Add ghee to a frying pan or kadai pan and fry the chopped paneer. You can skip this step if you want and mix in the fresh chopped paneer into the stew at the very end. Remove and set aside.
Add the chopped vegetables and stir fry for several minutes. Remove and set aside.Note: you can use all kinds of vegetables, even canned if you want. These are the vegetables I had on hand.
Prepare the stew
Add a tablespoon of ghee and heat in the pressure cooker; heat, then add ginger, cumin seeds, chopped green chili, black mustard seeds, cook and stir for a few minutes until the seeds sputter and a nice fragrance is released.
Add the tomato puree. You could use chopped tomatoes - I didn't have any so I used a can of tomato puree. Makes for a smooth sauce.If using puree, cook and stir a few minutes. If using fresh, chopped tomatoes, cook several minutes until they are soft and mushy.
Add the turmeric & coriander powders, salt and pepper (and vegetable cube if using) and cook and stir for a few minutes to remove rawness from the spices.
Add the rinsed red lentils and chopped, sauteed vegetables (NOT sauteed paneer), (and fresh paneer IF you are not going to pan fry it); stir to mix well. Add the vegetable broth (or water) mix well, cover and turn heat to medium low and cook for 4 - 5 whistles.
Remove from heat and allow to sit until pressure is naturally released.
Stir in the lemon juice, pan fried paneer and fresh chopped cilantro.