Saoji Paneer

Paneer in Saoji masala — the vegetarian flagship of Nagpur's Saoji cuisine: fresh paneer cubes fried in oil until golden on all sides, then added to the same seventeen-spice Saoji masala base (stone flower, marathi mokku, teppal, dry coconut, and the characteristic high chilli load) cooked in oil with onion and ginger-garlic paste until the oil separates, then simmered until the paneer absorbs the intensely spiced gravy. The paneer provides a creamy, neutral dairy base that absorbs the Saoji masala particularly well; each cube is an entire mouthful of the complex, fiery spice blend. Made in Nagpur's Saoji restaurants as the primary vegetarian offering; increasingly popular in Maharashtra's vegetarian communities who want the Saoji experience without meat. Eaten with bhakri or plain rice.