Tender potatoes, cubes of fresh cheese and a spiced tomato sauce: aalu paneer, also spelled aloo paneer, is a comforting vegetarian dish from northern India, enjoyed with rice or Indian bread.
In this article, find out what its name means, what paneer is, the ingredients and steps to make it, its cousins and how to serve it.
On this page: What is aalu paneer? · Paneer · Ingredients · The steps · Its cousins · 3-question quiz
What is aalu paneer?
In Hindi, aloo (or aalu) means potato and paneer is a fresh cheese. The dish brings them together in a sauce made with onions, tomatoes and spices, more or less creamy depending on the household. It is an everyday vegetarian dish, simple and generous.
Paneer, a cheese that does not melt
Paneer is made by curdling hot milk with an acid, such as lemon juice, and pressing the curds. This mild fresh cheese does not melt when cooked: it keeps its cube shape, whether simmered in a sauce or grilled, as in paneer tikka.
The ingredients
| Ingredient | Role |
|---|---|
| Potatoes | Bring softness and substance |
| Paneer | Adds a mild milky taste and holds its shape |
| Onion, garlic, ginger, green chilli | Form the aromatic base |
| Tomatoes | Make the sauce |
| Cumin, turmeric, coriander, garam masala | Flavour the dish, to taste |
| Cream or cashew paste (in some versions) | Make the sauce silkier |
The preparation steps
Without exact quantities, here are the main steps:
- Pre-cook the diced potatoes, boiled or pan-fried, so they stay whole.
- Fry the cumin seeds in hot oil, then the onion, garlic, ginger and chilli.
- Add the tomatoes and ground spices and cook until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in the potatoes and paneer, then simmer gently for a few minutes.
- Finish with fresh coriander, and perhaps a little cream.
Its cousins in Indian cuisine
- Matar paneer: paneer and peas in sauce.
- Palak paneer: paneer in a spiced spinach purée.
- Aloo matar: potatoes and peas, without cheese.
- Paneer tikka: marinated and grilled paneer cubes.
How to serve it
- With basmati rice, or an Indian bread such as roti, paratha or naan.
- As part of a shared meal, with a dal and a vegetable dish.
- Discover another Indian classic in our article on chicken chilli.
Test your knowledge
Three questions to recap the essentials. Your answers are not saved.
Flavours of India in Isoraka
Quantum Isoraka welcomes you in Isoraka, Antananarivo, to discover the flavours of India, including paneer dishes, with family, friends or colleagues.
Book a table at Quantum Isoraka.
