By Kashmiri Paneer or Tamatar Chaman is a popular Kashmiri style paneer preparation made with succulent paneer pieces simmered in tomato gravy beautifully flavoured with spices and fennel seeds. Kashmiri Tamatar Chaman is an extremely delicious Indian paneer dish that can be enjoyed as a side dish with naan or with rice.
Paneer never ceases to lure hubby or me to the dinner table. Paneer is a type of fresh cheese very common in Indian cuisine and can be easily made at home with milk. It’s 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.
Here is an easy step by step homemade paneer recipe that you can try. that Paneer is very versatile ingredient.
Kashmiri Tamatar Chaman
Kashmiri cuisine has always fascinated me. It’s exotic and rich flavours makes it stand out of the lot. One such Kashmiri dish is this Tamatar Chaman or Tomato paneer. Tamatar Chaman is a paneer preparation made in a tomato and fennel seeds gravy. It has got quite a refreshing taste than out regular butter masala or matar paneer. I always find myself carried away by the aroma and appearance of this sumptuous dish. Look at that lush colour!1
The sweet aroma of fennel elevates this ordinary tomato based curry to something quite elaborate. You would be surprised how simple this recipe is. This Kashmiri dish is ideal to cook this with fresh tomatoes/tamatar, which are blanched and then added to the curry. Although you can also use tinned plum tomatoes ( which I do sometimes!! ). Or tomato puree which gives it a thick gravy and also is a quick option. That’s my little cheat! 😉
What are the ingredients used in Kashmiri paneer/ tamatar chaman?
Tamatar chaman is made with out onion and garlic in it. Lets see the ingredient list used in tamatar chaman.
- Paneer
- Tomatoes/Tamatar
- Ginger
- Fennel seed powder
- Ginger powder (sonth)
- Masalas (Kashmiri red chilli powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder)
- Whole spices like (Cinnamon ,green and black cardamoms, cloves, cumin seeds, Bay leaves)
- Hing (asafoetida)
- Kashmiri garam masala
- Mustard oil/ veg oil
- Salt
- Sugar/sweetener
Here are few Paneer recipes that you can try.
Shorshe Paneer (Cottage Cheese in Mustard Gravy)
Palak Methi Paneer (Saag Paneer)
Achari Paneer Chana Pulao (Pilaf)
Chanar Dalna (Bengali style Paneer Curry)
Kashmiri Paneer (Tamatar Chaman)
Kashmiri Paneer | Kashmiri Tamatar Chaman
Equipment
- large thick bottomed pan
Ingredients
- 250 grams 250 grams Paneer ( Cottage Cheese), cubed
- 5 large Tomatoes, blanched
- 1/2 inch Ginger
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 inch Cinnamon
- 3-4 Cloves
- 2-3 Green cardamom
- 1 black cardamom
- 2 bay leaf
- 1/4 tsp hing( asafoetida)
- 1 tablespoon Fennel powder
- 1/2 tsp Cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp Ginger powder (sonth)
- 1 tsp Kashmiri Chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder plus 1/2 tsp extra for marinating paneer
- 1/2 tsp Kashmiri garam masala powder
- 1 tsp Sugar
- salt as per taste
- 3-4 tbsp Mustard Oil
Instructions
- Add tomatoes, ginger 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 ground tomato puree and cook it well for 8-10 minutes or until the raw smell disappears.
- Add the chilli powder, fennel seed powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder and sauté well.
- Add salt and sugar along with 1/4 cup of water continue cooking for 5 minutes.
- Now add the fried paneer along with 1/2 cup of water into the gravy and mix well. Check the seasoning and adjust as per taste.
- Cover and cook for 4-5 minutes or until oil floats to top and you reach the desired consistency in gravy. Ideally this dish is slightly thick.
- In the end add the garam masala powder and mix well. Take it off the heat.
- Enjoy it with steamed rice or naan or roti.
I hope you enjoy this Kashmiri Tamatar Chaman as much as we do!
You know what guys I would love to see your creations. If you have tried this recipe, just click a pic and tag me @gastronomicbong or #gastronomicbong on Instagram or on Facebook.
Bon Appetit!!!
Stay Safe! Stay Positive!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine
September 10, 2014Those 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!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 13, 2014Glad you like it!! hope you try this.. it tastes amazing.. 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
September 10, 2014You 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!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 13, 2014Thanks a lot Gayle! ! Glad you like it!! Please do try this.. i am sure you will love it!! 🙂
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried
September 10, 2014That curry looks awesome, Arpita!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 13, 2014Thanks Anjana!!
Cailee
September 10, 2014YUM!! This looks amazing!! We used to make Indian food at home and it was always so delicious!! Loved it!! 🙂 …this looks like a super tasty recipe!! …and your photography is beautiful as well!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 13, 2014Than you so much Cailee! Glad you like it!! Please do try this.. i am sure you will love it..:)
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
September 10, 2014I haven’t used paneer before, but this recipe has reminded me that I really should. I sounds delicious.
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 13, 2014I hope you try this Dannii!! I am sure you will love it! 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter
September 10, 2014This 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!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 13, 2014The fennel seeds give an amazing flavour and aroma to this dish.. 🙂
Thanks a lot Kelly!! Glad you like it! 🙂
marcela
September 10, 2014wow! This is definitely worth a try!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 15, 2014Thanks a lot Marcela!! 🙂
Rachel @ Bakerita
September 10, 2014GORGEOUS photos, and this curry looks so absolutely delicious! That sauce looks to die for 🙂 pinned!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 15, 2014Thank u so much Rachel! ! The sauce is so flavourful and delicious. . Definitely to die for.. glad you like it.. 🙂
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking
September 11, 2014Yuuummm. 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?
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 15, 2014Oh 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!! 🙂
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven
September 11, 2014Gahhh this looks like the ultimate comfort food! I’ve gotta get my hands on some of that awesome looking paneer! 🙂
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 15, 2014This is one of my fav comfort foods too…glad you like it! Thank you so much Sarah!! 🙂
Lilli @ Sugar and Cinnamon
September 11, 2014This looks so crazily good! I love paneer 🙂
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 16, 2014I adore paneer too… Thanks a lot Lilli! glad you like it.. 😀
marcie
September 11, 2014This dish looks so heart warming and delicious! I love paneer! 🙂
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 16, 2014Thank you so much Marcie!!
Isadora
September 11, 2014I 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 🙂
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 16, 2014I would love to cook for you, Izzy!! Glad you like the recipes.. I love your recipes too!!! 😀 Thanks Izzy! 🙂
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen
September 11, 2014Oooooooo, 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!!!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 16, 2014Spices from india.. sounds fabulous.. Yes, please do make this panner recipe.. it tastes so so amazing!! you will love it!! 😀
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
September 11, 2014Fried paneer in a tomato – fennel curry?! . . oh my gawd, love this! what is hing( asafoetida)?
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 16, 2014Oh yes!! it tastes even better than it sounds.. 😉 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.. 🙂
Joanne
September 11, 2014a big bowl of saucy paneer always sounds good to me!!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 16, 2014Thanks a lot Joanne! 😀
Karen
September 11, 2014This looks yummy! Who would have known cottage cheese mixes so well with all this spice! LOVE!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 16, 2014Cottage cheese is a very versatile.. delicious and flavourful.. 😀 Glad you like it Karen!!
Danielle
September 11, 2014This look so delicious! I’ve never had paneer before, but now I’m definitely wanting to try some after seeing this!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 16, 2014Thank you so much Danielle!! 😀
cheri
September 11, 2014What a wonderful dish, love the spices you used here. I could eat this for every meal. Love it!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 16, 2014I could eat this all day long.. 😀 Thank s lot Cheri! glad you like it!
traditionallymodernfood
September 12, 2014Love paneer yummy:-)
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 16, 2014Thanks Vidya!! 😀
Josefine {The Smoothie Lover}
September 12, 2014Wauw, the looks amazing. How wonderful finally to have a vegetarian Indian dish 🙂 Pinned!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 16, 2014Thank you so much Josefine!! Glad you like it!! 😀
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
September 12, 2014This curry looks and sounds so incredible! I love the vibrant colours too 😀
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 16, 2014Thanks Lorraine! glad you like it!! 😀
Chocolate Shavings
September 12, 2014This looks so beautifully comforting — yum! Love the rich colour of the dish, too.
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 16, 2014Thanks for stopping by!! Glad you like it!! its definitely a comfort food 😀
Annie @Maebells
September 12, 2014Arpita I always love your recipes! You come up with such creative flavor combinations that I would never think of! This dish looks just amazing!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 16, 2014Aww that is such a sweet comment… I love all your recipes too Annie! Glad you like it! Thanks 😀
anna@shenANNAgans
September 15, 2014I love the sound of this recipe Arpita, the fennel is a great touch too.
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong
September 16, 2014Thank you so much Anna!! 😀