5-6tbspHeavy Creamsub for coconut cream if you prefer
Handful of cashews
3-4clovesgarlic
1tbspginger pasteor a small piece of ginger
saltto taste
Pepperto taste
1tspcumin powder
1tspchili powder
1tbsptikka spice powder
1tspGaram Masala
4tbspGhee
Instructions
HOW TO MARINATE:
In a bowl; add chili powder, tikka spice powder, salt, pepper and 2 Tbsp heavy cream. Cut cottage cheese into medium-sized cubes and coat them evenly with the spice and cream mix. Let it marinate for 15mins
PROCESS:
Place a pan on medium-high heat; add 2 Tbsp clarified butter, roughly chopped garlic, ginger, and onions. Sauté for 5 mins until onions turn slightly golden brown. Add in half of the cashews and sauté for 1-2 mins
Add in roughly chopped tomatoes, salt, pepper, cumin powder, and garam masala. Let it cook till tomatoes start to break down a bit, takes about 7-8 mins. Add in tomato paste and a bit of water and let it cook for a minute or two. Turn the gas off and let it cool down a bit
While the mixture cools; place a separate pan on medium heat, add in the rest of the clarified butter and place marinated cottage cheese pieces. Crisp for 3-4 minutes on each side till it looks reddish color on both sides. Keep them aside on a plate. Be gentle to not break the cottage cheese pieces and don’t discard the remaining marinade. Sauté the remaining cashews in the same pan
Once the onion-tomato mixture has cooled down; add to the blender along with 100 ml of water. Feel free to add more if the consistency doesn’t feel right. Once the paste looks smooth and creamy, add it back to the same pan on medium-high heat again
Add the remaining marinade from the cottage cheese marination into the puréed masala. Add the rest of the cream along with it. Mix well and let the butter masala cook for 8-10 mins. Taste, adjust the spices and add more cream if needed. Once done add cottage cheese and fried cashews to the mix and let it sit for 4-5 mins. Turn the gas off and let sit for another a minute or so before serving
Serving:
Serve on a bed of rice or with some garlic butter naan!