11 Restaurant-Style Curries With Just 5 Ingredients

2. Paneer Makhani: Restaurant-Style Paneer in 5 Ingredients

Ingredients (counted): paneer, tomato puree, heavy cream, kasuri methi (dried fenugreek), garam masala. Cut paneer into thick cubes and give them a quick char in a dry skillet or with a light sear in oil to add texture. Sauté a finely sliced onion until golden, add tomato puree and reduce until the oil separates and the mixture is glossy—that reduction is the backbone of restaurant gravies. Add cream and a pinch of kasuri methi for that slightly sweet, herbaceous lift, then fold in the seared paneer. Total time is roughly 20 minutes. Tip: Warm the paneer in the sauce for only a few minutes so it stays soft and doesn’t crumble. Serve with a smear of cream on top and scatter a few torn cilantro leaves for color and scent, much like a neighborhood dhaba plating.