Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe
45 Mins
4-5 People
10 Mins
Introduction
Hello, I am Ajay Chopra. Every time I travel to Gujarat, especially Surat, I get inspired by its street food. The food there is simple, bold, and full of character.
Surti Egg Ghotala is very popular on the streets of Surat. I decided to give it a twist and make it vegetarian. That is how this Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe came to life.
Ingredients of Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe\
Portion/Servings: 4–5 pax
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
For Leela Masala
- Coriander – a handful
- Green garlic – 8–10 pieces
- Green chilli – 2 pieces
- Water – as required
For Paneer Ghotala
- Oil – 1 tbsp
- Butter – 1 tbsp
- Jeera – 1 tsp
- Onion (chopped) – 2 pcs
- Leela masala – ½ cup
- Garlic & red chilli chutney – 1 tbsp
- Red chilli powder – 1 tsp
- Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
- Pav bhaji masala – 1 tsp
- Coriander powder – 1 tsp
- Tomato (chopped) – 2 pcs
- Ketchup – 1 tsp
- Kasoori methi – 1 tbsp
- Water – as required
- Salt – 1 tsp
- Paneer (grated) – 1½ cups
- Splash of water
- Processed cheese (grated) – ¼ cup
- Coriander (chopped) – 1 tbsp
For Masala Pav
- Butter – as required
- Garlic & red chilli chutney – 1 tsp
- Pav bhaji masala – 1 tsp
- Coriander (chopped) – as required
- Salt – a pinch
- Ladi pav – as required
Instructions of Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Leela Masala
Wash fresh coriander thoroughly and roughly chop it. Clean the green garlic and cut into small pieces. Break the green chillies. Add coriander, green garlic, green chillies, and required water into a blender jar. Grind to a smooth, bright green paste. This aromatic paste is known as leela masala and forms the flavour base of Surti-style ghotala. Keep aside.
Step 2: Base Masala Preparation
Heat oil and butter together in a heavy-bottom pan on medium flame. Once the butter melts, add cumin seeds and allow them to crackle. Add chopped onions and sauté until they turn soft and light golden. Properly cooked onions are essential for balanced flavour. Add the prepared leela masala and cook for 4–5 minutes on medium flame, stirring continuously, until the raw aroma disappears and oil begins to separate slightly.
Step 3: Spicing the Masala
Add garlic & red chilli chutney and sauté for a minute. Now add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, pav bhaji masala, and coriander powder. Mix well and cook the spices for 1–2 minutes, adding a small splash of water to prevent burning. Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they turn soft and mushy and the masala becomes thick and well blended. This step gives body and colour to the ghotala.
Step 4: Final Masala Balance
Add ketchup and crushed kasoori methi. Mix well. Add required water to adjust the consistency to a semi-thick bhaji-style texture. Season with salt and simmer for 5–7 minutes, allowing all flavours to merge beautifully.
Step 5: Adding Paneer
Lower the flame and add grated paneer. Mix gently and cook for 2–3 minutes. Add a small splash of water to keep the mixture moist and prevent sticking. Paneer should remain soft and creamy. Add grated processed cheese and mix until it melts completely into the ghotala, giving a rich and creamy finish. Switch off the flame and garnish with chopped coriander.
Step 6: Preparing Masala Pav
Heat a tawa and add butter generously. Slit the ladi pav horizontally. Place them cut-side down on the tawa. Apply garlic & red chilli chutney, sprinkle pav bhaji masala and a pinch of salt. Toast until crisp and golden. Finish with chopped coriander.
Step 7: Serving
Serve hot Surti Paneer Ghotala with buttered masala pav. This dish pairs best with extra butter on top and finely chopped onions on the side for an authentic Surti street-style experience.
About the Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe
This Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe is inspired completely by Surat street food. The base of this dish is a green chutney known as leela masala. It is made using coriander, green garlic, green chilli, garlic, and a little water. This chutney gives the dish its identity.
In Surat, street vendors usually ask whether you want oil, butter, or both. For this Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe, I prefer using both oil and butter together. This keeps the flavor rich but not too heavy.
The green chutney and red garlic-chilli chutney are cooked slowly until oil comes on top. This step is very important because it reduces raw sharpness and builds depth. Dry spices, tomatoes, ketchup, and kasuri methi are then added to balance the flavors.
Paneer absorbs masala very fast, so a little water is needed to maintain texture. At the end, some cheese is added for softness and stretch. Fresh coriander finishes the Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe perfectly.
Cooking Tips for Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe
- Always cook the green chutney properly until oil separates.
- Use both oil and butter to get proper street-style taste.
- Do not skip the red garlic-chilli chutney, it adds strong flavor.
- Add water carefully because paneer absorbs masala quickly.
- Use cheese only for texture, not to overpower the dish.
Pairing Guide for Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe
- Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe pairs best with masala pav.
- The pav should be tossed in butter and red garlic-chilli chutney.
- Serve it hot, straight from the pan for best experience.
- A simple buttermilk works well with this dish.
Frequently Asked Questions about Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe
1. What is Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe?
Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe is a vegetarian version of Surti egg ghotala made using paneer and street-style masalas.
2. Why is it called ghotala?
It is called ghotala because many ingredients are mixed and mashed together while cooking.
3. What is leela masala in Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe?
Leela masala is a green chutney made with coriander, green garlic, green chilli, garlic, and water.
4. Can I use only butter in Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe?
You can, but mixing oil and butter gives better balance and taste.
5. Why is water added after paneer?
Paneer absorbs masala quickly, so water helps maintain proper texture.
6. Is cheese necessary in Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe?
Cheese is added for softness and stretch, which is common in Surat street food.
7. Is this recipe very spicy?
The spice level comes from green and red chillies and can be adjusted.
8. Is Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe a main course?
It is usually served as a street-style meal with pav.
9. What bread goes best with this recipe?
Masala pav cooked with butter and red chutney pairs best.
10. Is Street Style Surti Paneer Ghotala Recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, it is made entirely with paneer and is perfect for vegetarian street food lovers.