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Vegetarian, South and Southeast Asian

Paneer bhurji with chapatis

Paneer bhurji is crumbled paneer cheese sautéed with onions, tomatoes, and Indian spices, served with warm chapatis. It serves 4, takes 25 minutes, and is very easy, at €2.10 per serving. The trick is to crumble the paneer by hand and warm it through for just 3 minutes so it stays soft.

A quick weeknight dinner, paneer bhurji, crumbled cheese sautéed with onions and spices, with warm chapatis.

Paneer bhurji with chapatis
Total time
25 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.10
Calories per person
590 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Paneer bhurji is Indian cheese crumbled like scrambled eggs, sautéed with softened onions, stewed tomatoes, and just enough spice to wake everything up. The paneer stays tender and milky, the spices bring warmth without much heat once you remove the chili seeds, and fresh cilantro adds a bright finish.

It's the kind of weeknight dinner you can throw together without much thought, since you probably already have cumin and turmeric in the pantry. Kids generally enjoy filling their own chapati like a little wrap, and it's an easy way to introduce them to a different cuisine without overwhelming them.

The ingredients

4 people

Dairy

  • Paneer 300 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onion 2
  • Tomatoes 2
  • Green chili 1
  • Fresh ginger 1 tbsp
  • Fresh cilantro 4 sprigs

Pantry

  • Cumin seedsoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Turmericoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Garam masalaoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Chapatis 8
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Lactose, Gluten

The step by step recipe

  1. Crumble the paneer by hand into a bowl. 2 min

    It should look like coarse semolina.

  2. Heat the oil with the cumin, add the sliced onion, ginger, and chopped chili, and cook until golden. 8 min

    Remove the chili seeds if you want a milder dish for kids.

  3. Add the diced tomatoes, turmeric, garam masala, and salt, and let it cook down. 6 min

    Mash the tomatoes with the back of the spatula to speed up cooking.

  4. Stir in the crumbled paneer and mix for 3 minutes, just to warm it through. 3 min

    No longer, paneer turns rubbery if it cooks too long.

  5. Warm the chapatis in a dry skillet and serve the bhurji topped with chopped cilantro. 3 min

    Fill a chapati like a wrap, it's great that way.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a firm paneer that isn't too dry, it crumbles more easily and stays soft once cooked.
  • Let the tomatoes cook down fully before adding the paneer, that base is what gives the dish its flavor.
  • Warm the chapatis right before serving, dry in a hot skillet, they stay pliable longer that way.

The variations

  • Swap the paneer for crumbled firm tofu for a dairy free version, the texture stays close to the original.
  • For a spicier version, add a pinch of chili powder in addition to the green chili.
  • To save time, use store bought chapatis and skip straight to cooking the bhurji.

What to serve it with

  • Plain yogurt to cool down the spices
  • A cucumber and red onion salad
  • Cilantro or mango chutney

Storage

The bhurji keeps for 2 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Reheat it gently in a skillet or microwave, paneer doesn't hold up well to long cooking. Reheat the chapatis separately in a dry skillet.

Questions about this dish

Can you substitute another cheese for paneer?

Paneer doesn't melt when cooked, which gives this dish its texture. Firm feta can work in a pinch but it's saltier, so cut back on the added salt.

How do you make this milder for kids?

Remove the seeds and white membranes from the green chili before chopping, that's where the heat concentrates. You can also cut the garam masala in half.

Can you make the bhurji ahead of time?

You can cook the onion and tomato base ahead and keep it refrigerated. Add the crumbled paneer only when reheating, so it doesn't turn rubbery.

What kind of chapati should you use?

Classic store bought or homemade chapatis both work, as long as they're thin and soft. Thin wheat tortillas can work as a substitute for filling the bhurji.

How long does it take to make a paneer bhurji with chapatis?

Count 25 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a paneer bhurji with chapatis?

About 590 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a paneer bhurji with chapatis cost?

About €2.10 per serving, or €8.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose, gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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