Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer or Spinach with Homemade Cheese is easily one of the most recognizable and popular Indian dishes.

Ingredients:::

Ingredients

• Spinach chopped - 1/2 kg     
• Paneer-  200 gm
• Oil – 3 tbsp
• Onions – 2 pc, minced
• Ginger – 1″ pc, minced
• Garlic – 4 cloves, minced
• Water – 1/2 cup
• Tomatoes – 2 large or 1 (pureed)
• Garam Masala - 2 tsp
• Cumin Powder – 1 tsp
• Coriander Powder – 2 tsp
• Red Chili Powder – to taste
• Salt - to taste
• Turmeric Powder – 1/4 tsp
• Heavy Whipping Cream – 8 tbsp or to taste
• Milk – to taste (optional)

Method:::

1. Cook Spinach with 1/2 cup Water in a microwave safe dish for 7-8 minutes stirring in between.
2. Blend cooked Spinach to desired texture.
3. Heat 2 tbsp Oil in a medium non-stick pan on high heat.
4. Once Oil is hot, add in the minced Onions, stir, cover and let it cook for about 5 minutes.
5. Add in the Ginger and Garlic and mix. Cook for another 4-5 minutes.
6. Add in the Tomates, cover and cook till the oil seperates from the mixture.
7. Keep stirring frequently as the Masala (Onion, Tomato, Ginger & Garlic mixture) tends to burn very fast.
8. While the Masala is cooking, cube the paneer to desired size…1/2″ cubes work well.
9. In a non-stick frying pan, heat the remaining 1 tbsp Oil.
10. Once Oil is hot, add in the paneer cubes and let them cook till they are golden brown on all sides.
11. Remove from the pan into a plate with paper towel to soak the excess oil.
12. In a couple of minutes, pour the Paneer into a bowl of cold water. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
13. Meanwhile, once the Masala is prepared, add in the mashed Spinach.
14. Mix and add the Garam Masala, Cumin Powder, Coriander Powder, Salt, Chili Powder & Turmeric Powder.
15. Mix well and cook for 3-5 minutes.
16. Add in the desired amount of Cream and /or Milk. Mix and cook for another few minutes.
17. Gently squeeze the water out of the Paneer and put the Paneer in the Spinach.
18. Mix gently and serve hot.
19. Enjoy with Naan, Chapati, Paratha or Rice.!

Paneer Hyderabadi

Paneer Hyderabadi

Paneer Hyderabadi is a rich and nawabi preparation of cottage cheese in the spices and cream. It is a typical style hyderabadi recipe flavored with hyderabadi masala and fresh cream. 

Ingredients:::

• Paneer cubes - 200 gm
• Chopped onion- 1 big
• Curry leaves - 5/6
• Red chilli powder -1/2 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Coriander powder - 2 tsp
• Fresh lemon juice - 1/2 tsp
• Fresh sterilized milk -1/2 cup
• Ghee - 1 tsp
• Salt -to taste
• Oil - for deep frying

For Hyderabadi Masala:

• Jeera - 1/2 tsp
• Peanuts - 2 tbsp
• Sesame seeds - 1/4 tsp
• Poppy seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Cashew nuts - 5-6
• Cloves -2pc
• Ginger - 1 inch
• Garlic - 6 cloves
• Dried red chillies - 2pc

Method:::

1. Heat a pan and add sufficient oil.
2. When the oil heats then add few cubes of paneer at a time, deep fry and take out on paper napkin.
3. In a sauce pan add little bit of ghee.
4. Add all the ingredients for making hyderabadi masala. Leave to cool and then grind to make a smooth masala.
5. Now heat the pan and add remaining ghee.
6. Add curry leaves and slices of onion.
7. Add little bit of salt and fry until onion turn light golden.
8. Add grounded masala and all the remaining spices.
9. Also add milk at this time.
10. Stir and leave to boil for about 5 minutes on low heat.
11. Now add fried paneer and lemon juice, mix well.
12. Add fresh cream and cook for 2 more minutes.
13. Serve hot with roti or naan.

Stuffed Tomato

Stuffed Tomato

Tomatoes filled with flavorful mixed vegetables simmered with spicy sauce makes a gourmet, delectable and mouthwatering dish.

Ingredients:::

Ingredients

• Tomatoes - 4 pc
• Boiled potatoes - 1/2 cup
• Paneer (cottage cheese) - 1/2 cup
• Tomato Sauce - 1 tsp
• Chilli Sauce - 1 tsp
• Oil -1 tbsp
• Finely chopped green chilies - 1 tbsp
• Finely chopped coriander leaves - 1tsp
• Dry mango powder - 1/2 tsp
• Black pepper powder - 1/2tsp
• Rock salt - 1tsp

Method:::

1. Score off the top of the tomatoes and scrape out the insides  to get an empty cavity.
2. Now shred the cottage cheese and the boiled potatoes and mix in all the other ingredients with it.
3. Heat the oil in a pan and add the mixture after the oil is moderately hot. 
4. Brown the mixture for 5 minutes stirring constantly. 
5. Then add the sauces to the mixture & off the flame.
6. When the mixture comes down to room temperature, stuff it in the tomatoes.
7. Garnish with coriander leaves & served. 

Tips:::

1. If you have an oven, just grill it in a preheated oven at around 200 degree centigrade for 10mins. 
2. Alternatively it can be shallow fried too until the tomatoes are cooked.