# Navratri Special White Gravy Paneer

> This Navratri-friendly dish features soft paneer simmered in a creamy, nutty sauce made from blended cashews and peanuts. It is a wholesome choice that pairs beautifully with your favorite fasting-friendly sides.

- Category: Dinner
- Diet: Vegetarian
- Time: 25 min · Serves 4 · Easy
- Per serving: 246 kcal · 15 g protein · 4 g carbs · 21 g fat
- Tags: High Protein, Calcium, Navratri Friendly
- Published: 2026-10-10
- Source: https://idyora.com/recipes/navratri-special-white-gravy-paneer

## Ingredients

### For the Gravy Base
- ½ cup cashews, soaked
- ¼ cup peanuts, roasted
- 2 medium green chilli, chopped
- ½ cup water

### For the Paneer Curry
- 200 g paneer, cubed
- 1 tbsp ghee
- 1 tsp cumin
- Rock salt
- 1 tbsp coriander leaves, chopped

## Method

1. **Prepare the Nut Paste.** Combine the ½ cup soaked cashews, ¼ cup roasted peanuts, and 2 chopped green chillies in a blender with a splash of water. Blend until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
2. **Sauté the Cumin.** Heat 1 tbsp ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add 1 tsp cumin and let it sizzle until the seeds darken slightly and become aromatic.
3. **Simmer the Gravy.** Pour the nut paste and ½ cup water into the pan. Add 1 tsp rock salt, stir well, and simmer on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes until the gravy thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
4. **Add Paneer.** Gently fold in 200 g cubed paneer. Cook on low heat for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the paneer cubes are warmed through and look soft and slightly glossy from the sauce.
5. **Garnish and Serve.** Turn off the heat once the gravy reaches your desired consistency. Sprinkle 1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves over the top and serve immediately while hot.

## Tips

- Soak your cashews in warm water for at least 30 minutes to ensure the smoothest possible gravy texture.
- Keep the heat low when simmering the nut paste to prevent the bottom from sticking or burning.
- For a thinner consistency, add a little extra warm water gradually until you reach your desired thickness.

## How to serve

Serve this creamy dish hot alongside fresh buckwheat rotis or samak rice for a complete Navratri meal.

## Nutrients per serving

- Fibre: 0.9g
- Calcium: 217mg
- Iron: 0.8mg
- Sodium: 12mg
- Vitamin C: 0mg

## Why it's good for you

Paneer is a traditional dairy product that is valued for its protein and fat content, making it a versatile component in vegetarian diets [1]. It is obtained through heat and acid coagulation of milk, which helps retain a portion of its natural nutrients [2]. When consumed as part of a balanced diet, paneer provides a source of protein and calcium [1]. Cashews are energy-dense and provide a concentrated source of nutrition, including unsaturated fats [3] [4]. While they are high in energy, regular nut consumption has not been consistently linked with weight gain in various studies [4]. Peanuts are technically legumes and are noted for their protein content, which is plant-based, and their profile of unsaturated fats [5]. Including such ingredients in your meals can add variety and texture to your everyday cooking. As with any dietary changes, especially for those managing specific health conditions, it is best to plan your meals in consultation with your doctor or a registered dietitian.

## Sources

1. [Paneer in everyday diet: Health impacts, risks, and best consumption practices](https://exa.ai/library/publication/v0ppvhdf6zd) — exa.ai, 2024
2. [Paneer—An Indian soft cheese variant: a review - PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4008736/) — US National Institutes of Health
3. [11. CASHEW NUT NUTRITIONAL ASPECTS - B.K.Nandi[11]](https://www.fao.org/4/ac451e/ac451e0b.htm) — FAO
4. [The Metabolizable Energy and Lipid Bioaccessibility of Tree Nuts and Peanuts: A Systematic Review with Narrative Synthesis of Human and In Vitro Studies](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10334117/) — US National Institutes of Health, 2023
5. [Peanuts as functional food: a review - PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4711439/) — US National Institutes of Health