
Kashmiri Paneer (Cottage Cheese) in Tomato-Fennel Curry | Kashmiri Tamatar Chaman
Today’s recipe is Kashmiri Paneer or Cottage Cheese in Fennel flavoured Tomato Curry or Kashmiri Tamatar Chaman. A popular Kashmiri paneer preparation made with pieces of fried paneer (cottage cheese) simmered in tomato sauce flavoured with spices and fennel seeds. It makes a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
Kashmiri Paneer (Cottage Cheese) in Tomato – Fennel Curry an extremely delicious Kashmiri Indian preparation can be enjoyed as a side dish with naan, Indian style flat bread or with hot steamed rice.
Paneer never ceases to lure hubby or me to the dinner table. Paneer or cottage cheese is a type of fresh cheese or white cheese very common in Indian cuisine. It can be easily made at home with milk, itβs completely vegetarian. Paneer is very versatile ingredient and has a delicate flavour which is used in a variety dishes from curries to desserts to sides. It is moist and soft and is crumbly in texture that goes beautifully with strong flavours and is also one of my all time favourite ingredients. π
I always find myself carried away by the aroma and appearance of this sumptuous dish prepared with paneer (cottage cheese) in tomato gravy.
The sweet aroma of fennel elevates this ordinary tomato based curry to something quite elaborate. You would be surprised how simple this recipe is. It is ideal to cook this with fresh tomatoes, which are blanched (boiled whole and then skinned) and then added to the curry although you can also use tinned plum tomatoes ( which I do!! ) or tomato puree which gives it a thick gravy and also is a quick option. Thatβs my little cheat! π


- 250 grams Paneer ( Cottage Cheese), cubed
- 5 Tomatoes, blanched
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 1 inch Ginger
- 3-4 cloves Garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 inch Cinnamon
- 3-4 Cloves
- 2 Green cardamom
- 2 bay leaf
- a pinch of hing( asafoetida)
- 1 teaspoon Fennel powder
- 3-4 tablespoon Oil
- 1 teaspoon Chilli powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- salt as per taste
- Add onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic in a mixer and grind it to a fine paste.
- Heat 2 tablespoon oil for shallow frying paneer. Fry the paneer pieces in batches. You basically just want to get a golden hue in places.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and keep it aside.
- In the same pan add the remaining oil, add cumin seeds and hing, once the seed splutter add the cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom and bay leaves.
- Now add the grinded tomato-onion paste and cook it well for 12-15 minutes or until the raw smell disappears.
- Add the chilli powder, fennel seed powder and turmeric powder and saute well. add salt and sugar and continue cooking.
- Now add the fried Paneer into the gravy and mix well.
- Cook until oil floats to top again and you reach the desired consistency in gravy. check the seasoning and adjust as per taste.
- Ideally this dish is slightly thick.
- In the end add the garam masala powder and mix well.
- Serve it hot with roti, naan or steamed rice.

Hope you like this Kashmiri Paneer in Tomato Gravy!! π
You may also like Paneer with Potatoes and Peas Curry.
Have a great day!! π

Those spices sound amazing. I am just starting to experiment with Indian cooking- the flavors are so good! i can’t wait out at Indian restaurants because of my many food allergies, so making them at home is the only way I can experience it!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine recently posted…Chicken Enchilada Soup
Glad you like it!! hope you try this.. it tastes amazing.. π
You always come up with the most creative dishes, Aprita! I’ve never heard of kashmiri before, but now I’m intrigued. This sounds like the perfect comfort food!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Sausage and Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
Thanks a lot Gayle! ! Glad you like it!! Please do try this.. i am sure you will love it!! π
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong recently posted…Sweet Chilli Crispy Chickpeas Patty Wraps
That curry looks awesome, Arpita!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried recently posted…Spicy & Tangy Kerala Fish Curry (Fish In Tamarind & Coconut Milk Sauce)
Thanks Anjana!!
YUM!! This looks amazing!! We used to make Indian food at home and it was always so delicious!! Loved it!! π …this looks like a super tasty recipe!! …and your photography is beautiful as well!
Cailee recently posted…Healthy Habit- Eat Like A French Woman!
Than you so much Cailee! Glad you like it!! Please do try this.. i am sure you will love it..:)
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong recently posted…Sweet Chilli Crispy Chickpeas Patty Wraps
I haven’t used paneer before, but this recipe has reminded me that I really should. I sounds delicious.
I hope you try this Dannii!! I am sure you will love it! π
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong recently posted…Sweet Chilli Crispy Chickpeas Patty Wraps
This is such a beautiful curry! I love the tomato and fennel along with the rest of the spices in here. Your photos are stunning too Arpita!
The fennel seeds give an amazing flavour and aroma to this dish.. π
Thanks a lot Kelly!! Glad you like it! π
wow! This is definitely worth a try!
Thanks a lot Marcela!! π
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong recently posted…Sweet Chilli Crispy Chickpeas Patty Wraps
GORGEOUS photos, and this curry looks so absolutely delicious! That sauce looks to die for π pinned!
Rachel @ Bakerita recently posted…Pistachio White Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Thank u so much Rachel! ! The sauce is so flavourful and delicious. . Definitely to die for.. glad you like it.. π
Yuuummm. I love paneer! I’ve never tried this particular dish but it sounds wonderfully aromatic! I always get palak paneer (I think that’s the one with the spinach). Do you think I could buy paneer?
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking recently posted…Healthy Ginger Peach Oat Bars {gluten free; vegan}
Oh yes!! Supermarkets do keep paneer in the asian aisles.. and it is super easy to make at home too.. i will soon post a tutorial on how to make a homemade paneer.. hope that helps…thanks Lindsey!! π
Gahhh this looks like the ultimate comfort food! I’ve gotta get my hands on some of that awesome looking paneer! π
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven recently posted…Apple Pie Ricotta Pancakes
This is one of my fav comfort foods too…glad you like it! Thank you so much Sarah!! π
This looks so crazily good! I love paneer π
Lilli @ Sugar and Cinnamon recently posted…Vegan Banana Buckwheat Chocolate Muffins
I adore paneer too… Thanks a lot Lilli! glad you like it.. π
This dish looks so heart warming and delicious! I love paneer! π
marcie recently posted…Grilled Sweet Potato Salad with Maple Bacon Vinaigrette
Thank you so much Marcie!!
I love all of your recipes, because they are dishes that I’ve usually never even heard of, but they all sound delicious! I love all the flavors you use! Will you please come over and cook this for me π
Isadora recently posted…Three Bean Loaded Veggie Chili
I would love to cook for you, Izzy!! Glad you like the recipes.. I love your recipes too!!! π Thanks Izzy! π
Oooooooo, I *love* the spices in this recipe. They are some of my favorites (cumin, fennel, turmeric, cardamon)…I definitely need to start making more Indian food ~ because this sounds absolutely amazing! My friend even brought me spices from India ~ girl, I need to use them ~ on this recipe!!!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen recently posted…Applesauce Muffins
Spices from india.. sounds fabulous.. Yes, please do make this panner recipe.. it tastes so so amazing!! you will love it!! π
Fried paneer in a tomato β fennel curry?! . . oh my gawd, love this! what is hing( asafoetida)?
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Cheater Nutella Sticky Buns
Oh yes!! it tastes even better than it sounds.. π Hing is a kind of spice used in indian cuisine basically used in lentils soup(dals) and certain other dishes.. it is uses as a flavour enhancer… you will find it supermarkets in Indian isle… or in any indian grocery shop.. I hope you find it.. π
a big bowl of saucy paneer always sounds good to me!!
Joanne recently posted…Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili
Thanks a lot Joanne! π
This looks yummy! Who would have known cottage cheese mixes so well with all this spice! LOVE!
Cottage cheese is a very versatile.. delicious and flavourful.. π Glad you like it Karen!!
This look so delicious! I’ve never had paneer before, but now I’m definitely wanting to try some after seeing this!
Danielle recently posted…Cake Mix Cookies
Thank you so much Danielle!! π
What a wonderful dish, love the spices you used here. I could eat this for every meal. Love it!
cheri recently posted…Fava Bean and Corn Risotto
I could eat this all day long.. π Thank s lot Cheri! glad you like it!
Love paneer yummy:-)
traditionallymodernfood recently posted…Sugarless Tomato Jam
Thanks Vidya!! π
Wauw, the looks amazing. How wonderful finally to have a vegetarian Indian dish π Pinned!
Josefine {The Smoothie Lover} recently posted…Plum Tarts
Thank you so much Josefine!! Glad you like it!! π
This curry looks and sounds so incredible! I love the vibrant colours too π
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella recently posted…Havreflarn – Swedish Oatmeal Crisp Cookies
Thanks Lorraine! glad you like it!! π
This looks so beautifully comforting — yum! Love the rich colour of the dish, too.
Thanks for stopping by!! Glad you like it!! its definitely a comfort food π
Arpita I always love your recipes! You come up with such creative flavor combinations that I would never think of! This dish looks just amazing!
Annie @Maebells recently posted…Raspberry Red Wine Slushy with Chocolate Whipped Cream
Aww that is such a sweet comment… I love all your recipes too Annie! Glad you like it! Thanks π
I love the sound of this recipe Arpita, the fennel is a great touch too.
Thank you so much Anna!! π