Name: ~Vrat Thecha Paneer~: A Fasting-Friendly Navratri Spiced Paneer Recipe
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: For the thecha paste:; 1 tsp Ghee; ½ tsp Cumin seeds; 1 tsp Ginger (grated); 2 Green chillies; 2 tbsp Peanuts; 1 handfull Coriander leaves; a few sprigs Mint leaves; to taste Sendha namak (rock salt); For cooking the paneer:; 150 g Paneer (cut into cubes); a few drops Ghee, for the tawa

Question 1

Can I use regular salt instead of sendha namak?

Accepted Answer

This recipe is specifically designed as a vrat (fasting) dish, and sendha namak (rock salt) is the traditional fasting salt used in Indian vrat cuisine. If you are making this outside of a fasting context, regular salt works perfectly fine.

Question 2

What does ‘thecha’ mean?

Accepted Answer

Thecha is a Maharashtrian condiment traditionally made by pounding green chillies and garlic together on a grinding stone. It is characteristically coarse, bold, and spicy. This vrat version replaces garlic with ginger and adds peanuts and herbs to make it fasting-friendly.

Question 3

Can I use a grill or air fryer instead of a tawa?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Lightly brush the coated paneer with ghee and grill or air-fry at 180°C for 8–10 minutes, turning halfway. The tawa method gives a slightly more even crust, but both work well.

Question 4

My thecha paste tastes too spicy. How do I fix it?

Accepted Answer

Reduce the green chillies to just one, or deseed them before blending. Adding an extra handful of coriander or a spoonful of hung curd to the paste will also mellow the heat while keeping it fresh.

Question 5

Can I make the thecha paste in advance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the thecha paste can be made up to a day ahead and stored in the fridge in an airtight container. Coat the paneer just before cooking for the best result.