Exotic Mixed Vegetable Curry

We often tend to have a lot of veggies in small quantities and wonder how to use them.Todays recipe is an assortment of veggies cooked in a exotic gravy flavored with some unique indian spices.This dish could surprise your unexpected guests to wonder if you had planned for their visit ;P. I always store paneer for such moments and adding it to this curry will make it really exotic. Enjoy the recipe.
Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped onions
• 3/4 cup chopped tomatoes
• 2 cups diced vegetables (carrot,potato,beans,peas,sweet corn kernels)
• 1/2 cup diced cottage cheese/paneer
• 2 tbsp oil

To Grind

• 1 tsp dhania/coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp jeera/cummin powder
• 8 cashew nuts
• 2 elaichis
• 3 cloves
• 5 black pepper
• 1/2 inch cinnamon stick
• 1 tsp khuskhus/poppy seeds
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• pinch of turmeric
• salt to taste

Procedure
Make a fine paste of all the ingredients to grind and keep aside. Make a fine paste of onions and tomatoes and keep aside.Sprinkle some water on the chopped veggies and microwave for 4 minutes.

Heat oil in a pan, add onion tomato paste and fry till oil begins to saturate, now add the paste prepared earlier for gravy and fry till the rawness is gone and oil begins to saturate again. Now add the cooked vegetables and stir for 2 minutes nicely.Add enough water and close with a lid and let it cook on sim for 10-15 minutes.Then add cottage cheese and stir nicely and cook for 2 more minutes until it completely blends. Your mixed vegetable curry is ready. Serve hot with rice or rotis.

Read more »

Schezwan Paneer Frankie

( Click image for enlarged view )

Sometimes on weekends we love to eat tibbs schezwan paneer frankie..a nice name for a wrap which can contain paneer,vegetables or chicken pieces with some sliced onions . However it is a little expensive and also use full maida which is unhealthy so I wanted to prepare a healthier option at home and surprise my hubby !! So here we gooooo

Basically the total process needs 3 steps

1. Preparing the stuffing
2. Making the wrap roti
3. Assembly

Ingredients

• 1 cup paneer cubes (cottage cheese)
• 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1/4 cup diced baby corn
• 2 tbsp chopped onion
• 1 tbsp chopped garlic
• 1/2 tbsp grated ginger
• 1 tsp green chilli
• 1 tbsp chopped celery
• 1 tbsp chopped red chilli
• 2 tbsp red pepper sauce
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup homemade vegetable stock
• 1 tbsp corn flour dissolved in 2 tbsp water
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 2 tsp sugar
• salt to taste

Step 1: Schezwan Sauce Preparation

Heat oil in pan/wok in a high flame, saute the garlic,green chilli,red chilli, green chilli, ginger, onions, celery for a minute

Add the vegetable stock and mix well. Add the corn flour mixture, vinegar,red pepper sauce, sugar, salt amd bring to a boil and keep aside

In another pan add 1 tbsp oil and saute the paneer cubes, bell pepper, baby corn for 3-4 minutes on high flame...add this to the above prepared sauce and keep aside.

Step 2 : Preparing the wrap roti

Ingredients

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup wheat flour
• 2 tbsp cold butter
• a pinch of salt

Mix both the flour with salt,then add the butter and crumble with ur hands and mix nicely my by adding little by little water and make a soft dough.Let it rest for ten minutes.

After ten min knead the dough into a smooth ball and then divide the dough into 10 parts.Make them into small balls, with a rolling pin roll it into a nice thin circle of 5 - 6 inch diameter and as thin as possible.

Heat the skillet/tawa and it should be hot. Put one roti and after 2 min flip it let it cook for 1 min. Both the sides should cook nicely. Repeat the procedure for the rest of wraps

Step 3 : Assembly of Frankie

Ingredients

• 10 wrap roti (prepared above)
• 1 cup sliced onion
• 1.5 cup above schezwan paneer

Take on wrap and spinkle some onion slices along the length

Take one table spoon of schezwan paneer on top of onion slices

Wrap the paneer in the roti as per the steps below as it will avoid spillage from the bottom

( Click image for enlarged view )

Wrap it and place it on the tawa until roti is warm, then roll a small paper tissue on the bottom and serve warm

Note:

1. You can add chicken pieces in place of paneer

2. For egg lovers you can put some beaten egg on the roti, toast it on tawa and then assemble it.

I am sending these yummy frankie to Hearth and Soul

Read more »

Sweet Corn Delights

(Click image for enlarged view)

Corn is everybodys favourite n mine too, I wanted to try something different instead of routine with corn, I found the corn fritter n a corn halwa recipe from Priya Mitharwals blog which was so tempting n could not resist myself.

Today I got a chance to try them n they came out so well n was very yummy. Thank you Priya for sharing these wonderfull dishes.

Corn Halwa

Ingredients

• 1.5 cup sweet corn (I used frozen)
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
• 2 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 tsp chopped pistachio for garnishing

Make a coarse paste of the corn with blender. Heat the ghee in a pan, add this corn paste n fry in a medium flame for ten min. Stir continously then add milk n water. Let the cook till all the liquid evaporates. Then add sugar n cardamom powder n stir it nicely for 5 min.

Garnish with pistachio n serve warm.

Corn Cottage Cheese Fritter

(Click image for enlarged view)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sweet corn ( I used frozen corn)
• 3/4 cup grated cottage cheese(paneer)
• 1/2 cup onion
• 1/2 cup chickpea flour(Basen)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 4 chopped green chillies
• 3 tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp chat masala
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• salt to taste
• oil for deep fry

Cooking Procedure

Cook the corn on microwave for 3 min ,then make it a coarse paste in a blender,add all the above ingredients to make a smoothe paste .Heat oil in a frying pan,take 1 tbsp batter make a fine ball out of it n press it lightly into a round shape then fry them till golden brown.

Serve hot with ketchup.

I am sending both these recipes to

BB7 - Iron Chef hosted by Nupur

_________________________________________________________________

Tags: Sweet Corn, Cottage Cheese, Easy Recipe, Tasty Recipe. Indian Sweet, Indian Snack

Read more »

Magic With Cottage Cheese ( Paneer )

( Click image for enlarged view )

Paneer is such a versatile ingredient there is no limitation to use it. I have a big crush on paneer and whenever I come across any new variety with paneer I bookmark it without second thought. Because of this habit when I saw this paneer stuffed okra on my darling friend Aipi's blog n paneer kachori on another wonderfull blogger friend Santosh I was determined to try them very soon. And I did it !!

I thank them both for sharing these wonderfull recipes. My crush with paneer will continue for ever : )

Paneer Kachori

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tbsp corn flour
• 1/2 cup grated paneer
• 1 tbsp finely chopped mint leaves
• 3 tbsp grated carrot
• 3 finely chopped chilli
• 1/2 tsp grated ginger
• salt to taste
• oil for deep fry

Mix all the above ingredient except oil nicely then add 1/4 cup or less water to make a elastic n silky smooth dough.Divide the dough into 10 balls and with a rolling pin shape them into circles of 3-4 inch diameter.

Heat oil in a fry pan, once hot drop one puri at a time and let if puff. Make sure both the sides are golden brown before you remove from oil.

Serve hot with a cup of tea.

Paneer Stuffed Okra

( Click image for enlarged view )

Ingredients:

• 15 to 20 medium size okra
• 1/2 cup diced onions
• 1/2 cup diced tomato
• pinch of hing
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp oil

For Stuffing

• 1/2 cup grated cottage cheese (paneer)
• 1 tsp coriander powder (dhania)
• 1/4 tsp red chilli powder
• 1 tsp amchur powder (dry mango powder)
• 1/4 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp chopped cilantro
• salt to taste

Cooking Procedure

Wash the okra n pat it dry then n trim the edges and slit on one side lengthwise n keep aside.

Mix all the ingredients of stuffing with 1/2 tsp oil n stuff 1 tsp per okra.

Arrange the stuffed okra on a microwave safe plate, drizzle some oil n cook in microwave for 4 min on high.

In the meantime heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan, add onions,turmeric powder n hing n stir for 2 min. Then add the cooked okra to the onion mixture, sprinkle some salt n let it cook for 2 min. Stir occasionally n then add diced tomato n remaining stuffing if available. Mix softly n let them cook for 2 more min. You stuffed okra is ready.

Serve with rice or roti or as a filling for tortilla wraps.

I am sending both these recipes to

BB7 - Iron Chef hosted by Nupur

__________________________________________________________

Tags: Paneer, Cottage cheese, Paneer Bharwan Bhindi, Paneer Kachori

Read more »

Creamy Cottage Cheese Curry with Cilantro Pilaf

( Click image for enlarged view)

Cilantro is one of my favourite herbs n I love to add it to almost most of my dishes as it gives a intense tasty flavor. Cilantro is also know as dhania(hindi) or coriander in India and an all time favourite in Indian households.

The creamy cottage cheese curry is prepared with a base of curd n milk for its creaminess and blended with a rich flavor of cilantro n cardamom. When I saw this cottage cheese recipe on Paris blog, I was immediately hooked to prepare it. And another aromatic dish cilantro pilaf recently shared by Sayantani, this rice is infused with the flavor of cilantro n indian spices with some veggies. I was really tempted to try both these cilantro based dishes.

Thanks to Sayantani n Pari for sharing these wonderful dishes which are very easy to prepare n a superb combination.

Paneer Dhania (Cottage Cheese with Cilantro)

Ingredients

• 1 cup diced paneer
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup curd
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 tbsp garlic ginger paste
• 3 chopped green chillies
• 2 tbsp (ghee) clarified butter
• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
• 1 tsp corn flour
• 1/4 tsp black pepper powder
• salt to taste

Cooking Procedure

Heat butter in a pan, add cardamom powder n stir for 30 sec, now add ginger

garlic

paste n fry till light golden brown, now add onions n green chillies n fry till onion is translucent.

Now add the cottage cheese n fry gently for a min.Then add salt,black pepper,cilantro leaves stir for 2 more min. Now mix the curd with corn flour (this will prevent the curd to break apart) n pour this mixture into the pan n mix nicely. Now add milk, let it boil for a few min on low flame. You paneer dhania is ready.

Garnish with cilantro n serve with rice or roti.

Cilantro Vegetable Pulao

( Click image for enlarged view)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice
• 2-3 cup diced vegetables ( carrot, potato, cauliflower, beans, green peas )
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1 cup chopped cilantro
• 3/4 diced tomato
• 1/2 inch ginger
• 3-4 garlic cloves
• 3-4 green chilli
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp ghee ( clarified butter )
• 1/2 inch cinnamon stick
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 cardamom
• salt to taste

Cooking Procedure

Soak rice with 1.5 cup water for 20 min then cook it in a pressure cooker with the addition of 1/2 tsp oil in the water. ( Tip: Adding oil helps to make the rice less sticky n separate). If it is a rice cooker use 2.5 cup water. And keep aside.

Make a nice paste of cilantro, tomatos, ginger, garlic n green chilli with min water n keep aside.

Heat oil n butter in a pan n add cinnamon stick,cardamom n black pepper n fry for a min. Add onions n fry till it become translucent. Add the above grinded paste to this n fry for another 2-3 min. Now add all the veggies to it n stir nicely to blend all the ingredients. Cover n cook in medium flame till the veggies become soft.

( Click image for enlarged view)

Now add the cooked rice to the veggies and stir nicely and let it be on flame for 2 more min. Serve hot with the curry or raitha.

I am posting this paneer dhani and pulao to

Vegetarian Foodie Friday event

Combo Meal Hosted by Chaitrali

Hearth 'n Soul

And the cilantro vegetable pilaf to Akila "Festive Rice"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tags : cilantro , dhani , paneer , cottage cheese , vegetable pilaf, paneer curry , vegetable pulao

Read more »

Spinach Cottage Cheese Stuffed Buns

(Click image for enlarged view)

These buns are inspired from Vaishalis blog which she got from Champa's blog. I bookmarked the recipe long back n today I tried it n they came out very well.I used a little different stuffing but the baking procedure is the same. We all enjoyed it these delicious buns with a cup of tea.

Ingredients:

For stuffing

• 1.5 cup chopped palak (spinach)
• 3/4 cup grated paneer (cottage cheese)
• 1/2 boiled mashed potato
• 1/4 chopped onions
• 1 tsp kasuri methi(dry fenugreek leaves)
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp chat masala
• 1 tbsp oil
• salt to taste

For Buns

• 1 n 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 n 3/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 2 tbsp warm water
• 2 tbsp oil

For greasing the buns

• 1/2 tsp milk
• 1 /2 tsp oil

Preparing the Stuffing

Heat oil in a pan add cumin seeds n when it splutter add chopped onions n when turns translucent add chopped spinach and cook for 2 min. Once it done add mashed potato mix it well n add all the powders along with salt n blend nicely n stir for 1 min.Add the dry fenugreek leaves n paneer n fry for one more min n your stuffing is ready. Let it cool to room temperature.

Making the Stuffed Buns

Step 1: Making the Dough

In a big bowl add yeast,sugar,salt n warm water let it sit for 10 min. It will become foamy. Then add oil n milk mix nicely. Then add flour slowly 1/2 cup at a time n stir with spatula. Then take it out of the bowl n on a lightly floured surface knead it for 5 min n then make it into a ball. Grease it with oil then put it in a bowl n cover with a damp cloth n let it sit for 1 hr.

After a hour or till the dough become double.Take it out n punch it in the center to take all the air out.Now divide the dough into six parts n shape it into six balls n let it sit for another 10 min.

Step 2 : Stuffing the Buns

Then take each ball n spread it on your left palm by pressing with ur right hand into a circle.Then put 1 tbsp of stuffing on it and enclose it by pulling the dough over it from all sides n shape it into a smooth ball. Put it in greased baking tray n let it sit for 45 min.Then grease each bun with milk n oil mixture n make it ready for baking.

(Click image for enlarged view)

Step 3: Baking

Preheat the oven at 350 F 15 min before baking n bake these buns for 15 min or till they golden brown.

Serving Procedure

Serve the buns once they cool or store them in a fridge reheat in microwave for 10 seconds n serve warm with a cup of tea.

I am sending these delicious buns to some wonderful events like Yeastspotting

Champa's Bake off event

Bookmarked Recipe Every Tuesday hosted by Priya

Two for Tuesday

Letz Relishh – Paneer hosted by Jaya

EFM - Bakes and Cakes Series hosted by Srilekha

Kids Menu Event hosted by Neha

_______________________________________________________________

Tags: Bread, Buns, Cottage Cheese, Spinach, Stuffed Buns, Palak, Paneer, Veggie Stuffed Buns

Read more »