Paneer Kali Mirch Recipe

When speaking of the world of curries in the Indian cuisine repertoire, Paneer Kali Mirch is one of the lesser-known ones. But don’t go by this, as it is equally a delicious onion-yogurt based gravy dish with Paneer or Indian cottage cheese in it. This is also the reason that a true-blue North Indian eatery will always feature it on its menu, even after it being a non-popular choice amidst restaurant goers. So, why wait to visit a restaurant to try it out. Here’s the perfect recipe for you try at home.

About Paneer Kali Mirch

So, you’re a paneer lover and wouldn’t mind eating it every day! But are also in a fix, because all the recipes that you know of paneer are just about over or are getting repetitive and monotonous.

This is exactly the time for you to try this Paneer Kali Mirch, which is going to be just the change that you’ve been looking for.

The dish may sound fancy, but is quite simple as it is just a paneer curry that is firstly accentuated with a good dose of black pepper, and the whole dish eventually enriched with the use of aromatic spices, flavorings and cream.

Sounds too good, right? Don’t wait. Just get your aprons on and go ahead with this recipe.

As obvious from the name, kali mirch/kali miri or black pepper is the highlight of this otherwise underrated dish. In this Paneer Kali Mirch recipe, you will be able to notice the presence of kali miri on its own, in a subtle way.

It doesn’t overpower the gravy with its pungency. The slight hint of black pepper in every bite does the trick for your palate.

About My Recipe

The addition of curd (yogurt) imparts a faint sour taste in the gravy and also balances the pungency that you have from the black pepper.

The gravy also has another flavor profile that comes from the fried onion paste. These are the sweet notes which gel really well with the rest of the flavors.  

Making the Paneer Kali Mirch is quite easy inspite of the long list of ingredients that you have. Even for someone who’s an amateur or is new to cooking.

This recipe will give you a sumptuous restaurant style dish and the final result is absolutely going to be worth every effort. In the end, you will be really happy.

Since we are at this, here are some of the other popular rich paneer curries that we all love. You must try the Paneer Tikka Masala, Paneer Butter Masala and Paneer Makhani. Of course, whenever you want that much needed change, opt for this Paneer Kali Mirch.

Although Paneer Kali Mirch tastes best when had with Indian flatbreads like roti, phulka, paratha and naan. However, if you are a rice eater, then you can relish the flavors of this lovely dish with jeera rice, peas pulao or even a veg pulao.

How to make Paneer Kali Mirch

Make Onion Paste

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil or ghee in a a heavy pan or kadai. Add 1 inch cinnamon, 2 green cardamoms, 2 cloves and 1 or 2 mace strands.

2. Sauté for a few seconds till the spices crackle.

3. Then, add ½ cup chopped onions.

4. Mix and begin to sauté the onion on low to medium heat, stirring often.

5. Sauté till the onions become light golden.

6. Then, add ½ teaspoon chopped ginger, ½ teaspoon chopped garlic, 1 chopped green chili (about 1 teaspoon chopped) and 10 to 12 whole cashews.

7. Mix well.

8. Stirring often, sauté till the onions turn golden.

9. Let this mixture become warm or cool down.

10. Then, add in a grinder jar or a small blender. Also, add ⅓ to ½ cup water.

11. Grind to a smooth and fine paste. Keep aside.

More Prep

12. Take ½ teaspoon whole black pepper in a mortar-pestle.

13. Crush black pepper to a coarse powder. Keep aside.

14. Take ¼ cup fresh curd in a bowl and whisk it till smooth. Keep aside. Use full fat fresh curd. Curd made from toned milk or skimmed milk can curdle in the gravy.

Make Gravy

15. Now, in the same pan in which we sautéed the onions, heat 2 tablespoons oil or ghee. Add 1 tej patta and ½ teaspoon caraway seeds (shahi jeera).

If you do not have shahi jeera, you can also use cumin seeds.

16. Sauté for a few seconds till the shahi jeera crackles and becomes fragrant.

17. Now, add the prepared onion paste.

18. Mix well and sauté the onion paste on low heat.

19. In the jar in which the onion paste was ground, add ½ cup water. Swirl and rotate the jar so that the onion paste sticking to the bottom and sides of the jar get mixed with the water.

We will add this onion paste mixed water, later in the gravy. So keep it ready.

20. Stirring often, sauté onion paste for 4 to 5 minutes on low heat.

21. Sauté till you see the oil or ghee separating from the sides of the paste.

22. Then, add the crushed black pepper.

23. Mix very well.

24. Sauté for 1 minute.

25. Next, add the following ground spices:

• ¼ teaspoon red chili powder or cayenne pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garam masala powder
• ½ teaspoon coriander powder (ground coriander)

26. Mix very well and sauté for a minute.

27. Switch off the heat. Remove the pan from the stovetop keep it on the kitchen countertop. Add the whisked curd (yogurt).

28. As soon as you add curd, quickly stir and mix it well with the onion paste.

29. Add ½ cup of the water from the grinder jar.

30. Mix again very well.

31. Now light the stovetop and keep the heat to low. Put the pan on heat and bring the gravy to a simmer.

32. When the gravy comes to a boil, season with salt as per taste. Mix again.

33. Continue to simmer the gravy for a few minutes till you see a few oil or ghee specks on the top. If the gravy becomes thick, you can add some water.

Make Paneer Kali Mirch

34. Add 200 grams cubed paneer.

35. Mix well and switch off the heat. At this step, you can add 2 tablespoons cream, if you want.

36. Lastly, add 1 teaspoon kewra water (pandanus water). Mix again. You can use 1 teaspoon of edible rose water instead of kewra water.

37. Serve Paneer Kali Mirch with flatbreads like roti, chapati, paratha, naan or cumin rice, ghee rice or veg pulao. While serving, garnish with some crushed black pepper, mint leaves or coriander leaves (cilantro).

Expert Tips

1. Ensure to use fresh full fat curd. Toned milk or skimmed milk curds can curdle in the gravy while cooking.
2. You can use the usual cumin seeds, if you don’t have caraway seeds (shahi jeera).
3. In case you feel the gravy has become too thick, add some water to get it to a consistency that is desired.
4. I have not added cream in this dish. Cream gives a richer and smoother finish to the gravy and you can add it if you prefer.
5. If you have edible rose water at home instead of the kewra water (pandanus water), use it.

This Paneer Kali Mirch recipe from the archives first published in October 2017 has been republished and updated on November 2022.