Vegan Kashmiri Lal “Paneer” Tofu (Lal Chaman)

Kashmiri lal tofu – pan seared tofu in an fragrant fiery Kashmiri chili tomato curry sauce – is a simplified model of the North Indian curry, Kashmiri lal paneer. (Gluten-free with soy-free and nut-free choices)

It is a vegan model of Kashmiri lal paneer, from the northernmost state in India. It’s a well-liked dish often made for entertaining, gatherings, weddings, or particular events. It has this scrumptious sauce which is tremendous purple (lal) in coloration, due to the Kashmiri chili! I exploit Kashmiri chili powder in lots of recipes, it has a selected taste profile. Positively get some Kashmiri chili powder! You should use it in locations the place you employ paprika.

There are other ways to make this recipe, relying on the area and time of the yr. Kashmir is a northern state in India, most of which is within the excessive altitude Himalayan area. Which means recent produce is just not at all times accessible. 

Relying on the area and the provision of produce, this recipe could be made with lots of aromatics, like onion, garlic, recent ginger, and recent tomato. In any other case, it may be made with out onion, garlic, or tomato, utilizing simply the spices and a bit of little bit of yogurt to make the sauce.

I’m utilizing onion and utilizing some dried variations of aromatics, like floor ginger and garlic powder, so as to add extra taste to the sauce and simplify the recipe.

Moreover, I’m taking inspiration from Kashmiri hen curry so as to add extra spices and flavors to the sauce. If you happen to don’t have a spice or two, you may nonetheless make this dish, and it’ll nonetheless prove completely scrumptious.

This recipe, additionally referred to as Lal Chaman, is usually made as part of Wazwan, which is a selection made for entertaining or particular events. 

There are a number of different Kashmiri recipes on the weblog as nicely, like my Kashmiri mushrooms with a scrumptious umami-rich sun-dried tomato sauce, Kashmiri dal, which is an easy dal, and creamy Rogan Josh curry, which is the extra well-liked Kashmiri recipe that you simply would possibly discover in some Indian eating places.

This sauce is so unbelievable flavorful, you should use any protein with it! Equivalent to chickpeas, beans, vegan hen, soycurls and so forth. The sauce can get fairly scorching with the black pepper and the Kashmiri chili powder( some manufacturers are hotter whereas some fairly gentle). If you find yourself with too scorching a sauce, tame with some cashew cream.

Strive these Kashmiri recipes, and I’ll even be bringing extra Kashmiri recipes to the weblog sooner or later. I’ve been going deep into regional Indian delicacies for the previous couple of years, bringing you all these scrumptious recipes and flavors, so keep tuned! Do let me know when you like these regional Indian recipes. Some generally is a bit intimidating with longer lists of spices and steps. I attempt to simplify them whereas nonetheless maintaining the standard flavors! If you’re new to my web site, attempt my simpler faster Indian recipes like butter chickpeas, Palak tofu, dal tadka.

Why You’ll Love Vegan Kashmiri Lal Paneer

• tremendous flavorful, tomato chili curry sauce with flavors of Kashmiri chili powder, turmeric, ginger, garlic, and cumin
• crispy tofu is tremendous flavorful from Kashmiri chili powder and garlic powder
• one-pan recipe prepared in about an hour
• simplified model of a Kashmiri big day dish
• naturally gluten-free and nut-free with straightforward soy-free choice

Substances

• tofu – That is your vegan paneer. For soy-free, you may exchange the tofu with chickpea flour tofu, pumpkin seed tofu, or seitan. You may as well skip the crisping up step and add cooked chickpeas, beans, or greens on to the sauce. 
• floor spices – For the tofu, you’ll need Kashmiri chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and cornstarch. For the sauce, we’re utilizing hing (omit for gluten-free or when you don’t have it), turmeric, floor ginger, cumin, and salt.
• oil – To crisp up the tofu and sauté the onions.
• onion – Provides a lot umami!
• entire spices – You’ll need entire fennel seeds and black peppercorns. Exchange with floor variations, in case you are not going to puree the sauce. Afterward, additionally, you will roast some black cardamom, entire cloves, and a cinnamon stick so as to add much more taste to the sauce whereas it’s cooking!
• garlic – For umami.
• tomato puree – This together with the blended onion and kashmiri chili is the bottom in your curry. You should use canned or recent. Unseasoned tomato sauce can be effective to make use of.
• garnishes – High your Kashmiri lal tofu with cilantro, non-dairy yogurt or non-dairy cream, and lemon juice.

Easy methods to Make Vegan Kashmiri Lal Paneer

Press the tofu, when you haven’t already, then slice it into 1½” to 2” huge slices which are about ½ inch thick. You may as well tear the tofu into natural shapes for a extra chicken-like texture. It’s going to additionally decide up extra taste that method.

In a shallow bowl, add Kashmiri chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and cornstarch. Combine nicely. Add half of the tofu slices to the bowl, toss to coat. Take away these slices,  then add the remaining slices and toss once more. If utilizing torn tofu, add all of it without delay and toss nicely to coat. Put aside.

Warmth a big skillet over medium-high warmth. Add the oil, and as soon as the oil is scorching, add the tofu. Unfold evenly and allow them to cook dinner undisturbed for 2-3 minutes or till the underside turns golden. Flip and cook dinner the opposite facet till properly golden and considerably browned. Take away from the skillet and put aside.

In the identical skillet, add a bit extra oil over medium-high warmth. Add the onion, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, and ⅛ teaspoon salt. Combine in and cook dinner till the onions flip golden. We’re utilizing entire spices right here, as a result of we’re going to mix the onion combination. If you happen to don’t wish to mix the onion combination, then use floor fennel seeds and floor black pepper as a substitute.

Add splashes of water as wanted to assist the onion cook dinner evenly, however don’t add an excessive amount of water, as a result of we wish to get the onion golden and in addition barely dried out reasonably than mushy. Historically, you employ fried onion on this recipe, however right here we are going to cook dinner it till golden brown earlier than continuing.

Halfway by means of cooking the onion, add the garlic and proceed to cook dinner. As soon as the onion is golden, switch it to a blender, if mixing. Add 1½ to 2 tablespoons of Kashmiri chili powder and 1 cup of water, then mix the combination till easy. Chances are you’ll must mix for a minute, let it sit for 2-3 minutes, after which mix once more for an additional 30 seconds. If the combination is simply too thick, add extra water to assist mix it easily.

In the identical skillet over medium warmth, add a teaspoon of oil. Add the black cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon stick and sauté for just a few seconds. Then add the asafoetida (if utilizing), after which add the blended onion combination, tomato puree, the entire floor spices, and remaining salt. Combine in.

Rinse out the blender with ½ cup of water and add it to the skillet. Then, add the cooked tofu slices, cut back the warmth to low, cowl, and let it simmer for 20-Half-hour. The sauce ought to cook dinner low and sluggish to develop all of that taste. It’s going to thicken barely and there shall be purple sheen of oil on prime. Even when no sheen develops, the colour will darken, and the dish will begin to scent wealthy and roasted.

After 20-25 minutes, style and modify the salt and taste. Add a contact of sugar to stability the flavors, when you like, or a contact of lemon juice. Garnish with some cilantro and non-dairy yogurt, if you want. Let it simmer for an additional couple of minutes, then change off the warmth.

What to Serve with Kashmiri Lal Tofu

Serve this scrumptious vegan Kashmiri lal paneer with rice, quinoa, pulao, naan, flatbread, sourdough, or roasted greens. The thick and flavorful sauce pairs nicely with any protein of your alternative.

You may as well make Naan or pita wraps. Slice the tofu and add to the wrap together with crunchy veggies resembling lettuce or cabbage. High with chopped onion and tomato and among the sauce.