Paneer Bhurji (Scrambled Paneer Masala)

What can be more appealing than a quick and easy Paneer recipe that can fill your dinner table with a bit of extra spice and flavor, without breaking your back after a hard day at work! Paneer Bhurji, also known as Scrambled Paneer, is just the thing you need to get oohs-and-aahs out of your family even on a weeknight. Just toss in some cottage cheese with some chopped vegetables and a dash of spices and you are all set. Serve it with fresh Chapatis or Naans. It not only makes for a deliciously easy meal, but is also healthy, filling and nutritious!

Ingredients
200 gms Paneer (Homemade Paneer Recipe)
1 tbsp Oil
1/4 tsp Cumin seeds
2 Green Chillies
1 Small Onion
1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
1/2 tsp Garam Masala Powder
1 tsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
1 medium Tomato
1/2 tsp Salt

Method
Chop the onions, tomatoes and chillies finely.

Heat oil in a deep bottomed pan, add the cumin seeds, chopped onions and the ginger garlic paste, fry till brown. Add the chillies and tomatoes and fry till they are soft and pulpy.

Add turmeric powder, garam masala powder, salt and little water so that all the masalas are well combined. Add grated paneer and fry for 5 minutes till the paneer blends into the masala.

Garnish with chopped coriander and serve hot with Rotis or Naan.

11:49 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Kadhai Paneer

If you are craving for a simple yet tasty Paneer recipe that won't take hours of preparation, and which you can savor with Rotis/Parathas/Naans or Rice, look no further. Kadhai Paneer is a healthy, nutritious, protein-rich and almost fat-free Indian curry that will leave you satisfied at the end of your meal. Flavored with kasuri-methi, ginger-garlic and a blend of mild Indian spices, it can be ready in a jiffy and can be a perfect accompaniment to bread or rice for a fulfilling weeknight dinner! Sending this over to Srivalli for Monthly Mingle, featuring Kid's Lunches this month!

Ingredients
500 gms paneer, cut into cubes
1 & 1/2 cups tomato puree
1 medium onion - chopped
1 medium green bell-pepper - deseeded & chopped
1/2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tsp kasuri methi
1 tsp red chili powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp aamchur (dry mango) powder
1/2 tsp garam masala
salt & sugar - to taste
2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves - chopped
3 tbsp ghee or cooking oil

Method
Heat ghee in a pan, add the chopped onions and the chopped bell-peppers and saute until light brown and soft, but not mushy.

Add the ginger-garlic paste and all the masala powders, except kasuri methi, and roast for 2 mins.

Then add the tomato puree, salt, sugar, kasuri methi and the paneer cubes and let it cook, partially uncovered, for about 8-10 mins on medium heat.

Check for taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander and serve hot with Parathas or Vegetable Pulao.

Related Recipes
Shahi Dum Aloo
Vegetable Korma
Akbari Paneer

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Paneer Tikka with Mango Sauce

Tandoori Paneer Tikka - the name itself makes my mouth water!! Succulent cubes of paneer marinated and grilled or baked in a "tandoori oven", then served with grilled vegetables, is enough to tempt anyone on earth. But this time around, inspired by combining the Indian and Asian tastes in one dish, I have tried a variation which still uses a spicy yogurt marinade, but the final Paneer Tikka is then served hot, drizzled with a home-made sweet and tangy mango dressing, and serves to be a perfect side-dish to an Indian meal. Sounds inviting, right? Just wait till you've actually tasted it, maybe you wouldn't like leaving any for your guests!

I'm sending this to WYF-Side Dish event over at Simple Indian Food.

Ingredients
Fresh Paneer - cut into thick cubes
1 large bell-pepper - diced into squares
1 large red onion - diced into thick slices
Cooking Oil

Tandoori Marinade
1/4 cup yoghurt
2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tsp red chilli powder or paprika
1 tbsp tamarind paste
2 tsp pickle(achaar) - optional
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 tsp orange food color(optional, I did not use it)
1 tbsp tandoori tikka masala (or garam masala)

Mango Dressing
1/4 cup mango puree
4-5 tbsp orange juice
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice (or white wine vinegar)
2 tsp honey or sugar - if required
1/2 tsp salt
freshly ground black pepper

Method
Take the paneer cubes and add them to 1/4 cup of water along with 1/2 tsp turemric powder, 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Soak them for at least 10 mins.

Now take the yoghurt and pass it through a muslin cloth, removing all water content and leaving only the firm yoghurt part. Add all the Marinade ingredients to it; mix well, adjust spices according to taste and set aside.

Now add the marinade to a zip-lock bag, then add all the paneer cubes(remove from salt water) into it, shake it arund so all pices are coated with the marinade, then refrigerate it for at least 2 hours (or maximum overnight).

Baking
Preheat oven to 400 deg F. Now grease a cookie sheet with ample amount of coking oil, then place the marinated paneer pieces on the tray; remove the yogurt sticking on the pieces as it would stick on the sheet while baking.

Apply some light oil on each piece with a brush, sprinkle some more tandoori masala on top, then bake for 10-12 mins. Then flip them over, apply oil on the other side and bake again for another 10 mins (depending on yoor oven, it may take longer) Check after 15 mins to see if the pieces are cooked through evenly.

Turn oven setting to BROIL and allow it to broil for another 2 mins.

Meanwhile, take a pan, add 2 tsp oil to it, and add the cubes of onions and bell-peppers. Saute them on medium-flame till they are semi-cooked and turn glossy. Add some salt and lemon juice according to taste.

Turn off the oven and gently lift the pieces, arrange them on a serving plate. Add the sauteed bell-peppers and onions to the plate, and garnish with some Mango Dressing and chopped coriander.

Grilling or Shallow-Fry
You can cook the paneer and veggies by arranging them on a skewer and grilling it on a hot barbecue grill. Use the same procedure as above, just use grill instead of a conventional oven. Shallow-frying the paneer pieces, just like the veggies is another quick option, but you may not get the smoky, grilled look with this method. But you can choose any method depending on your convenience.

Sweet and Tangy Mango Dressing
Mix the mango puree with all the other ingredients for the dressing and blend well to form a smooth liquid sauce. If its too thick, add some more orange juice; it should be thinner than normal mango puree, but thicker than water.

Arrange the grilled paneer and vegetable on a platter. Top with some Mango Dressing and cilantro. Serve hot as an appetizer or a side dish!

We always order Tandoori Paneer Tikka in restaurants, but now that I have mastered the art of making it at home, we often enjoy it as dinner, just by itself! The addition of Mango Dressing was a winning brainwave, and the basic recipe for the sauce as well as the Tandoori Marinade can be used for any other tikka recipe.

Related Recipes:
Achari Paneer Tikka Wraps
Spicy Chilli Paneer
Savoury Paneer & Sun-dried Tomato Muffins
Restaurant-Style Paneer Butter Masala

6:54 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Puff Pastry Paneer Pinwheels

Appetizers are a great way to entice guests at a party, or when you call friends for a brief chit-chat. And if you are looking for ideas, these deliciously good-looking Paneer Pinwheels(Palmiers) may just be the the starters you were searching for! Made with Pepperidge Farm's Puff Pastry sheets, they are extremely simple to assemble, and need no preparation time, except thawing the pastry sheets. I made mine with the ever-fascinating Paneer, Cilantro Pesto, or chutney, some herbs, seasonings and a generous helping of Cheese. Baked in less than 20 mins, these Paneer Pinwheels are a great treat when served hot or cold, with any dipping sauce that you fancy.

Ingredients
Makes about 24 pinwheels

One package (2 sheets) frozen PepperidgeFarm Puff Pastry
1 cup shredded paneer (how to make paneer at home)
1/2 cup tomato ketchup
1/2 cup green cilantro chutney (or basil pesto) (recipe here)
4 tbsp shredded cheese
2-3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp dried garlic & herb flakes (optional)

Method
Mix the Paneer with the shredded cheese and the garlic & herb flakes, toss around and set aside in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the pinwheels.

Thaw the puff pastry at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or until defrosted and easy to unfold. Gently unfold the 2 sheets on 2 separate baking trays, on a lightly floured surface.

Apply a thin layer of olive oil to the sheets with a brush.

Now remove the Paneer mixture from the fridge. Spread a generous serving of the Green Cilantro Chutney evenly over the pastry sheet, leaving a 1/2 inch border on all 4 sides. Top this with a serving of ketchup; spread gingerly with a spoon.

Now sprinkle half of the paneer-cheese mixture on top of the sauces. Roll up the pastry length-wise, slowly balancing on both sides with your fingers and form a puff-pastry roll.

Use gentle pressure to seal the edges tightly; you can use a little more oil or egg-wash if you like to seal the borders where they meet up. Now cover the roll with a plastic-wrap. Repeat the same with the other pastry sheet, cover with a plastic wrap, and refrigerate both the rolls for at least 30-40 mins, until they become a bit hard and easy to handle.

Now remove from the fridge and using a sharp, serrated knife, slice the rolls to make 1/2-inch thick pinwheels.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange the pinwheels, cut side down, on 2 baking sheets lined with wax paper; leave ample room between them to allow to expand a little.

Apply some egg wash or light oil on the surface of each wheel and Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and a little puffed-up.

Serve these delicious Paneer Pinwheels (Palmiers) straight out from the oven, with a side order of Sweet & Sour Tamarind Chutney.

Related Recipes
Paneer & Sundried Tomato Muffins
Colorful Tirangi Dhokla Sandwich
Paneer Tikka with Mango Dressing
Vegetable Bread Baskets

5:50 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Paneer & Sun-Dried Tomato Muffins

Savory Muffins have a fan-following of their own, and even me, who is an ardent dessert-lover, could not say no to a bit of these delicious muffins made with paneer and sun-dried tomatoes! A recipe that combines classic ingredients in a contemporary style, this is one fusion experiment I love. With Paneer as the star ingredient, I threw in some chopped sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, spring onions, herbs and some more italian cheese. If that does not get you out of bed, what will!? Perfect for your mornings, or as appetizers or mid-day snacks, these savoury paneer muffins are sure to leave a mark of their own!

Ingredients
2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/4th cup whole milk
1 cup cottage cheese - crumbled or shredded
1/2 cup mozarella and parmesan - shredded (optional)
1 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oiled ones, finely chopped)
1/2 cup spring onions - chopped (white and greens separate)
8-10 cloves of garlic - minced
2 tbsp olive oil
2 eggs - beaten
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
salt and black pepper - to taste
4 tbsp basil flakes (adjust amount to suit your taste)
2 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes

Method
Sift the flour, baking powder and baking soda through a sieve. Add the salt, black pepper, herbs, and red pepper flakes. In a pan, add the olive oil, then saute the white prt of the onions and garlic till it starts giving out an aroma. Allow to cool a bit.

In another bowl, beat the eggs to make them fluffy, then add to the sauteed onions/garlic mixture. Combine this with the flour mixture. Slowly add the cottage cheese, mozarella and parmesan, then keep mixing/folding gently as you add milk little by little. Do not overbeat, just mix to combine the ingredients.

Grease 12-muffin pans with non-stick spray. Preheat oven to 350 deg F, then fill the mixture in the muffin pans upto the brim. Bake for 20-25 mins, and not more. Insert a tooth-pick in the center to make sure they are cooked. If the muffin tops look white, tun to broil setting and bake for 15 seconds, not more, or the muffins will get browned (the mistake I did!!)

Once done, allow them to cool on the wire rack. Gently remove from the pan and serve immediately with ketchup or a dipping sauce. Just add a dollop of fresh butter and you can enjoy these cute savoury sun-dried tomato and paneer muffins with your coffee or tea too!!

Related Recipes:
Spinach and Cheese Souffle
Rava Dhokla
Paneer Cutlets

7:22 AM | 0 comments | Read More

How To Make Paneer (Ricotta Cheese) at Home

Paneer, also known as Ricotta or Cottage Cheese is a favorite ingredient in Indian cooking, and there's nothing like fresh homemade paneer! I have posted several paneer recipes on this blog, and over the course of time, a lot of my readers have reported that they live in regions where readymade paneer is not that accessible, and it'd be great to make it at home. Actually, making paneer at home is not such a big deal; its simple and does not require a lot of care or expertise! Plus, homemade paneer guarantees that you are eating something fresh, and its definitely a great resource for those who cannot find it in stores near them. So catering to popular demand, here's a simple recipe to make paneer at home.

I have adapted this recipe from ehow's article on How To Make Paneer and also Indira's post about homemade paneer. You need only two ingredients for this - whole milk and an acid like lemon juice or vinegar. The final quantity of paneer that you get would be about 15% of the weight of the milk you start with. So one liter of milk makes about 150 grams of cheese and a gallon of milk makes a little more than a pound. What you get after curdling the milk is cottage cheese or ricotta; when you press it and shape it like a bar, you would get the firmer version called "paneer", same as what you get in the indian grocery stores.

Ingredients (For 150 gms of paneer)
1 liter whole milk
1/2 lemon or lime - juiced, or 1-3 tsp vinegar
muslin cloth (or anything that's a bit thin)

If you are using 1 Gallon of milk, use juice from one whole lemon

Method
Bring the milk to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent burning or sticking.

When it comes to a boil, stir in the acid and cook for another 2-3 minutes; in a few minutes, you see small curds floating on top. Wait till they get bigger to form small stone-like granules, about five minutes. The solids will clump together (known as channa or curd) and the remaining liquid will become a thin watery white (known as whey).

Now turn off heat and allow to sit for a few minutes to cool.

Strain through the muslin cloth. When the liquid is mostly drained out, lift the cloth by the corners and twist to squeeze out remaining liquid. You can put the cloth with the paneer in it to sit on a colander over the sink for an hour or so till all excess water drips away. What you get at this stage is cottage cheese. If you let it sit for an additional 12 to 24 hrs at room temperature to develop acidity, and then cook it further you will be able to make ricotta cheese.

To make paneer, press the cloth-covered cheese under a 5kg (or anything heavy enough) weight for up to two hours. I folded the cloth around the cheese, then pressed it to shape like a rectangular bar, and put it between two heavy wooden cutting boards. Put something heavier on top of the cutting board to increase the weight. Leave it like this for a couple of hours.

This makes the paneer firm and hard. Now you can store it in an airtight box and refrigerate till ready to use. You can even cut it into cubes and store them.

Cooking with paneer
When you want to use the paneer, remove from fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 mins. Then you can slice it, shred it, grate it or cut it into desired shapes!

Now that you have homemade paneer, try some of these delicious paneer recipes:

Paneer Butter Masala
Savoury Paneer and Tomato Muffins
Spicy Chilli Paneer
Paneer Paratha(Stuffed Flatbread)
Rasgulla - Bengali Sweet

9:16 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Paneer Butter Masala - Restaurant Style Recipe

I can eat Paneer Butter Masala almost every day, but this saturday, our cravings were at a peak-time high as there was light rain outside. Everyone knows I just love Paneer Recipes, and this weekend I decided to make the eternal favorite Paneer Butter Masala, that velvetty-smooth gravy that has all the goodness of indian spices combined with cubes of cottage cheese and garnished with cream and coriander! Now do I have your attention??! Paneer Butter Masala is similar to other paneer gravies, except that as the name implies, it is more rich due to butter and the gravy is thickened by using onions, tomatoes and cashew paste rather than just cream. You cannot go wrong with this, try it for yourself and see!

Believe me, paneer is such a versatile ingredient in Indian cooking, you could make an entire meal using just this, right from appetizers to main course to dessert! Hey maybe they should choose paneer as the next secret ingredient for Iron Chef!:) Till then, try this mouth-watering recipe (adapted from Sanjeev Kapoor's cookbook) at home and enjoy its taste as it lingers on your tongue and your senses!

Ingredients
3 big tomatoes - pureed
250 gms paneer - cubed
2 big onions
1 bay leaf
2 cloves
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tsp red chilli powder
3 tbsps cashewnut paste
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp dhania powder (dry coriander powder)
1/2 tsp kasuri methi (dry fenugreek leaves)
1 tsp tandoori masala (optional for color)
2 tsp garam masala powder
salt and lemon juice - to taste
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp fresh cream
fresh coriander - chopped for garnish

Method
Skin the onions and blanch them in hot water for 3 mins, then ouree them to form a paste. Do the same with tomaotes, unless you are using tomato puree directly.

Take 1 tbsp of ghee, heat in a pan for 2 mins, the saute the paneer cubes in it till golden brown; Now take 1 cup hot water, add a pinch of salt and turmeric powder to it and immerse the paneer cubes in it for 10-12 mins. Then remove the pieces, drain them on a tissue paper and keep aside.

Heat 2 tbsp of butter in a pan, add the bay leaf and the cloves, then add the onion paste and saute till light-brown. Add ginger-garlic paste. Saute for 3 minutes. Add chilli powder, followed by the cashew paste and fry for 5 mins.

Add tomato puree, crushed kasuri methi,coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala and salt. Stir and let it simmer for some time.

Add the paneer cubes and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Add a small cup of water and let it cook on medium heat till you get the desired curry consistency. Remove from fire, stir in remaining butter and fresh cream.

Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve the Paneer Butter Masala with any bread of your choice, pulao or simply jeera rice.

More Paneer Recipes:
Savoury Muffins with Paneer and Sun-dried Tomatoes
Achari Paneer Tikka Wraps
Paneer and Ajwain Paratha
Shahi Paneer
Spicy Chilli Paneer

7:39 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Achari Paneer Tikka Wraps - Healthy and Delicious!!

If you love Paneer Tikka, you are so going to love these Achari Paneer Tikka Wraps! Even if I wasn't an Indian, there's no way someone could have kept me away from this magical ingredient called Paneer (Cottage Cheese)!! It is healthy, rich in proteins, less on trans fat, and can impart tremendous richness and flavor to any dish that it goes into. One of the easiest wasy to relish paneer is by making Paneer Tikka, that is, marinating it with spices and eating it with veggies. So I just went one step ahead and combined the paneer tikka with some chilli-garlic pickle, added veggies and cheese and wrapped them into wheat parathas to make these extremely inviting Achari (Pickled) Paneer Tikka Wraps. I was first exposed to these wraps at an Indian restaurant called Amber Bytes (which I'm going to review very soon!), and I was totally taken over by the taste. Hope you like it as much as we did!!

Ingredients
2 cups paneer (cottage cheese) - cut into small cubes
1/2 green capsicum (bell pepper)- diced finely
1/2 red capsicum - diced finely
1 cup shredded cabbage or lettuce
1/2 cup shredded cheese
2 tbsp ghee
4-6 wheat parathas (homemade or store-bought), you can even use leftover parathas

For the Achari Marinade
1 cup hung curd - to remove water content
1 tbsp green chilli pickle
1 tsp chopped garlic
1 tsp fennel seeds (saunf)
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/4 tsp fenugreek (methi) seeds
1/4 tsp onion seeds (kalonji) (optional)
1 tsp cumin seeds
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp mustard oil
1/4 tsp sugar
salt to taste

Method
Heat the mustard oil in a small pan, then add the mustard, onion, fennel and fenugreek seeds. When they start spluttering, add the green chilli pickle. garlic, turmeric powder, salt and sugar and let it fry for 1-2 mins. Now take the hung curd in a bowl and whisk it to form a smooth paste. Add the tadka to the yogurt and blend well to form the marinade.

Take 2 tbsp ghee in another pan and roast the paneer cubes in the ghee for 2-3 mins until they turn light golden. Do not fry as that would make them hard. Remove from flame and let it cool a little. Now add the paneer to the marinade. Cover and keep aside for at least an hour.

Meanwhile, make wheat parathas or get them from the store. Heat them for a few seconds on a pan to make them soft. Now take one paratha, layer the Achari paneer marinade over it; sprinkle chopped bell peppers and shredded cabbage or lettuce, then drizzle with shredded cheese. Roll the parathas to form a wrap. Close them with a toothpick if desired so they don't open up.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees and bake the wraps for 5-7 mins, just so that the cheese melts and the wraps become hot. Serve immediately with a side of salad and ketchup or Date-Tamarind chutney (recipe here).

Tip: You can add other vegetables of your choice like onions, cucumber or tomatoes if you like. But don't add a lot of veggies; remember, the taste of Achari Paneer should be more pronounced than anything else!

These spicy Paneer Tikka Wraps are a great way to enjoy your paneer and your veggies, and with that hint of chili-garlic pickle, this recipe is a definite winner!

Related Recipes:
Paneer Butter Masala
Paneer & Ajwain Parathas
Tandoori Paneer Tikka with Mango Dressing

11:00 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Kesar Rasmalai - Diwali Special !!

Diwali is one of the most popular Indian festival and would always remain to be so. Each region in India has a special way of celebrating it; the day after Diwali also heralds the beginning of a New financial year for some of the Hindus. So here's a beautiful and rich-looking Indian bengali sweet recipe that I am sure many of you must have tasted in Indian restaurants - the Kesar Rasmalai!

Rasmalai is by far the most cherished indian sweet in the whole country, superceeded only by tough competitiors like "Gulab Jamun" and "Rasgulla". People also think that its hard to make rasmalai at home, which I don't think is true. Yes, the end result does depend on the "channa" (recipe below) that you use, so you should either make it at home, or buy from a good sweet-shop. So go ahead and try my Kesar Rasmalai and see how you can woo your friends and family with this winning recipe!

Ingredients
4 cups whole milk for channa
1 cup sugar
3 cups of water
6-7 strands of saffron mixed in 3 tbsp warm milk
Cardamom, pistachio, almonds - slivered
lemon juice
3 cups whole milk (for the ras)
4-5 tbsp sugar (for the ras)

Method
First keep the 3 cups of milk for ras to boil until it thickens. Take a small cup, fill it with 3 tbsp milk; warm it in the microwave for 10 seconds, then add 6-7 strands of saffron to it and rub them etween your fingers to extract orange-yellow color and saffron flavor. Then add this to the boiling milk. Also add the sugar for the ras to it and add cardamom, pista and almond to it.Once the milk is reduced to about half it's size, remove from flame and set aside to cool in another container filled with cold water or ice cubes.

Next, bring the 4 cups of milk to boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the flame, and add the lemon juice to it while stirring continuously to curdle the milk. Stir with a spoon, then slowly remove just the solid part, called the "chhanna" and tie it in a muslin or thin cloth. Keep it covered for at least a couple of hours. Hang the "potli" under the sink or put the cloth-covered chhana in a bigger bowl which will collect the water dripping from the mixture. The intention here is to separate just the solid curdled milk residue from the water or liquid part.

After 2 hours, remove the channa from the cloth. Take it in a bowl and mash well with your hands to form a smooth mixture. This will look like "Paneer" or cottage cheese, and you have to rub it between your palms a lot to make the mixture really smooth. Then make around 15 small-sized of balls or discs out of it. Again, make sure you keep the edges as smooth as possible. Now take a pressure cooker and add 3 cups of water and 1 cup of sugar. Mix well to form the sugar syrup. Add the balls in the pressure cooker and let it cook for two whistles.

Once the cooker has cooled down, remove the cooked balls. Press them gently between your palms to remove excess water, then arrange them in a serving dish. Pour half of the ras/milk mixture over them and let them soak into it for at least an hour. Refrigerate the remaining milk.

When ready to serve, pour the cold milk over the balls. Garnish with more chopped or slivered pistachios and almonds and dazzle your family and friends with this invigorating and delicious dessert! I am sure that Kesar Rasmalai will surely delight your guests! Happy Diwali to one and all!!

More Indian Sweet Recipes:
Dry-Fruit Basundi
Malpua with Rabdi

10:15 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Spinach and Paneer Cutlets - Bring a Zing to your table!

Cutlets, also known as "Croquettes" or "Aloo Tikkis" are a top choice for delicious snacks, coctail parties or finger-food appetizers. They are easy to make, and if you add some paneer to these to make Paneer Cutlets, you can expect some serious compliments for your cooking! Potatoes, by default are a preferred ingredient in most vegetable cutlets, but this time I chose to add something else that could give my cutlets a unique taste and texture. So I chose the next best thing in the Indian cooking glossary - Paneer, and added a bunch of peas, spinach and spices to make these delicious Vegetable Cutlets. You can serve them with any dipping sauce or enjoy these by themselves at tea-time!

Ingredients
1 cup paneer (cottage cheese) - shredded
2 cups spinach - blanched and chopped
1 big potato - boiled and mashed
1/2 cup peas - boiled and mashed
1/2 cup coriander - chopped
3 cloves of garlic - minced
1/2 cup onions - chopped finely
1/2 cup corn flour or maida
3 slices of bread - crumbled
2 tbsp garam masala
2 tsp turmeric powder
salt, lemon juice, sugar - to taste
2 tbsp green chilli-ginger paste
1 cup rava (semolina) - to roll the cutlets in before frying
Oil for frying

Method
Boil and mash the potatoes and mix the paneer, spinach, peas and all the dry masala together. Then add the crumbled bread slices, followed by corn flour, garlic, green chilli paste and mix everything together with your hand. Do not add any water; also remove the water from the blanched spinach. The dough should be hard and non-sticky so that it can be easily rolled into desired shape.

Frying - Now grease your palms with some oil, take small portion of the dough and roll into egg-shaped cutlets, or any shape you like. Heat the oil on medium flame, and when it gets hot enough to start giving out vapors, roll the tikkis into the semolina and gently dip them into the oil. Shallow fry 4-5 at a time by turning on both sides to get a golden color.

Baking - Alternately, you can also preheat oven to 350 degrees, then bake the cutlets by placing them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 mins, then flip the cutlets on the other side and bake for another 10-15 mins. Make sure to check they are cooked from inside; once done you can set the oven to broil for 5 mins to get the nice goledn hue on the top of the croquettes.

You can store these overnight or for a few hours. Do not leave the dough for a long time after making it as it the boiled veggies would give out water which could break the cutlets while frying. Do reheat them in the oven before serving. Serve piping hot with Chutneys or your favourite dipping sauces!

Related Recipes:
Vegetable Potato Cutlets
Achari Paneer-Tikka Wraps

11:57 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Malai Kofta Curry

One of our favourite curries in all Indian restaurants is the Malai Kofta. In fact, my husband uses this dish as his criterion for judging restaurants:) The place that can dish out a rich, delicious and freshly-spiced Kofta Curry goes on his wishlist. Though I've made similar curries before, I had never really ventured into making the authentic malai kofta, but when we planned a pre-Diwali dinner with family and friends, I knew it's now or never!! So I made the Malai Kofta Curry and am proud to say that it was a hit with everyone and was also complimented as being "restaurant-style"!! This dish does involve some planning and preparation time, but at the end, it is truly worth it.

Ingredients

For Koftas
2 cups Paneer - grated
3 Potatoes - boiled and mashed
1 cup Green Peas
1 small Carrot boiled and grated
1 tsp Garam Masala
1 1/2 tsp Kitchen King Masala
3-4 tbsp Maida
2 tbsp Cashews slit in halves
3 tbsp Raisins
Oil for deep frying
Salt to taste
1 tbsp lemon juice

For Gravy
2 medium Onions - finely chopped
1 can of Tomato Puree
12-15 Cashews
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tsp Garam Masala
2 tsp Kitchen King Masala
2 tsp Jeera
1 tbsp Cumin-Coriander Powder
2 tbsp Red Chilli Powder
2 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 cup Fresh or Whipping Cream
1 inch Cinnamon Stick
2 Green Cardamon
2 Cloves
1 Bay Leaf
1 big tbsp Tandoori Masala
1 tbsp Oil/Ghee
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves, finely chopped
Salt to taste

Method

For Koftas
Mix the boiled and grated carrot, green peas, boiled and mashed potatoes and the grated paneer in a big bowl. Add the garam masala, kitchen king masala, salt, lemon juice, turmeric powder and maida and mix them well using your hands. Do not add water. In fact, remove any water from boiled vegetables to make a thick mixture that can be rolled into tight balls.

Make small egg-shaped balls and deep fry them in batches in hot oil at slow to medium flame till they turn golden brown and crisp from outside. Transfer the fried koftas on paper towel to remove excess oil. If you see that your koftas break while frying, try rolling them in more maida or bread crumbs before frying.

For Gravy
Blend the tomato puree with cashews, kitchen king masala, cunim-coriander powder, garam masala, chilli powder and turmeric powder to smooth paste; add 3 tbsp water to form a liquid paste.

Heat oil in a pan and add jeera, cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom and bay leaf and saute it for a few mins, then add the chopped onions to it till they are pinkish golden in color. Add the ginger-garlic paste, and then the tomato-cashew puree. Add 1 1/2 cups water and mix well to form the gravy. When it starts simmering, add the dry spices, salt and whipping cream and cook for further 10-15 minutes over a low flame. If you think it is thick and need to make it liquid, add some whole milk. Finally add the tandoori masala to get the nice yellow color. Remove from heat, mix in finely chopped coriander and keep it aside.

When it's time to serve, arrange the koftas in a serving dish, pour the gravy over them and garnish with fresh cream and chopped coriander. Serve hot with Parathas or Jeera Rice! Hope this delicious Malai Kofta curry finds a place on your dinner table and helps liven your meal, just as it did ours!

Similar Recipes:
Doodhi/Lauki Kofta Curry
Hariyali Paneer Koftas

5:59 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Paneer and Ajwain Paratha

Everyone has enjoyed paneer in gravies, but it tastes equally great stuffed in a paratha. Paneer Paratha is a savoured flat bread amongst Indians. It is also a healthy breakfast item with tea and it sure is a favourite with kids! Enjoy this simple Paneer Paratha recipe. The latter helps in digestion and also gives a beautiful aroma and flavour to the paratha.

Ingredients
3 cups wheat flour
1 cup paneer - crumbled or shredded
2 tbsp ajwain seeds(carrom seed or Bishop's weed) - roasted and crushed (optional)
1 tbsp jeera
3 green chillies
2 tsp ginger-garlic paste (optional)
salt, sugar and lemon juice- to taste
2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 cup coriander - chopped
2 tbsp oil
water - to knead dough

Method
Knead the dough with water and 2 tbsp oil as you would for any parathas.(Check out the "how to make a paratha" video for a visual instruction). Cover and keep it aside for 15 mins.

Now mix all the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl. Crumble the paneer and mix all the spices and ajwain with the paneer. Mash with your hands so the paneer mixture becomes soft and maleable. Now divide it into equal portions to use as filling for the parathas.

Take a small part of the dough. Roll it out into a small circle, then put the filling mixture in the center. Roll over the dough over the filling and make into a ball. Then flatten it between your palms, roll in plain flour and once again roll this into a thick paratha.

Put a griddle over medium heat and cook the parathas on both sides over the griddle. Apply oil or butter on each side. Serve hot with a dollop of butter and any curry (check recipes here)

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Vegetable Cheese Paratha
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11:32 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Spicy Chilli Paneer

"Variety is the spice of life"- this shows how important spice is in anyone's life, so today we salute the ingredient which brings spice into our lives, literally. "Chillies" are available in various forms, shapes, sizes and colours, but the end result is always the same, something tasty and spicy. Today I share with you my recipe of Chilli Paneer. Its a favourite amongst elders and youngsters alike. With the succulent paneer (cottage cheese) coated and flavoured in soy sauce and green chillies, this dish is perfect to enjoy with rice or bread/parathas. And simple to cook, it takes not more than 15-20 mins!

Ingredients
1/2 slab of paneer - cut in small rectangular cubes
7-8 green chillies - slit half cross-sectional and cut in length
1/2 onion - diced into long thin strips
1/2 capsicum (bell peppers)- diced into thing strips
4-5 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsp ginger - shredded
2 tsp garlic paste
1 tsp sugar
salt/black pepper - to taste
1 tsp ajinomoto (optional)

Method
Take a pan and heat the oil in it. Add the green chillies, and onions. Saute till they become golden brown.Then add the ginger, garlic paste, and capsicum and cook till all veggies are tender. Add soy sauce, salt, pepper and ajinomoto. Finally mix in the paneer cubes and cook everything together on medium flame for 8-10 mins. Do not add water!!

Remove from flame, garnish with more slit green chillies and chopped green onion leaves. Serve your Spicy and Tasty Chilli Paneer piping hot with plain or fried rice!!

6:45 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Akbari Paneer

Paneer, or Cottage Cheese, can be enjoyed in various forms, and I can totally relish eating just raw fresh paneer, but the avenues that it provides to cooking are just amazing! Add these cubes to any veggie curry and it transforms into something rich and delicious. So here's another rich and creamy variation that involved shredded paneer, and its my husband's absolute favourite. It's called Akbari Paneer. I first tasted it in a desi restaurant in california, and have been a fan ever since. It has now become a regular paneer delight in our house as it's simple to make and tastes great with any naan, bread or jeera rice!

Ingredients

Paneer - half a slab, shredded
Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
Capsicum half green and half red - finely chopped
Cashews - half cup
Milk - half cup
Tomato Puree - half cup
Fresh cream (Malai) or Whipping Cream - 3 large tbsp
Tandoori Chicken Masala-2 tsp
Dry coriander flakes- 2 tsp
Spices - cumin seeds, ginger-garlic paste- 1 tbsp, bay leaves - 2, ground cinnamon-half tsp, turmeric and red chilli powder-to taste, salt and lemon juice-to taste, sugar-1 tsp

Method
Shred the paneer and keep it in the fridge.

Heat oil in a saucepan, add the cumin seeds, cinnamon and bay leaves, dry coriander flakes, onions and capsicum and saute for some time till cooked. Then add the ginger-garlic paste, tomato puree, and saute again.

Take the cashews in a grinder, add some milk to it and grind it into a smooth paste. Leave some cashew pieces behind for garnishing.

Now add the cashew paste to the pan and fry everything together for 7-8 mins. Add a little water, then add the remaining spices and let it cook covered till all flavours get mixed well. Finally add some fresh cream or whipping cream and mix well to achieve desired consistency, which is thick and creamy.

When ready to serve, add the grated paneer to the gravy, mix well, and garnish with fresh coriander, slivered cashews and some more cream! Serve hot with Rice or Bread!

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Malai Kofta Curry
Methi Malai Mutter

11:28 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Shahi Paneer

"Paneer", or cottage-cheese, is as well-known amongst Americans as Indians. And I personally have friends who love it so much, they make me take them to Indian restaurants for lunches whenever possible. So here's a simple paneer recipe called "Shahi Paneer" that you can easily make at home! It is also by names like "Paneer makhani" or "Paneer makhanvala". So no matter what name you are looking for, the technique remains the same:)

Ingredients
Fresh Paneer - (slab can be found at indian grocery stores)
1 Onion
1 cup Tomato puree
Spices -Ginger-garlic paste, salt, red chilli powder and lemon juice to taste, 2-3 bay leaves, half stick of cinnamon, turmeric-1 tsp, cumin seeds, garam masala powder-1 tsp
Chopped coriander and some shredded paneer for garnishing
1/2 cup Whipping cream
2 tbsp Oil for saute

Method
Chop the onions and grind them on Pulse so that its minced, but not blended.

Now take a huge pan, add some oil to it and then the bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, cumin seeds and the onion. When its golden and cooked entirely, add the tomato puree and saute for some time. Then add all the spices- chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, salt and mix well. Add some water to create enough gravy then cook covered for 5-10 mins on medium flame.

Then add the whipping cream and stir continuously and cook for another 10 mins. When the gravy looks thick and creamy, add the lemon juice to taste and let it cook.

Slice the paneer into small cubes. You can keeep the paneer referigerated for 3-4 days, but remove it and keep outside at least for 15 mins before you want to serve the curry. Now add the paneer cubes to the gravy, cook another 5 mins and take it off the flame.

Garnish with coriander and shredded paneer when ready to serve. Enjoy your Shahi Paneer with Naan or Vegetable Fried Rice!

Tip: If the paneer is hard, cut into cubes and dip in salt water for 5 mins. This will make it soft!

9:45 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Veg Grilled Pesto Burgers

Hey folks, me and my husband both love italian food. It's a great cuisine with simple spices, delicate flavours, and an amazing use of herbs. So, inspired by our indian tradition and lovely italian spices, we tried to create something new at this awesome barbecue event we had at a friend's place. None of us are pros, and most of us were new to this unique experience of cooking and eating grilled food... we were all so excited, and let me tell you, the end product was also no less!! The indian-italian fusion was an instant hit with elders and kids alike....lo and behold, as I share my grilled veg burger recipe with you which is sure to scintillate your taste buds.

Ingredients:
4 Round burger Buns
1/2 slab of Paneer (cottage cheese)
2 large potatoes - boiled and mashed
1 carrot - boiled and mashed
1/2 cup peas - boiled and mashed
3 large tbsp bread crumbs
salt-pepper, red chilly powder, lemon juice - to taste
1 cup Pesto sauce, (recipe below)
1/2 cup Tangy Tomato sauce (recipe below)
4 cheese slices
Lettuce, tomato, avocado(optional), parmesan cheese for the burgers

Pesto Sauce: Take 2 cups of fresh basil leaves. Add them to a mixer, add some salt, black pepper powder, fresh garlic cloves(3-4 buds) and a tiny splash of lemon juice(optional). Also add 1 cup fresh parmesan cheese. Now keep adding a tbsp of pure olive oil slowly while blending the mixture. When its half crushed, add some pine nuts to it, and blend again to form a thick yet spreadable pesto paste. keep adding EVOO as required.

Tangy Tomato Sauce: Take 2 huge tbsp tomato puree, add a small tsp vinaigrette dressing to it, a pinch of salt, 1 tsp sugar, black pepper powder, and parmesan cheese.

Patties: Boil all the veggies, mash them and mix them with the grated paneer. Add salt, black pepper, red chilly powder and lemon juice to this mixture according to your taste. Now add some breadcrumbs or all-purpose flour to bind the mixture. Form well-shaped patties with it.

Start your grill and let the coals burn thoroughly. Now take the patties and grill them on both sides till smoky flavour emanates. Spread the pesto and tomato sauce on 2 sides of a bun, put the cheese slice on it and grill the bun till cheese melts. Add the patty on top of it, with lettuce, tomato and avocado and savour the succulent indo-italian grilled burgers!! Who says veggie bbq can't be fun!!!

12:13 PM | 0 comments | Read More

Hariyali Koftas - Paneer Koftas in Spinach Gravy

As we kick into the summer, its nice to use more green leafy vegetables as part of your diet. I tried eating salads for a few days, but then my heart craved for something nutritious yet appealing to my palette, and that's when I started preparing a concoction called the Hariyali Koftas. They are not only tasty, they have a high fibre content, high protein, vitamin A and calcium, and the dish blends perfectly well with bread or rice. Hariyali koftas are basically vegetable and paneer koftas cooked in thick and creamy spinach gravy. It's easy to make, and sometimes provides a welcome change from the traditional Malai Kofta Curry.

Ingredients:
Spinach (2-3 cups for the gravy)
1 tsp cumin seeds
3 tbsp oil
2 tsp each turmeric, red pepper, garam masala, ginger-garlic paste
1/2 onions(finely chopped)
1/2 cup tomato puree
4-6 tbsp heavy whipping cream
salt and lemon juice - to taste
chopped coriander - for garnish

For the koftas
4-5 potatoes - boiled and mashed
5 tbsp grated paneer(cottage cheese)
2 tbsp grated cheese
salt, garam masala powder, lemon juice - to taste
half-cup assorted dry fruits-cashews,almonds and raisins, chopped finely
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Method:
Mash the potatoes for the koftas and add all the spices and lemon juice in it. Mix the grated paneer and cheese together. Now make a small ball with some of the potato mixture. Flatten it a bit to make a small hole in the centre and fill it with the paneer/cheese mix, and put some dry fruit mix in it too. Then roll the ball again so as to make a smooth even oblong-shaped kofta ball. Make as many koftas as you need and store them in the referigerator for some time. Now fill the saucepan with some oil and fry the koftas 2 at a time, after rolling them in the all-purpose flour so that they stay firm and do not disintegrate in the oil.

For the gravy, take some oil, add cumin seeds, ginger-garlic paste and onions and saute for a minute. Then add the dry spices-garam masala, red chilli powder, and turmeric and let them mix with the onions. Now add the tomato puree, salt and let it cook for some time. Boil the spinach and blend it, then add it to the pan. Lower the heat and let it cook with the spices for 5-7 mins. Slowly add the whipped cream and keep stirring continuously till the mixture becomes thick and creamy. Now cook this covered for another 5-10 mins.

When you are ready to serve, arrange the koftas in a serving dish, then pour the gravy on the top, and garnish with shredded cheese or paneer and chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot with chapati, bread or jeera rice!!!

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10:09 AM | 0 comments | Read More