Badami paneer

This is my new creation which my family really liked a lot!! The flavour and taste of the rich almond gravy combined with crumbled or grated Cottage cheese, really makes this dish special. Enjoy this with Naan !!

Ingredients:
250 grams cottage cheese ( Paneer)
10-12  almonds
2 large tomatoes
2 medium onions
1 green chili
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds(jeera)
1/2 teaspoon ginger paste
1 teaspoon coriander powder(dhania)
1/2 teaspoon red chili powder(lal mirch)
1/2 teaspoon Garam masala
1/2 teaspoon black salt (kaala namak)
1/4 teaspoon cardamon powder(ilaechi powder)
salt according to taste
1 cup water
1/2 cup milk

For garnishing:
Few strands of saffron
1 teaspoon beaten fresh cream
tomato slices

Method:




Soak the almonds for 2 hours in lukewarm water.
Ground the onions and green chili into a fine paste.
Ground the tomatoes also into a fine puree.
In a kadahi(wok) heat the butter and add cumin seeds. When the seeds start to crack, add the Onion chili paste and saute . Add the ginger paste and saute it too till it becomes little dry.
Now add the tomato puree, and saute it on medium flame for 2 minutes.
Add all the mentioned spices and blend them well with the mixture.
Peel the skin of soaked almonds and ground them into a coarse paste.
Add this to the Bhunna masala(sauteed) mixture .Mix well.
Mix water and milk , Add this to the paste and mix well. Add salt.
Grate the paneer, add this to the almond gravy and mix well. Remove from heat.

 "Badami paneer " is ready!!

Garnish it with saffron strands, tomato slices and cream !!

Optional notes:
One can also add few sliced almonds into the gravy for flavour.
Garnishing can be made more royal by placing Silver foil(Varakh) and finely sliced almonds!!
One can adjust the thickness of the gravy as per desire.