Ingredients:

For the Paneer Marinade:

• 250 grams paneer (cottage cheese), cut into bite-sized cubes
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (maida)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (cornflour)
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
• A pinch of black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1-2 tablespoons water

For the Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 green bell pepper (capsicum), diced
• 1 red bell pepper (capsicum), diced
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 2-3 green chilies, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon red chili sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
• 1/2 teaspoon vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• Salt to taste
• A pinch of black pepper

For Garnish:

• Spring onions, green parts, chopped

Instructions:

1. Preparing the Paneer:

• In a mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, cornstarch, red chili powder, black pepper, and salt.

• Add 1-2 tablespoons of water to make a thick batter. It should coat the back of a spoon.

• Dip the paneer cubes into the batter to coat them evenly.

2. Frying Paneer:

• Heat oil in a pan or wok over medium-high heat.

• Fry the paneer cubes until they are golden brown and crispy. Remove them from the oil and set them aside on a paper towel to remove excess oil.

3. Making the Sauce:

• In the same pan, leave about 2 tablespoons of oil (you can use the same oil used for frying the paneer).

• Add the chopped onions, ginger-garlic paste, and green chilies. Sauté until the onions turn translucent.

• Add the diced bell peppers and stir-fry for a few minutes until they are slightly tender but still crunchy.

4. Adding the Sauce:

• Add soy sauce, red chili sauce, tomato ketchup, vinegar, sugar, salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix everything well.

• Let the sauce cook for a few minutes until it thickens slightly.

5. Combining Paneer and Sauce:

• Add the fried paneer cubes to the sauce. Toss to coat them evenly with the sauce.

6. Garnish and Serve:

• Garnish with chopped spring onions (green parts).

• Serve your Chilli Paneer hot as an appetizer or a side dish with steamed rice or noodles.

Enjoy the spicy and tangy flavors of this delightful Indo-Chinese dish!