Chaman Kaliya (Paneer in Yellow Gravy)
Active time: 35 minutes | Total time: 45 minutes
4 servings
This Kashmiri recipe from author and chef Romy Gill channels the best of the region’s cooking: a simple technique with a delectable result, full of complex flavors from the layering of spaces. Gill calls it a “beautiful, tasty bowl of yellow sunshine,” and it is. To make this dish vegan, substitute extra-firm tofu for the paneer and full-fat coconut milk for the dairy milk.
Storage Notes: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Where to Buy: Mustard oil, asafetida (hing), dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi), black cardamom and Indian green chiles can be found in Indian and some international markets. Paneer can also be found there, as well as in many well-stocked supermarkets.
INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons mustard oil (may substitute neutral vegetable oil,
such as sunflower)
1 pound paneer (may substitute extra-firm tofu, drained and
patted dry), cut into cubes
8 green cardamom pods
4 black cardamom pods
4 whole cloves
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
3 dried bay leaves
2 whole Indian green chiles, such as Kashmiri (may substitute Thai
green chiles or serrano chiles), halved lengthwise
1 1⁄2 teaspoons ground fennel
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon fine salt
1⁄21 teaspoon asafetida powder (hing)
1 1⁄4 cups hot water
1 ⁄4 cups whole milk (may substitute full-fat coconut milk) 1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)
Cooked rice, for serving
DIRECTIONS
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil until it shimmers. Add the paneer and fry until lightly browned on all sides, about 2 minutes per side. (The paneer tends to sputter in oil; use a splatter guard if needed.) Transfer to a plate.
Add the green and black cardamom, cloves, cumin seeds and bay leaves to the pan and cook, stirring, until very fragrant, about 1 minute, then add the chiles, fennel, turmeric, ginger, salt and asafetida. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute, then pour in the hot water.
Increase the heat and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat until the liquid is simmering, add the fried paneer and cook until the water slightly reduces, about 3 minutes. Pour in the milk and cook until the gravy thickens, 8 to 10 minutes.
Stir in the fenugreek leaves, divide among serving bowls and serve hot with rice.
Nutrition information per serving
(1⁄2 cup, without rice) | Calories:
502; Total Fat: 38 g; Saturated Fat: 19 g; Cholesterol: 91 mg; Sodium:
714 mg; Carbohydrates: 17 g;
Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 9 g;
Protein: 32 g
Adapted from
“On the
Himalayan
Trail:
Recipes and
Stories from
Kashmir to Ladakh” by
Romy Gill
(Hardie
Grant, 2022).