rotis for breakfast, but can be eaten at any time of the day. Made using crumbled paneer with spices and tomatoes, it is nutritious and an easy replacement for egg bhurji for vegetarians.
What is Paneer Bhurji?
Paneer Bhurji is scrambled paneer or Indian cottage cheese stir fried with Indian spices. It is a great protein rich dish for the vegetarians and can be made in under 15 minutes.
Tips for making the best Paneer Bhurji at home
- Mostly, I like using homemade paneer (Indian cottage cheese) to make this sabzi. It crumbles well and is very soft in texture. However, you can also use ready-made paneer if you are running short on time.
- Because fresh greens and paneer go really well together, I ensure that I do not miss adding them. Therefore, make sure to add chopped green chillies, ginger garlic, chopped coriander (fresh coriander leaves). Greens like methi and spinach can also be chopped and added to paneer bhurji to make it even more healthier and tastier.
- Add some readymade puree if the tomatoes are not ripe and juicy. It will give a very nice taste to the bhurji.
- Adding a bit of Pav Bhaji Masala to the Bhurji gives it a typical Mumbai Thelewala taste. Do try adding it. I am sure you will love the change.
- To give a smoky Dhaba style taste to the Paneer Bhuji, you can give a dhungar to the ready dish.
Benefits of eating Paneer
- Paneer contains a great amount of calcium. As a result, it is very good for the health of our bones as well as teeth.
- Moreover, Paneer is also good for diabetics as it has less amount carbohydrates.
- Most importantly, Paneer aids metabolism, immunity and also controls blood pressure.
- Want to shed some weight? Eat paneer. Yes, it bolsters weight loss.
Lastly, before you get all the more tempted, here I am presenting its quick recipe for you guys. Make sure to mark Paneer Bhurji on your weekly menu and let me know how it turned out?
How to make Paneer Bhurji with Capsicum?
Capsicum goes really well in Paneer Burji. To make Paneer Bhurji with capsicum, dice the capsicum in small cubes and add along with paneer. You don’t want to overcook the capsicum and it should have a slight crunch.
What to serve with Paneer Bhurji?
It can be served with Paratha or Roti.
I sometimes make a little gravy and serve it with rice too.
It tastes delicious with pav or bread slices.
Make a sandwich from the leftover paneer bhurji.
Variations of Paneer Bhurji
Jain – To make a Jain version of this bhurji, do not add onion, ginger and garlic in the recipe. Add 1/2 cup of fresh tomato puree instead.
With Methi – Chop fresh methi leaves and add them in the bhurji along with teh paneer.
With Cheese – Top the warm Paneer Bhurji with processed cheese.
With Egg – You can add a few eggs along with panner and scramble them in teh masala.
With Peas – Peas or Matar makes a great addition in this recipe.
In Makhani Gravy – You can make a Makhani gravy like Paneer Butter Masala and instead of adding paneer cubes, add crumbled panner.
You might also like
How to make Paneer Bhurji Step by Step
Heat ghee/ oil in a pan.
Once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds and hing. Let them crackle for a few seconds.
Add onion, ginger and garlic and fry until onion is slightly browned.
Now, add tomato and green chilli and cook for another minute.
Next, add coriander powder, turmeric powder, pav bhaji masala and red chilli powder and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Crumble the paneer and add it in the pan along with salt, cumin powder, garam masala powder and lemon juice and mix well. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot.
Paneer Bhurji Video Recipe
Paneer Bhurji Recipe
Paneer Bhurji
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Oil or Ghee
- 2 tbsp Ghee
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 1/4 tsp Hing
- 1 cup Onion Finely chopped
- 1 tsp Ginger Finely chopped
- 1 tsp Garlic Finely Chopped
- 1/2 cup Tomato Finely chopped
- 2 tsp Green chilli Finely chopped
- 1 tsp Coriander Powder
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
- 2 tsp Pav Bhaji Masala I used Everest Brand.
- 1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
- 1 and 1/2 cup Fresh Homemade Paneer
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp Roasted cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp Garam masala powder
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 2 tbsp Fresh coriander Chopped
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan.
- Once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds and hing.
- Let them crackle for a few seconds.
Add onion, ginger and garlic and fry until onion is slightly browned.
Now, add tomato and green chilli and cook for another minute.
Next, add coriander powder, turmeric powder, pav bhaji masala and red chilli powder and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Crumble the paneer and add it in the pan along with salt, cumin powder, garam masala powder and lemon juice and mix well.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot.
Are you making this recipe? I LOVE to see your creations so snap a photo and tag Whiskaffair on Instagram with the hashtag #Whiskaffair and please give a star rating below ★. You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more such easy recipes.
Leave a Reply