Basically it is a Vegetarian version of chicken ghee roast from Mangalore in Coastal Karnataka . Original ghee roast recipe is said to have it’s origin in Kundapur near Mangalore, and gradually vegetarians have adapted this to a veg roast recipe made with paneer and call it Paneer ghee roast. Like chicken Paneer is ideal base to soak up all the flavours of spices. And a liberal use of easily available spices makes this a super flavourful dry paneer curry. I sometimes simply roll it up in a tortilla and paratha to pack it for office lunch box.
How To Make Paneer Ghee Roast - Step by Step
For making Paneer ghee roast, marinated paneer is roasted in ghee/clarified butter with freshly made ghee roast masala. I make the ghee roast masala by dry roasting the aromatic spices and then grinding them. Kashmiri red chilli lends a beautiful red colour without adding too much heat and bedayagi chilli adds perfect amount of heat and a distinct taste to this paneer dish.
Ingredients for ghee roast
Spices/Herbs - You need basic South Indian Spices and herbs for making this. Coriander seeds, Cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, Black peppercorns, Bedayagi chilli , Kashmiri Red chilli, Tamarind paste, Turmeric powder, Salt to taste Dairy- Paneer, Curd/yogurt, Ghee Vegetables- Ginger, garlic, grated Onion, Curry leaves
First of all you need to dry roast whole spices, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, whole peppercorns, fenugreek seeds and dry chillies on slow to medium heat. Next step is making ghee roast masala. For that grind freshly roasted spices, ginger, garlic, turmeric, tamarind paste by adding little amount of water. Grind to make smooth ghee roast masala paste. In a pan heat up ghee and fry paneer cubes till golden brown. Drain and keep them aside.
Next step is to cook the masala, for that in the same pan saute’ onions and curry leaves till onion change colour and become translucent. Next add in masala paste, curd/yogurt and fry the masala till ghee separates from masala. Add fried paneer and mix well to coat it nicely. Serve dry paneer ghee roast either with dosa, chapati or parotta.