Dahi Wala Paneer | Kids Lunch Box Recipe
A mild and creamy North Indian curry made with soft paneer cubes simmered in a yogurt-based gravy, lightly spiced for a kid-friendly flavor. It’s nutritious, easy to digest, and pairs perfectly with roti or rice—making it an ideal, wholesome option for lunch boxes.
Ingredients
For Marination
- Paneer (पनीर) – 400 gms
- Salt (नमक) – ¾ tsp
- Turmeric (हल्दी) – ½ tsp
- Chilli Powder (मिर्च पाउडर) – 1 tsp
- Mustard Oil (सरसों तेल) – 3 tbsp
For Paste
- Curd (दही) – 1½ cups
- Cashewnut (काजू) – ⅓ cup
- Ginger (अदरक) – a small piece
- Onion, small (प्याज़) – 1 no
- Garlic Cloves (लहसुन) – 10-12 nos
- Green Chillies (हरि मिर्च) – 2 nos
- Black Pepper (काली मिर्च) – 10-12 nos
For Curry
- Oil (तेल) – 4 tbsp
- Black Cardamom (काली इलाइची) – 1 no
- Kalonji (कलौंजी) – ½ tsp
- Cloves (लौंग) – 4-5 nos
- Green Chilli (हरि मिर्च) – 1 no
- Turmeric (हल्दी) – ½ tsp
- Kashmiri Chilli Powder (कश्मीरी मिर्च पाउडर) – 2 tsp
- Coriander Powder (धनिया पाउडर) – 1½ tbsp
- Salt (नमक) – to taste
- Water (पानी) – 3 cups
- Garam Masala (गरम मसाला) – a pinch
- Mint Powder (पुदीना ऊडर) – a pinch
- Kasoori Methi Powder (कसूरी मेथी पाउडर) – a pinch
- Coriander, chopped (ताज़ा धनिया) – handful
- Chilli Oil (रोगन) – a dash
Instructions
- For Dahi wala Paneer, Cut paneer into cubes. Mix paneer cubes with salt, turmeric, chilli powder, and mustard oil in a bowl. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes.On a hot tawa or pan, heat some oil and grill the paneer till the grill marks are visible on all sides.In a blender, combine curd, soaked cashew nuts, ginger, onion, garlic, green chillies, and black pepper. Blend into a smooth paste.
- Heat oil in a pan, add black cardamom, kalonji, cloves, and green chilli. Sauté for a minute. Pour in the prepared paste. Add turmeric, Kashmiri chilli powder, and coriander powder. Mix well. Cook until the oil starts separating.Pour water, add salt, and bring it to a boil. Sprinkle garam masala, mint powder, kasoori Methi powder, salt and chopped coriander.
- Drop in the grilled paneer and cook it in the gravy for at least 5 minutes. Finish with a dash of chilli oil for extra flavour. Serve hot with naan or rice.Dahi wala paneer is ready to be enjoyed.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!