Hello there, food lovers! Today, I want to discuss a favourite in Indian cuisine: the Makhani gravy recipe. This creamy goodness can be found in many Indian homes and restaurants; it adds flavour to dishes with its smooth taste. It is made from tomatoes and butter and mixed with aromatic spices, giving it an extra velvety feel and some sweetness when served with paneer or chicken.
But do you know what makes this sauce more interesting? It’s versatility! Yes, it can turn any meal into a masterpiece by being used as a base for various dishes, making them fantastic. So next time, don’t forget about the Makhani Gravy recipe with ingredients while cooking—who knows, maybe it could change everything!!
Why I LOVE… Makhani Gravy Recipe!
Makhani gravy recipe? Oh, let me count the ways I love it! First off, it’s like a flavor EXPLOSION in my mouth. The mix of tomatoes, butter, and spices creates this magical taste that’s out of this world. Plus, it’s so VERSATILE. Whether I’m dunking some crispy naan in it or smothering it over juicy chicken, it always takes the dish to a whole new level of deliciousness. And that creamy texture? It’s like a cozy blanket for my taste buds, wrapping them in pure comfort. Whenever I need a pick-me-up or want to treat myself, a bowl of makhani gravy never fails to hit the spot. It’s comfort food at its finest, and I’m here for it every single time!
Evolution of Makhani Sauce Recipe
The history of Makhani gravy is fascinating and complex. It is believed to have originated in Delhi, India, at the Moti Mahal restaurant in the mid-1900s. Kundan Lal Gujral, the founder of this establishment, is often credited with creating what has become an iconic Indian dish.
Gujral came up with makhani after having too much leftover tandoori chicken on his hands one day; he would simmer these leftovers down into rich, buttery tomato sauces until eventually… voila! Makhani was born through such innovative use of pollution it quickly became popular not only within India but also worldwide.
But why do people love Makhani so much? Let me tell you!
What makes Makhani Special?
Makhni’s magic lies within its mix-and-match fusion style, which harmoniously combines different flavours—tangy tomatoes meet fragrant spices embraced by rich butter content, etc. This wide variety allows for great versatility when cooking any other dish alongside it, as the other dish will only be enhanced because it is already richly flavoured.
However, the taste isn’t everything about the makhani sauce recipe – there’s more than what meets your mouth! Preparing makhani can be likened to conducting a symphony orchestra where various components are added sequentially and left boiling over time, during which each fuses into another, thereby producing different heights or crescendos in flavour intensity until done. At the completion stage, one cannot help marvelling at such beauty displayed through vibrant orange colouration accompanied by creamy consistency plus an irresistible smell that always tickles our noses and then provokes us to salivate uncontrollably– isn’t that amazing?
Another technique I use to make my makhani taste better is smoking them slightly; a smoked variant has deeper flavours compared to regular ones, thus giving it an edge over them taste-wise. Smoking may require some skill before perfecting, but once achieved, believe me, you will never have enough of it as your taste buds keep asking for more every time!
What are the Makhani Gravy Ingredients?
The lip-smackingness associated with makhani gravy is due to some carefully chosen ingredients. These include ripe tomatoes, butter, cream, onions, ginger, and garlic, among many Indian spices such as cumin seed coriander powder, turmeric powder, ground red chillies, or paprika and garam masala spice mix, which can be store-bought or homemade depending on one’s personal preference. Additionally, sugar honey may also find its way into this dish to balance out the sourness present within tomatoes themselves.
Each component used while preparing makkhanis plays an indispensable role: tomato forms basis while contributing color richness followed by dairy fat content from both milk solids contained in butterfat itself but also added via heavy whipping cream; onion adds sweetness along with pungency provided by fresh ginger root.
What Dishes Go well with Makhani Gravy?
Makhni sauce offers huge flexibility when it comes to pairing up dishes since almost anything works perfectly fine! Some well-known combinations include chicken butter masala. Where the main ingredient was initially cooked using this very same type of sauce and then finished off with cubes of paneer cheese being immersed into it too, thus making ‘paneer makhani.’ Another popular option involves mixing various vegetables like potatoes, carrots, peas, etcetera, all cooked separately until tender before being combined together along with diced mixed peppers and finally served over steamed rice or plain naan bread – yum indeed!! Do not limit yourself, though, because if we think outside our comfort zones, there could be endless possibilities, such as pasta topped off with pizza, etc.
So, if you are ever planning on throwing one big Indian dinner bash, then please don’t forget about including some Makhanis into your menu! Not only will they help ensure everyone leaves impressed, but they also ensure no one ever forgets their time spent at such feasts either!
My Makhani Gravy Recipe: Image Gallery
Chef Yogi’s Notes: Hints for Making the Greatest Makhani Gravy Recipe
Creating the ultimate Makhani gravy is an art. Below are some tips that can help you achieve mastery of it:
Use ripe tomatoes: The quality of tomatoes may make or break your Makhani gravy – so do ensure they’re ripe and juicy enough for best results.
Balance your spices: Indian cooking is all about balance; therefore, ensure that your spices blend well together without being too overpowering.
As I said earlier, injecting a bit of smoke could boost the gravy’s taste. To do this, place some hot charcoal in a bowl, pour over some ghee, and put it in a pot with gravy. Cover the pot, then allow a few minutes for smoke to infuse into the sauce.
Ingredients
- 6 number Medium size Ripe Tomatoes 450 gm
- ½ Cup Cashews 75 gm
- ¼ piece Green Capsicum 30 gm
- 2 number Bay Leaves
- 1 piece Mace
- 8 number Green Cardamom pods
- 8 cloves of Peeled Garlic 10 gm
- 2 Inch piece of peeled Ginger 10 gm
- 1/2 tbsp Table Salt
- 250 ml Water
- 40 gm Yellow Salted/Unsalted Butter
- 3 Tbsp Red Chilli Powder Kashmiri( This variety is less hot & much brighter in color) alternatively use dry paprika powder
- 100 gm Cooking Cream
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 small Live Coal
- 6-8 number Cloves
- 1 tsp Ghee
Instructions
Making Tomato Paste:
- In a pressure cooker, combine tomatoes, cashews, green capsicum, bay leaves, mace, green cardamom, peeled garlic, ginger, table salt, and water.
- Cook on medium heat for 20 minutes and then remove from the flame.
- Allow it to cool completely, then transfer the mixture to a food processor.
- Grind into a fine puree.
Finishing the Base:
- In a thick-bottomed pot, add butter and stir in the red chilli powder.
- Immediately add the tomato puree, remaining butter & Sugar
- Simmer on a low flame for 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Blend cooking cream mix well and switch off the flame
Smoking the Gravy:
- Take a small metal bowl and place a live piece of charcoal in it. Add cloves and ghee on top.
- Let the smoke release.
- Close the lid for 10 minutes. Remove the bowl.
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