TransWikia.com

Is there a difference between paneer butter masala, matar paneer, malai kofta gravy?

Seasoned Advice Asked by dan12345 on February 19, 2021

It seems to me that although you can find different recipes for each of the dishes described above, the gravy is basically the same, with the only difference for example between paneer butter masala and matar paneer is that matar paneer has peas in it.

(The gravy I’m taking about – frying cumin seeds, onions, ginger garlic paste, tomato, adding ground cumin, ground coriander, chilly powder, blending with cahshew paste and then adding cream and kasuri methi)

Am I correct in assuming this?

In addition – It seems to me that the same thing could be said about aloo gobi, channa masala, baingan bharta, and many other dishes – Basically the same frying of onions, ginger garlic paste and tomatoes, but with a different ingredient added at the end (for example eggplant for baingtan bharta).

If the recipes are actually the same, then it would mean a lot of the Indian dishes have a similar taste… I’m interested in the dishes as they are cooked in authentic Indian restaurants.

5 Answers

Paneer butter masala, malai kofta gravy and matar paneer are part of the North Indian cuisine where the base is mostly the same with some minor variations (like excluding cumin seeds).

So essentially, you have a common base gravy for sweeter dishes like these and then you have a spicier gravy for other dishes. Many Indian cuisines have this pattern. For example, Gujarati cuisine will have red chili powder, turmeric, garlic-ginger, mustard seeds, cumin powder, fenugreek, cilantro and jaggery, etc. as a general base with some additions and subtractions of the vegetable ingredients. Similarly, you'll be able to find common base gravies across Indian recipes and cuisines.

But, when you say: "In addition - It seems to me that the same thing could be said about aloo gobi, chana masala, baingan bharta, and many other dishes - Basically the same frying of onions, ginger garlic paste and tomatoes, but with a different ingredient added at the end (for example eggplant for baingan bharta)."

You are making a generalization which is not necessarily true. These recipes can vary quite a bit based on regional tastes, specially baingan ka bharta. This dish is a signature dish and needs a seasoned hand to deliver it right.

So, you are right when you say there is a common pattern across recipes. But certain dishes like aloo gobi will exist in different forms across the country. But rest assured malai kofta, paneer butter masala and matar paneer are only prepared in the North Indian style.

Correct answer by SutharMonil on February 19, 2021

Both three have some differences,they are not same in taste, texture and appearance. Paneer butter masala is a rich, creamy,cashew based gravy where red chilli powder and tomato gravy are used to prepare. Paneer butter masala taste less sweet, little spicy and having a thick smooth gravy. It is light red in colour.

And mutter paneer is a no sweet, spicy in taste dish,which is not thick smooth gravy in texture. It is light brown in colour. Additional use of green peas in mutter paneer.

Whereas Malai kofta is completely a sweet and salty dish in taste and is white colour in appearance. There is no use of red chilli,tomatoes.

You can check the recipe below for paneer butter masala to get an idea for it's taste, texture and appearance. Paneer butter masala recipe

Answered by Mobasir hassan on February 19, 2021

These are all post-colonization dishes and are in their nature fusion dishes, therefore aren't authentically a part of historic Indian cuisine. This is also why a butter paneer at one restaurant tastes drastically different than the other.

The post-colonization mire-poix-style equivalent core content for North Indian dishes is up to this part of what you're describing (frying cumin seeds, onions, ginger garlic paste, tomato) and then to this is added any spices (could be more spices than what you'd listed), cream/milk/cashew, etc and any vegetables.

Answered by Ammar Naseer on February 19, 2021

In an Indian restaurant in US they might use the same gravy, but back home it is different gravies.

Answered by manu muraleedharan on February 19, 2021

Yes those three are very different. Paneer butter masala is paneer in tomato sauce, kofta is fried paneer balls and nabratan korma is made with vegetables.

Answered by Drithubshah on February 19, 2021

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question

Get help from others!

© 2024 TransWikia.com. All rights reserved. Sites we Love: PCI Database, UKBizDB, Menu Kuliner, Sharing RPP