How to Make Paneer Bhapa at Home

Paneer Bhapa 🧀🌶️

A flavourful Bengali-style steamed paneer recipe made with mustard, poppy seeds and a hint of mustard oil. Simple, creamy and full of flavour!

📝 Ingredients

• 250 g paneer, cut into cubes
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard seeds
• 1 tbsp black mustard seeds
• 1 tbsp posto (poppy seeds)
• 3–4 green chillies
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp red chilli powder
• Salt as per taste
• 3 tbsp thick curd
• 1–2 tbsp mustard oil
• 2–3 green chillies, slit

👩‍🍳 Preparation

1. Soak the yellow mustard seeds, black mustard seeds and posto in warm water for 10–15 minutes.
2. Drain the water and grind everything with 3–4 green chillies into a smooth paste.
3. In a bowl, add the prepared paste, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, salt and thick curd. Mix everything well to make a creamy marinade.
4. Add the paneer cubes and gently coat them with the marinade. Let them rest for a few minutes so the flavours can blend.

🍳 Cooking Method

1. Transfer the marinated paneer into a steel tiffin box or any heatproof container.
2. Drizzle mustard oil over the paneer and add the slit green chillies on top.
3. Cover the container and place it in a steamer or a pan with water.
4. Cover and steam on medium heat for 15–20 minutes, until the paneer is cooked and the mustard flavours are well absorbed.
5. Let it rest for a few minutes before opening and serving.

🍽️ Serving Suggestion

Serve hot with steamed rice for a delicious Bengali-style meal.

Add nutrition estimates and serving sizeInclude a pan-steaming alternative