Roasted Paneer with Asparagus
Prep
15 mins
Cook
25 mins
Servings
4
Difficulty
Easy
This is one of my favorite weeknight dinners because it comes together in just 40 minutes and tastes like something from a fancy restaurant. Paneer is packed with protein and calcium, making it so satisfying, while the fresh asparagus adds a lovely lightness to the dish. The beauty of roasting everything together is that you get these caramelized edges and tender vegetables with minimal fuss. Just toss your ingredients with aromatic garlic, cumin, and thyme, pop it in the oven, and you're done. It's simple, delicious, and honestly costs far less than ordering takeout.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 400 gpaneer cheese(cut into 2cm cubes)
- 500 gfresh asparagus(trimmed and halved lengthwise)
- 4 tablespoonsolive oil
- 4garlic cloves(minced)
- 1lemon(zest and juice)
- 2 teaspoonsfresh thyme(dried or fresh)
- 1 teaspooncumin seeds
- 1 teaspoonblack peppercorns(freshly ground)
- ½ teaspoonsea salt
- 1red onion(thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoonsfresh cilantro(chopped)
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F). Pat the paneer cubes dry with a clean kitchen towel to help them brown evenly during roasting.
Tip: Dry paneer ensures a better golden crust and prevents steaming.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, thyme, cumin seeds, black pepper, and sea salt. Stir until well blended.
Tip: Prepare this mixture while the oven preheats to save time.
- 3
Add the paneer cubes and red onion slices to the oil mixture. Gently toss until all pieces are evenly coated with the aromatic oil.
Tip: Be gentle to avoid breaking the paneer pieces.
- 4
Arrange the asparagus spears on one side of a large baking sheet. Spread the paneer and red onion mixture on the other side, ensuring they're in a single layer.
Tip: Using separate areas prevents the vegetables from steaming the paneer.
- 5
Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, stirring the paneer mixture halfway through, until the paneer is golden brown and asparagus is tender with slightly crispy tips.
Tip: Paneer should be lightly charred at the edges for best flavor.
- 6
Remove from the oven and immediately squeeze the fresh lemon juice over the entire dish. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and a pinch of additional sea salt.
Tip: Adding lemon juice while hot infuses more flavor into the dish.
- 7
Transfer to a serving platter or individual plates and serve immediately while the paneer is still warm and the asparagus is at its peak crispness.
Recipe Variations
Get AI-powered ingredient substitution suggestions.
You Might Also Like
Beergarita
My go to drink for summer gatherings is this refreshing Beergarita, and let me tell you, it's a total crowd pleaser. The combination of tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, and a cold Corona creates something that tastes way more complicated than it actually is. Lime juice is packed with vitamin C, which is great for your immune system, and the whole thing takes just five minutes to throw together. Best part? It's incredibly budget friendly since you're probably already stocking most of these ingredients anyway.
Tropical Quinoa
This tropical quinoa bowl has become my go to weeknight dinner because it comes together in just forty minutes and tastes like a mini vacation on a plate. Quinoa is one of my favorite ingredients since it's a complete protein with all nine essential amino acids, making it so satisfying and perfect for keeping energy levels steady. The combination of papaya, red bell pepper, and fresh cilantro brings vibrant flavors and colors, while the rice wine vinegar and orange zest add just the right brightness. Best part is the ingredient list is simple and affordable, yet feels fancy enough to impress anyone at your table.
Crispy seabass with preserved lemon yogurt
This is one of my favorite quick weeknight dinners because it comes together in just ten minutes flat. Crispy seabass with preserved lemon yogurt is that perfect balance of impressive and effortless, with tangy Greek yogurt and zingy preserved lemon creating a sauce that feels restaurant quality but tastes like home. The seabass gets beautifully golden and flaky while the freekeh provides substantial whole grains packed with fiber and protein. It's the kind of meal that makes you feel like you're treating yourself without any fuss.
Reviews
Sign in to write a review.