Paneer musallam is the ultimate vegetarian main dish. A special occasion dish, worthy of your holiday table. The best part is – this stunning dish is surprisingly simple to make!
What is Paneer Musallam?
Paneer musallam is a vegetarian take on Murgh Musallam, a masala-coated whole chicken. Murgh Musallam is a royal dish that was created in imperial kitchens during India’s Mughal era. For this veg version, we’re replacing chicken with paneer – and simplifying the recipe without getting rid of all the bells and whistles that make this dish worthy of royalty. Because you, my friend, are a [insert the word: King, Queen, Noble Person, Jester – heh].
Paneer musallam looks a bit like a three-layer sandwich. The two outer layers consist of pan-fried paneer and the middle is a creamy filling made up of dry milk powder, nuts, and golden raisins. Then, we top it off in a rich, creamy masala sauce.
“Simply the best!!! Better than all the rest!!! At least that’s I think Tina Turner would sing after having this dish!! This was so easy to make and the taste outranked the effort by 10 fold. I served this at my Christmas dinner for my vegetarian friends and they ALL loved it. The filling between the paneer added a flavor and texture to the paneer. The gravy is simply superb. I am now wondering what else I can pour the gravy over. Maybe I will try pouring it over some skillet fried potatoes too. This dish is so pretty too that you make it the center of your meal spread. I served it with rice and some store bough paratha along with Ashley’s Dal Makhani and fried potatoes.”
Jenita
“I made this for Thanksgiving with your nomato onion masala and it came out perfect, everyone loved it! Thank you!!”
Rajavi
Paneer Musallam Ingredients
The ingredients list may look long – mostly due to spices – but the process of making this is quite simple. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Ghee
- Paneer: I use a 12 ounce block of paneer, but a slightly larger block will work too. Paneer comes in all different shapes – I suggest using a thicker block of paneer if possible so you’ll have thicker layers. However any thickness will work – so don’t let that stop you. I would weigh it out and try to use 12 to 14 ounces though.
- Onion Masala: this saves so much time – highly recommend keeping a stash in the freezer.
- Yogurt: I suggest plain whole milk yogurt. No need to marinate the paneer – we’re adding this right into the sauce.
- Heavy Cream
- Spices: saffron, kasoori methi, salt, pepper, coriander powder, garam masala, paprika, roasted cumin powder, turmeric, cardamom powder, cayenne
- Cashew Flour: I suggest grinding your own raw cashews to make this.
- Dry Milk Powder
- Pistachios: I suggest using raw pistachios because they are a brighter shade of green and make the dish look nice.
- Almond Flour
- Golden Raisins
How to Make Paneer Musallam
Slice the block of paneer in half lengthwise and then pan-fry it until mostly golden brown.
Combine the filling ingredients in a bowl and then spread the filling in between the two slices of fried paneer.
Add the sauce ingredients to the pan and simmer until slightly thickened. Then pour it all over the paneer and garnish with a heavy cream drizzle, cilantro and chopped pistachio.
Slice it up and admire those beautiful layers!
What to Serve with Paneer Musallam:
You can serve this dish with Basmati Rice or eat it with naan. It’d also be great with a side of roasted vegetables. Here are some ideas:
- Jeera Rice
- Aloo Beans
- Green Bean Thoran
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes (for a fusion holiday meal)
- Cranberry Chutney
- Beet Thoran
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- 1 12 ounce block Paneer sliced in half lengthwise
Sauce
- ½ cup thawed onion masala 2 cubes
- ¼ cup plain whole milk yogurt
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon cashew flour*
- 1 big pinch saffron
- 1 tablespoon crushed Kasoori methi
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon roasted cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne
Filling
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons dry milk powder
- 2 tablespoons raw green pistachios chopped
- 1 tablespoon almond flour
- 1 tablespoon cashew flour*
- 1 tablespoon golden raisins chopped
- chopped pistachios, saffron, heavy cream, cilantro garnish
Instructions
- Cut paneer in half lengthwise.
- Heat a nonstick pan (I like the Always Pan) over medium to medium-high heat (all stoves are different), wait for a minute for the pan to get hot, then add ghee and once it melts, add the paneer and fry for 1-2 minutes, then flip over and fry for another 1-2 minutes, or or until mostly golden brown. Take the paneer out and set it aside on a plate for now.
- Combine the filling ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Put the filling in between the two slices of fried paneer.
- Add the sauce ingredients to the pan and mix well, bring to a simmer and then cook for 1-2 minutes or until slightly thickened.
- Pour the sauce overtop and garnish with a heavy cream drizzle, cilantro, and chopped pistachio. Slice and serve!
Notes
- *To make cashew flour, I suggest grinding raw cashews.
manish mukherjee says
Oh my goodness, this was the most delicious recipe I’ve ever made! Well I’m a relatively new cook, but still. 🙂. Thank you!
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Hi Manish, I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for letting me know how much you enjoyed it 🙂
Angel says
Hi, how are you? I am student, pursuing a chef diploma. I am preparing an exam consisting of fusion of italian and indian cuisines. I like this sause and I am planning to used it in the lasagna. I am planning to top the lasaña with a spherified sauce. Any recommendation for this topping? Any other interesting sauce that could enrich this one?
LM says
Family loved it and presentation was outstanding! It is very easy to make. I used skim milk and low fat yogurt and did not feel it was lacking.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
That’s so great to hear! Thanks for letting me know how it turned out for you 🙂
Steve Kirk-Cohen says
hi Ashley – I loved your recipe on my first visit to your site. Paneer Musallam is inspired. Thank you. I am going to try it without delay.
Swetha Mohan says
This was wonderful Ashley. I cant believe something so exotic and rich could be done with so much ease.
You are the master of making exotic dishes as ‘simple to make’ as possible:) . Please take a bow.
I did not have heavy cream so I substituted it with cream cheese both in filling and the sauce. The result was superb!!
Thank you so much for crafting these awesome recipes
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Thank you, Swetha! I’m happy to hear that you liked the paneer musallam so much 🙂 I also really appreciate the kind words. Thank you for letting me know how it turned out for you!
Jenita says
Simply the best!!! Better than all the rest!!! At least that’s I think Tina Turner would sing after having this dish!! This was so easy to make and the taste outranked the effort by 10 fold. I served this at my Christmas dinner for my vegetarian friends and they ALL loved it. The filling between the paneer added a flavor and texture to the paneer. The gravy is simply superb. I am now wondering what else I can pour the gravy over. Maybe I will try pouring it over some skillet fried potatoes too. This dish is so pretty too that you make it the center of your meal spread. I served it with rice and some store bough paratha along with Ashley’s Dal Makhani and fried potatoes.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Jenita, LOVED reading this!! I’m so happy to hear that the dish was a hit with your friends – thank you so much for sharing this comment with me! 🙂
Rajavi says
I made this for Thanksgiving with your nomato onion masala and it came out perfect, everyone loved it! Thank you!!
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Rajavi, so happy to hear that! Glad it worked well with the nomato masala. Thanks for letting me know how it turned out 🙂