Paneer Capsicum Recipe | How to make Paneer Capsicum Sabzi

Paneer Shimla Mirch or Paneer Capsicum sabzi is a very simple sabzi to make. This sabzi has many variations but majorly it is either dry preparation or a curry type or semi gravy preparation. In this post, you are going to see the dry preparation for paneer shimla mirch sabzi.

Paneer Shimla Mirch Sabzi

This recipe is for the dry preparation of paneer and capsicum.

Paneer is loved by all. Any combination of paneer can awake the taste buds of any paneer lover. Paneer and Capsicum is an infallible combination. A little tweak of spices can lift the taste of this combination and can make this simple sabzi into an exotic preparation.

Paneer Capsicum or Paneer Shimla Mirch sabzi is one popular combo. Other very popular combinations of paneer are palak paneer gravy, paneer makhni , paneer tikka, paneer jalfrezi, chilly paneer, mater paneer and the list can go on forever.

This recipe here is a very simple preparation and easy to do. Paneer Capsicum sabzi prepared with very basic masala and a very quick preparation as well.

To make Paneer Shimla Mirch sabzi, Paneer can be prepared at home as well. I used the ready made frozen paneer. If you are going to use store bought paneer , it should be kept refrigerated. When you are planning to cook paneer capsicum sabzi or any other paneer preparation, keep it out of refrigerator one hour before. Here is the detailed recipe.

Recipe Details : Paneer Shimla Mirch / Capsicum Sabji

Ingredients for Paneer Shimla Mirch / Capsicum Sabzi

Paneer : 200 gm (cut in cubes)

Capsicum : 2 (cut into big pieces)

Chopped Onion : 1

Chopped Tomatoes : 2

Chopped Green Chili : 2

Ginger Paste :  1 tsp

Cumin Seeds  : 1 tsp

Coriander Powder : 1/2 tsp

Garam Masala : 1/2 tsp

Turmeric Powder : 1/4 tsp

Asafoetida : 1/4 tsp

Salt to taste

Cooking Oil : 1 tbsp

How to make Paneer Shimla Mirch / Capsicum Sabji

I have used frozen paneer for this recipe. First of all, heat 2 cups of water and add asafoetida in it. Soak paneer cubes in this water for 10 minutes. Adding asafoetida gives paneer a flavor. If you do not like asafoetida with paneer, you can avoid adding it in water. Sometimes I add kasoori methi in hot water and than soak the frozen paneer in it. After 10 minutes, paneer becomes soft. Homemade paneer does not need soaking in hot water. Drain the water and keep the paneer cubes aside.  Heat oil.

When oil is medium hot, add cumin seeds and let crackle. Once the cumin seeds crackle and you get the aromatic smell , add chopped onion and fry for a while. Let onion be translucent. Now add dry spices turmeric powder and coriander powder. Add ginger paste now. Cook for 30 seconds on low flames. Keep stirring with spatula else spice powder can stick to the bottom and burn.

Once the masala is roasted, add chopped tomato. Along with tomatoes, and salt. Cook till tomato is tender and mushy. Once tomato reach that mushiness, add capsicum pieces. Cook capsicum in a covered pan on low flames. We have to cook in covered pan till the capsicum is half done. It may take around 3 - 4 minutes. Keep stirring occasionally.

When capsicum is cooked as per the preferences, add paneer cubes in it. Mix slow else paneer cubes might break. As I already soaked paneer in hot / warm water, it wont be taking more than 2 minutes on flmaes.

Turn the flames off and keep the pan covered for another 5 - 7 minutes. Paneer Shimla mirch sabzi is ready. Now sprinkle garam masala.

Paneer Shimla Mirch sabzi is ready and can be served with chapati / paratha / naan or any kind of flat bread. 

Is Paneer and Cottage Cheese same ?

Yes, Paneer in english is called Cottage Cheese or Indian Cottage Cheese.

Is Paneer good for health ?

Yes, Paneer is rich in calcium, selenium, potassium and full of protein.

How can we make paneer at home ?

Boil milk and turn the flames off.  Now add 1 spoon of lemon juice at a time and keep stirring milk in one direction lightly. Keep adding lemon juice slowly and stir slow. When it curdles, stop adding lemon juice. Now take a cheese clothe and sieve through. The solid in cloth is paneer and the liquid is whey.