Paneer Musallam

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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!

paneer musallam

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
paneer sandwich

“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:

paneer musallam ingredients
  • 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.

pan fried paneer

Combine the filling ingredients in a bowl and then spread the filling in between the two slices of fried paneer.

paneer sandwich

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.

paneer sauce

Slice it up and admire those beautiful layers!

paneer musallam

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:

paneer musallam

Paneer Musallam

paneer musallam

Paneer Musallam

5 from 17 reviews
Pin Recipe Print Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian

Ingredients
 

  • 2 tablespoons ghee
  • 1 12 ounce block Paneer sliced in half lengthwise

Sauce

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.
Did you make this recipe?Tag @myheartbeets on Instagram and hashtag it #myheartbeets!

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About Ashley

Hi, I’m Ashley. Thanks for being here! I truly believe that food brings us closer together. Gather around a table with good food and good people, and you’ll have the ingredients you need to create some happy memories. My hope is that you find recipes here that you can’t wait to share with family and friends.

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Comments

  1. manish mukherjee says

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness, this was the most delicious recipe I’ve ever made! Well I’m a relatively new cook, but still. 🙂. Thank you!

  2. 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?

  3. LM says

    5 stars
    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.

  4. Steve Kirk-Cohen says

    5 stars
    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.

  5. Swetha Mohan says

    5 stars
    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

  6. Jenita says

    5 stars
    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.

paneer lababdar

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