Tuesday, May 29, 2012

PANEER CASHEW CURRY


Paneer is one of my favorite ingredients to cook with.Every time i make some paneer at home i want to cook something different.This time as the title says i combined paneer and cashews.Here the Paneer/cottage cheese is cooked in a combined onion ,tomato and cashew gravy.This is one of the tastiest dish i have cooked.Simply melts in your mouth.The green bell pepper compliments the paneer well.


INGREDIENTS

Paneer cubes - 20 nos
Onions - 2 medium size , diced
Tomatoes - 2 medium size, diced
Green bell pepper - 1 medium size, diced
Frozen green peas - 1/4 cup
Ginger- Garlic - 1 tbsp, finely chopped
Green chillies - 3 nos ,slit
Curry leaves - 1 whole sprig
Broken Cashews - 3 tbsp, divided 2 + 1
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Turmeric pdr - 1/2 tsp
Chilli pdr - 1/2 tsp
Coriander pdr - 1 tsp + 1/2 tsp
Sugar -1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil,Butter
Water as reqd

METHOD

First we need to brown the paneer cubes.For that spread some butter on the bottom of a pan.Put the paneer cubes  on it and brown 2 sides of the cottage cheese/paneer.Remove and keep it aside.

Next step is to prepare the gravy.For that heat some oil in a pan.Add finely chopped ginger garlic, green chillies and curry leaves.Saute for a few secs.Add chopped onions and some salt.Let it caramelize.Then add turmeric pdr,chilli pdr and coriander pdr.Saute for a minute.Now add the diced tomatoes.Let it cook for some time.Check salt.Transfer the contents into a food processor ,add 2 tbsp of cashews and enough water to help grind it smoothly.Keep aside.

In the same pan heat a tsp of butter and oil.Add cumin seeds and 1/2 tsp of oriander pdr .Then add the diced green bell pepper and the remaining broken cashews.Add salt.Saute until the pepper is slightly soft.Add the frozen peas.Saute until the peas get warmed up.Add the onion tomato gravy.Pour enough water to make the consistency thin.Stir in the Paneer cubes.Cover and let it simmer for 5-8 mins.Serve warm with rotis,rice,bread.

ENJOY!!!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

PATHRODO UKKARI / STIR FRY



Pathrodo is soooo delicious when it's just out hot of the steaming pot. My mouth's watering just thinking about it. Last summer I planted some taro roots to get some leaves and make pathrodo at least ones. I got more than I expected, made it several times :). I have already planted some this yr. Cant wait for it to grow. I came upon some of these expensive colocasia leaves in our local Indian store. Got 3 pkts( 4 in each). Not much to cook with but something is better than nothing isnt it especially when it's hard to get these here. It was just enough to make 3 mini loaves. We had 2 loaves immediately , kept the last one to make some of this hot stir fry. It's simply amazing what a simple leaf can do.A must try.Goes well with coffee or rice and dal.


INGREDIENTS

Leftover Pathrodo - cut to small pieces
shallots - 7-8 nos , thinly sliced
oil- 1 tbsp
mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Urad dal - 1 tsp
Fenugreek seeds - 1/2 tsp
asafoetida - a pinch
Curry leaves - 1 full sprig, torn to small pieces
Red chilli pdr - 1 tsp


METHOD

Heat some oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds. One's it starts to pop add cumin seeds, urad dal, fenugreek seeds,and curry leaves. Stir for a minute until the dal is lightly brown. Then add a pinch of asafoetida and chilli pdr.Add the shallots and some salt. Stir until its lightly brown.Now add the pathrodo pieces ,stir until its completely covered with all the seasoning. Lower the flame a bit and stir fry until light brown. Serve warm with a hot cup of coffee or tea.


ENJOY!!!!