What is the achari spice mix?
Equal parts mustard seeds, fennel seeds (saunf), fenugreek seeds (methi dana), nigella seeds (kalonji), and dried red chili. This is the same panch phoron used in Bengali cooking.
Indian · dinner
Achari Paneer — pickle-spiced paneer in tangy tomato gravy
#indian#chef:priya#paneer#vegetarian#pickle-spiced
45m
Total time
4
Servings
310
kcal
medium
Difficulty
May 20, 2026
INGREDIENTS.
4
Dairy
- 350 g paneer, cut into 2 cm cubes
- 3 tbsp plain yogurt
Spice
- 0.5 tsp mustard seeds
- 0.5 tsp fennel seeds (saunf)
- 0.3 tsp fenugreek seeds (methi dana)
- 0.5 tsp nigella seeds (kalonji)
- 2 dried red chili, broken
- 0.5 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp amchur (dry mango powder)
Pantry
- 3 tbsp neutral oil
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 150 ml water
Produce
- 200 g onion, finely diced
- 15 g garlic, minced
- 10 g ginger, minced
- 300 g ripe tomatoes, pureed
- 15 g fresh coriander
THE METHOD.
tap to check off
0/7 done
FAQ · Things people ask
About this recipe.
Can I use mango pickle paste instead of whole spices?
You can stir in 1 tbsp of oil from a mango pickle jar for a quick achari flavour, but the whole-spice version has more complexity.
My achari paneer is too bitter. How do I fix it?
Too much fenugreek or it was fried too long and went dark. Balance with 0.5 tsp sugar and a splash more cream.
Related · You might also cook
Keep going.
indianmedium
Chole Bhature: Spiced Chickpeas and Fried Bread, Done Together
Chole bhature is a Delhi street breakfast — the spiced chickpeas are sharper and more sour than a standard chana masala, and the bhature are deep-fried leavened bread that puff dramatically in oil. The two need to be made within 30 minutes of each other; bhature go soft quickly.
80 min 4
Read No image yet
indianmedium
Dahi Bhalle — lentil dumplings in spiced yogurt
Dahi bhalle is a North Indian street food and celebration dish — soft urad dal dumplings soaked until they collapse, served under cold spiced yogurt with tamarind and green chutneys.
50 min 4
Read No image yet
indianmedium
Gulab Jamun — milk-solid dumplings in cardamom syrup
Gulab jamun — khoya-based dumplings soaked in rose-cardamom syrup — is the default Indian celebration sweet, eaten warm or at room temperature, and deeply forgiving once you understand the fry temperature.
50 min 6
Read No image yet
indianeasy
Kadai Paneer: Wok-Cooked Paneer With Capsicum and Whole Spices
Kadai paneer is defined by its kadai masala — a coarsely ground blend of coriander seeds and dried red chili that gives the dish its characteristic rough texture and heat. The capsicum is added late to keep it firm; the paneer is seared first so it holds its shape.
40 min 4
Read