1. Heat mustard oil in a heavy-bottomed pan until it reaches the smoking level, place the paneer cubes and fry until it turns golden. Flip over and brown the other side as well.

2. Once the paneer cubes are nicely fried, immerse them in a bowl containing one cup warm water mixed with turmeric powder. This will keep the paneer soft.

3. In the same pan add the cumin seeds and let it splutter. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until it turns soft and mushy. Mash the tomatoes with the back of the ladle, until they turn nice and pulpy.

4. Add the fennel powder, dry ginger powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder and mix well.

5. Add in the fried paneer along with the turmeric water and bring it to a brisk boil.

6. Add the Kashmiri garam masala, season with salt and let the gravy simmer for 15 minutes until it all comes together, and the oil separates.

7. Serve tamatar chaman with steamed rice.

Syed Faiq

Kashmiri expat based in the UAE

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