What is Paneer Makhni?
Paneer Makhni is a Punjabi dish that originated in the state of Punjab in northern India. It's made with paneer cheese, tomatoes and cream or butter. The sauce is usually thickened with flour or corn starch and seasoned with garam masala spice blend.
Paneer makhani can be served with naan bread or rice pilaf, but we recommend pairing it with some fluffy basmati rice for an extra-special dinner experience!
History of Paneer Makhni
Paneer Makhni is a popular Indian dish that has its origins in the state of Punjab. The word "makhni" means creamy, and paneer makhni is made by cooking paneer (a type of cheese) with tomatoes, onions and spices.
The first recorded mention of this dish was made in the 19th century by British officers who were stationed in India at that time. They described it as being similar to dishes from their homeland such as cottage pie or shepherd's pie--both meat-based dishes with potatoes on top. However, over time it evolved into what we know today: vegetarian but no less delicious!
Health Benefits of Paneer Makhni
Paneer makhni is a delicious dish that contains many nutrients. It's made with paneer, a soft cheese that comes from cow's milk, as well as butter and cream. Paneer makhni has a creamy texture similar to chicken tikka masala and other Indian curries.
Paneer makhni is high in calcium, which helps build strong bones and teeth. It also contains vitamin B12 (cobalamin), which helps keep your brain healthy by supporting nerve function and blood formation.*
The health benefits of paneer makhni include:
- High in protein - One serving provides over 20% of the daily value (DV) for protein.*
- Provides essential amino acids - These are building blocks for muscle tissue.*
- Low sodium - A single serving of this dish contains less than 1 gram of sodium.*
Serving Suggestions for Paneer Makhni
Paneer Makhni is a delicious dish that goes well with most Indian dishes. It can be paired with any type of rice or naan, but it's especially nice when served with Jeera Rice and Mint Raita.
You can also serve Paneer Makhni as an accompaniment to other curries such as Butter Chicken or Palak Paneer. For example, if you're making Butter Chicken for dinner guests, try serving them with some paneer makhni on the side! You could also garnish your dish with fresh cilantro leaves or chopped green onions--they add great flavor!
Tips for Making Paneer Makhni
- Choose the right ingredients: Paneer makhni is a delicious dish, but it's not one you want to mess up. To make sure that your paneer makhni turns out just right, choose fresh ingredients and pay attention to how they're prepared.
- Cooking methods: Don't be afraid of making this recipe at home! It's easy once you know what steps need to be taken in order for everything to turn out perfectly cooked.
- Marinating: Before cooking your paneer makhni, marinate it overnight so that all of its flavors have time to soak into each other properly--you'll taste the difference!
Variations of Paneer Makhni
Paneer Makhni has many variations. In the north, it's often made with whole spices and cream. In the south, it's made with coconut milk instead of dairy products. Some people prefer to make their paneer makhni vegan by substituting ghee for vegetable oil or butter--and others enjoy making this dish spicy by adding chili powder or cayenne pepper!
In addition to these regional differences in ingredients and preparation methods, there are also many ways that you can personalize your own version of Paneer Makhni according to your tastes: if you like things spicy hot (or mild) then feel free to add more or less spice as desired; if you don't have any fresh tomatoes on hand but still want some extra tomato flavor in your dish then try adding some tomato paste instead; if you want something truly unique then try adding some fresh herbs like basil leaves or cilantro (coriander) while cooking
