Paneer is considered one of the best sources of protein, and many different dishes are made from it. However, in the city of Surat, Gujarat state, there is a special dish called Paneer Ghotal, whose taste differs from other vegetable dishes, and its preparation is quite simple.
Although various paneer dishes like Matar Paneer, Shahi Paneer, and Palak Paneer are often cooked at home, Surat has a unique street food dish that is very delicious. This is Paneer Ghotal, which the residents of Surat streets enjoy eating with pav. Since paneer is an excellent source of protein, it is often included in the diet, but after getting tired of paneer bhurji, you can prepare Surat's Paneer Ghotal.
This dish has a taste that differs from ordinary vegetable side dishes and cooks very quickly. Below is a simple recipe for preparing Paneer Ghotal at home.
Preparing Paneer Ghotal
Heat a pot over medium heat, add cumin seeds, and let them sizzle. Then add finely chopped onion and fry until golden brown. After the onion browns, add chopped green pepper and bell pepper, and cook everything together for about two minutes.
When the onion and bell pepper are ready, add tomatoes and cook until they soften. To prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pot, it must be stirred occasionally. Next, add red pepper, turmeric, coriander powder, salt, and masala for pav bhaji to the pot, and mix all the ingredients.
Pour 250 milliliters of water into the pot and cook the spices for about 2 minutes. Then add grated paneer, mix, and cover with a lid to let the dish simmer for 8–10 minutes. This will allow the paneer to fully absorb all the spices. Finally, garnish the dish with cilantro leaves and dried mint.
What to Serve Paneer Ghotal With
In the streets of Surat, Paneer Ghotal is traditionally served with pav, and the combination of these foods is very tasty. However, you can also serve it with paratha or puri. For an extra aesthetic look, the dish can be sprinkled with grated paneer on top.