Paneer Korma (Mild Creamy Curry with a Cashew and Almond Sauce)

Paneer korma is a gentle, creamy North Indian curry centred on paneer, the firm fresh cheese prized for holding its shape in rich gravies. Korma is typically milder than many everyday curries, with warmth coming from spices such as cardamom, cumin, coriander, turmeric and garam masala rather than chilli heat. Here, soaked cashews and blanched almonds give the sauce its plush body, while cooked-down onion, ginger, garlic and tomato add savoury depth and a little sweetness. Finished with double cream, it is smooth, nutty and well suited to basmati rice or naan.
Cuisine style North Indian-style curry
Spice level Mild
Cooking style Make-ahead friendly
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Silky nut-based sauce: Soaked cashews and blanched almonds blend into a smooth base that gives the korma body without needing a long simmer.
  • Gentle depth: Onion, ginger, garlic, cardamom and ground spices are cooked before blending, creating a rounded sauce with warmth rather than heat.
  • Rich but balanced: Tomato adds sweetness and acidity, helping balance the richness of the nuts, ghee and cream.

Get the most out of this recipe

Texture tips

  • Blend thoroughly: Blend the onion, tomato and soaked nuts until completely smooth; a longer blend gives the sauce its classic creamy korma texture.
  • Keep the finish gentle: After adding the double cream, warm the curry over low heat and avoid boiling so the sauce stays glossy and unified.

Ingredient notes

  • Use firm paneer: Firm paneer holds its shape best when stirred through the sauce and gently simmered.
  • Cardamom adds fragrance: Green cardamom pods give the sauce a warm, aromatic lift that suits the mild, creamy style of the curry.

Make-ahead tips

  • Make the sauce ahead: The blended sauce can be prepared in advance and refrigerated, then reheated gently before adding the paneer and cream.
  • Reheat slowly: Warm leftovers over low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened. Avoid hard boiling to protect the creamy texture.

Serving ideas

  • Serve with rice: Basmati rice works well with the rich sauce and keeps the meal balanced.
  • Serve with naan: Naan is ideal for scooping up the thick cashew and almond gravy.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Put the cashew nuts and blanched almonds in a mixing bowl and cover with just-boiled water. Leave to soak for 20 minutes, then drain well.
  2. Meanwhile, thinly slice the yellow onion. Peel the ginger root and garlic, then roughly chop both.
  3. Heat the ghee in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the green cardamom pods and onion with a pinch of the fine sea salt, then cook for 10 to 12 minutes until soft and lightly golden.
  4. Stir in the ginger and garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the ground cumin, ground coriander and ground turmeric and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  5. Add the canned chopped tomatoes and the remaining fine sea salt. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the tomatoes have cooked down and the ghee begins to separate slightly at the edges.
  6. Tip the tomato-onion mixture into a blender and add the drained nuts. Blend until very smooth, adding a splash of water if needed to help it move, then return the sauce to the saucepan.
  7. Cut the paneer into bite-sized cubes and stir into the sauce. Simmer gently for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring carefully, until the paneer is heated through and the sauce looks glossy.
  8. Lower the heat and stir in the garam masala and double cream. Warm for 2 to 3 minutes without boiling, then taste and adjust with a little more fine sea salt if needed.

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Recipe notes

Serving suggestions

This recipe pairs well with:

Basmati rice Naan

Tips

  • For the smoothest, most festive korma, blend the sauce for a full minute and scrape down the blender jug once or twice so no nut pieces remain.
  • Keep the heat low after adding the double cream; if it boils hard, the sauce can split and lose its silky texture.

Substitutions

  • Replace ghee with unsalted butter for a similar richness.
  • Replace double cream with cooking cream for a lighter finish, and simmer a couple of minutes longer to thicken.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool, cover and refrigerate. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat until piping hot, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened; avoid boiling once reheated to keep the cream smooth.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 55min (35min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Allergens:
    Almonds Cashews Milk Tree nuts
With serving suggestions Kid friendly

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