Ingredients:
- 14 oz (400g) paneer, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tbsp (8g) cornstarch
- 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil
- ½ tsp (3g) salt
- 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil
- 1 large (150g) onion, finely diced
- 1 tbsp (15g) ginger paste
- 1 tbsp (15g) garlic paste
- 2 medium (120g) tomatoes, pureed
- 2 (5g) green chilies, slit lengthwise
- ½ cup (120ml) low-fat plain Greek yogurt, whisked
- 1 tsp (3g) ground turmeric
- 1 tbsp (8g) Kashmiri red chili powder
- 1 tsp (2g) garam masala
- 1 tsp (5g) salt
- 1 cup (240ml) water
- ½ cup (20g) fresh basil leaves, chiffonaded
- 1 tbsp (15ml) fresh lemon juice
Instructions:
- Toss the paneer cubes with cornstarch and salt until lightly coated. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat and fry the cubes for 2-3 minutes per side until a mahogany-colored crust forms. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the remaining 2 tbsp oil. Sauté the diced onions until translucent and golden. Stir in the ginger and garlic pastes and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the tomato puree and slit green chilies to the pan; cook until the oil begins to separate from the edges of the masala.
- Lower the heat to medium-low. Stir in the turmeric, Kashmiri red chili powder, and salt.
- Slowly fold in the whisked low-fat Greek yogurt, stirring constantly to prevent curdling.
- Pour in the water or vegetable broth and simmer for 5-7 minutes until the gravy reaches a velvety consistency.
- Gently stir in the seared paneer cubes and garam masala, simmering for another 2 minutes to heat through.
- Turn off the heat. Fold in the fresh chiffonaded basil leaves and lemon juice immediately before serving to preserve the aromatic oils.