Paneer is crumbled and spiced, then formed into nuggets, then coated in a corn starch before deep frying and then coated with a classic 65 masala. It’s crunchy from the outside and chewy from the inside!

Chicken 65 is an all time favorite in my house. I had a slab of Paneer that I forgot to use for a dinner party and decided to spice it up and turn it into this recipe which looks exactly like Chicken. I totally had my kids fooled, till they bit into it of course, but they enjoyed the chewy exterior and the soft interior. This recipe is a keeper!

Paneer 65 Pakoras

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Ingredients
  

Paneer

  • 400 gms Paneer
  • Salt to taste
  • 1/2 tsp crushed Pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric
  • 1/2 red Chilli powder
  • 1 tsp cut Curry leaves
  • 2 tsps sliced green Chillies
  • 1 tsp each minced Ginger & Garlic
  • 4 tbsps Corn starch
  • 1 – 2 tbsps Water
  • 1/2 – 1 cup Corn starch slurry

Masala

  • 1 cup finely diced Onion
  • 1 tbsp Chilli sliced diagonally
  • 1/2 cup Curry leaves
  • 1 tsp Chilli powder
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric
  • 1 tsp Cumin powder
  • 2 tbsps Ginger & Garlic paste
  • 2 tbsps Chilli Garlic paste or Sambal Oelek
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • Pinch red food colouring mixed in a few drops of Water

Instructions
 

  • Cut the paneer into small cubes and mash the paneer
  • Add salt to taste, pepper, turmeric, chilli powder, curry leaves, green chillies, ginger and garlic and the corn starch
  • Add the water and form this into irregular nugget shapes
  • Dip this in the cornstarch slurry and deep fry it and then drain on kitchen towel
  • Prepare the masala by sautéing the onion and chilli in hot oil
  • Add the curry leaves, chilli, turmeric and cumin powder and the ginger and garlic paste
  • Add the chilli garlic paste and salt and pepper
  • Add the food colouring and finally the paneer and allow it to get coated in the masala