Low Calorie No butter Paneer Butter Masala | Microwave Paneer Butter Masala | Step By Step Recipes

Ten years ago or more, when I wasn't aware of the blogs, I was always searching the net for the Paneer Butter Masala recipe that you get in restaurants. Finally I had to settle to the one on this blog which is popular as it was adapted from the popular Chef, Sanjeev Kapoor. Since then we have modified the recipe in many ways that each time we get a feeling that we are making a new dish.  Even then, this is one recipe that comes quite closest to what I have in mind.

That reminds me of the time we bloggers met, where Sra got a Paneer dish.(Will have to ask Sra if this was the dish she got) All of us were drooling over it as it was so rich and creamy. Infact over this weekend dinner I tasted one of the best Paneer Butter Masala, in that it was really really rich and so creamy. You can't feel the gravy, something nice just slides in as you tuck in succulent paneer pieces. And you never keep count of how many naans went in.

Talking of all these rich creamy paneer dishes, I really wonder how a low calorie no butter Paneer Butter Masala still tasted so good. This happened in the Microwave Demo sessions. The chef is a young girl who can whip up some wonderful creations in Microwave within minutes. The session merits some enthusiastic Microwave buffs, who want to use their microwaves "Beyond Reheating". So one can be sure of some really quick and tasty recipes coming out from the session. One onlooker even confessed of loosing weight after started cooking for herself completely in microwave. Now that is something I can wish for!

Even though I assumed and presumed that I will end up adapting lot of recipes to Microwave cooking, I only make handful. And this recipe that the chef showed us, I made it the same night with amazing good results. And yes I was left wondering how this dish tasted so good without even a pinch of butter in it.

She made Paneer Butter Masala along with Naans. I came back and tried her version of Naan too. I make my Naans differently but this was very good too. I thought I might as well capture 3 ways of making Naans at home as a ready reckon.

For today it is going to be Low Calorie No butter Paneer Butter Masala! Quite a mouthful right!

 Step By Step Method of making Microwave Paneer Butter Masala


Grind Onions to a smooth paste.

Puree the tomatoes using water.

In a microwave safe bowl, add oil along with all the whole spices. Micro for 1 min.

Then add the onion paste, stir well.

Micro for 3 mins.

Then add Ginger Garlic paste in between, mix well. Micro again for the remaining time.

Meanwhile wash the paneer cube.

Cut into small pieces.

The onion mix is almost ready, will look like this.

Add the tomato puree to the onion paste, stir well. Micro for 5 mins

After 2 mins, the Onion tomato paste will look like this.

To that add Red chili powder, store bought powder was used, hence it is so bright.

Give it a quick stir!

Micro for the remaining 3 mins.

Remove, add cashew paste.

Add 1 cup of water, mix well and micro for 5 mins.

Remove and add the paneer pieces.

Add more water if required. Micro for 10 more mins.

Low Calorie No butter Paneer Butter Masala

Ingredients Needed:

Paneer - 250 gms
Onions - 2 medium
Tomatoes - 2 medium
Cloves - 2
Cinnamon - 2"
Bey Leaf - 1
Cardamon - 2
Fennel Seeds - 1/4 tsp
Ginger Garlic paste - 1 tsp
Cashew Nuts - 10 whole
Red Chili powder - 1 tsp
Salt to taste
OIl - 2 tsp

Method to prepare:

In a microwave safe bowl, add oil along with whole spices. Micro for 1 min.

then add the ground onion paste, micro for 3 mins.

When it is 2 mins, remove and add ginger garlic paste. Stir well and cook for the balance 1 min.

Add the tomato puree, micro for 5 mins.

Meanwhile soak cashews and grind to a smooth paste.

At this stage cashew paste can also be added.

Add 1 cup water for more consistency and micro for 5 mins.

Wash and cut Paneer into cubes. Remove the bowl, add the paneer pieces, salt, and add water if required.

Micro for 10 mins.

Total Cooking time in Micro mode is 20 mins.

You may feel that it is quite a hassle checking on it at such intervals. But it doesn't appear so when you actually make it.

Without butter or cream, this dish turned out very creamy. The bright red colour is because of store bought powder, you may use a pinch of red food colour if you prefer. But it is normally not required.

Some may add Tomato Sauce in this recipe, but I don't recommend that.

Went very well with Naans. This gravy being so quick and easy, I am sure you can try and enjoy it yourself!

This of course goes for the party I have on the blog for celebrating 3 years of blogging! Hope you are joining in..
Happy week ahead!