Restaurant Style Chilli Paneer

INGREDIENTS

For frying the paneer:

• 250 grams paneer cut into cubes
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black ground pepper
• water to make a free flowing batter, little less than 1/2 cup
• Vegetable or canola oil for frying

For Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 30 ml, I used 1 tablespoon regular soy sauce and 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 15 ml
• 3 teaspoons green chili sauce 15 ml
• 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup 30 ml
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar

For Cornstarch mixture:

• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

For Stir-Fry:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium red onion chopped in cubes
• 1 green pepper cut into squares
• 1 tablespoon chopped ginger
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1 stalk celery finely chopped
• 1 green chili sliced
• 3-4 tablespoons water
• Few green onions chopped, for garnishing

METHOD

• Cut paneer into Cubes as per your preference.

• In a large bowl, add 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 3 tablespoons flour Add salt and pepper.

• Add water to make a good batter not too watery or not too thick approximately 1/2 cup.

• Heat oil in a wok/kadai on medium heat for frying the paneer.

• Dunk each paneer cubes into the batter and gently slide them to the hot oil

• Fry until the paneer pieces get light brown from all sides.

• When done take out the paneer from oil and place aside.

• Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of water until cornstarch totally disolves.

• In a bowl, add soy sauce, vinegar, green chilli sauce, ketchup and sugar. Mix well.

• Heat up oil in a pan in medium-high intensity.

• When oil is hot, add the ginger, garlic and Saute for 1 moment.

• Then add the chopped onion and bell peppers.

• Cook for 2 minutes on high heat.

• The vegetables should to remain crunchy but not burned.

• Now add the prepared sauce mixture to it.

• Add the cornstarch blend.

• Toss everything well.

• When the sauce starts to thicken. Add extra 3 to 4 tablespoons water, if needed.

• Add the paneer cubes and mix well with all the ingredients.

• Turn off heat and garnish with green onions.

• Serve hot.