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 Method

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

Method
 

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