Butter paneer and paneer butter masala are two popular Indian dishes that are quite similar. Both dishes feature paneer, a fresh cheese common in Indian cuisine, in a rich and creamy tomato-based sauce. However, there are some key differences between these two dishes.
Main Ingredients
The main ingredients in both butter paneer and paneer butter masala are:
- Paneer – cubes of fresh cheese
- Tomatoes – pureed into a sauce
- Onions
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Spices – such as coriander, cumin, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder
- Fresh cream or cashew paste – for richness and creaminess
- Butter – for richness
The key difference in ingredients is that butter paneer contains more butter, while paneer butter masala contains more cream.
Cooking Method
Butter paneer is cooked in the following steps:
- Paneer cubes are fried in butter until golden brown.
- Onions, garlic, ginger and spices are sautéed in butter.
- Tomatoes are pureed and cooked down into a thick sauce.
- Fried paneer cubes are added to the tomato sauce and simmered for a few minutes.
- Fresh cream or cashew paste is stirred in for richness.
- Butter is added at the end and stirred through to finish.
Paneer butter masala is cooked differently:
- Paneer cubes are lightly fried or sautéed, but not browned.
- Onions, garlic, ginger and spices are sautéed in oil or ghee.
- Tomatoes are pureed and simmered into a thick sauce.
- Paneer cubes are added directly to the tomato sauce.
- The dish is finished off with fresh cream or cashew paste and a dash of butter.
So paneer for butter paneer is fried longer to brown it, while for paneer butter masala it is only lightly sautéed. Butter paneer also uses more butter overall.
Texture
The texture of the two dishes is slightly different:
- Butter paneer – the paneer is crispy and browned on the outside from frying. The sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Paneer butter masala – the paneer is soft and moist throughout. The sauce is equally creamy.
So butter paneer offers more contrast between the crispy paneer and creamy sauce.
Flavor
Butter paneer has a richer, more robust flavor because of the high amount of butter. The browning of the paneer also adds a nutty depth.
Paneer butter masala has a milder, more delicately spiced flavor. The fresh cream lends a subtle milky taste.
Origins
Butter paneer originated in Punjabi cuisine and was likely influenced by British cooking styles. It uses classic ingredients like butter and tomatoes.
Paneer butter masala comes from North Indian Mughlai cuisine, which is influenced by Persian and Arabic cooking. It uses more cream than butter.
Conclusion
In summary, while both dishes are creamy curries with paneer, butter paneer has a richer taste, crispy paneer cubes and more butter. Paneer butter masala is mildly spiced, soft paneered, and uses more cream. The cooking method also differs, with butter paneer frying the paneer longer. So in essence, butter paneer is a butterier, crisper version while paneer butter masala is a milder, smoother version. Both are beloved Indian dishes!