Paneer in Rich Cashew & Almond Sauce

A north Indian preparation of paneer, that is cooked in a rich sauce made with cashew and almonds and called shahi paneer or Butter paneer . This dish will compliment well with naan, roti or basmati rice.

Ingredients

14 oz / 400 gram Packet - Paneer, cut into cubes
1 small - Onion, cut thin, lengthwise
4 medium - Tomatoes, chopped
2 to 3 - Green chili, chopped
6 big flakes - Garlic, chopped
1 '' pieces - Ginger, chopped
1/2 cup - Cashew & almonds ( mix of both making 1/2 cup)
1 tbsp - Whipping cream

Seasoning

1 tsp - Cumin/jeera seeds
2 to 3 tsp - Coriander powder
1/2 to 1 tsp - Red chili powder
1/2 tsp - Turmeric powder
2 tsp - Garam masala powder
1 to 2 tsp - Shan Vegetable curry mix Or MDH kitchen king

Garnishing

1/2 cup - Coriander leaves

Method

1 ) In a pan, add enough oil to fry paneer. Set aside 2 cubes to use later. Place rest of paneer cubes in hot oil and fry on all sides lightly to golden color. Drain and set aside.Grate the 2 paneer cubes.

2 ) To the same oil add onion and fry till onion is lightly browned. Then add green chili, ginger, garlic, cashew and almonds. Continue frying for 2 minutes. Then add tomato, sprinkle little salt and cook till tomato is well cooked. Take off the stove and cool. Transfer into a blender and grind to a smooth paste along with whipping cream. Add little water if needed to grind.

3 ) Transfer the paste to a pan, add enough water to make a semi- thick gravy. Bring to a boil, add fried paneer pieces, grated paneer, salt to taste and simmer.

4 ) Meanwhile in another pan, heat some oil, add jeera, fry for few seconds, then add coriander, red chili, turmeric, garam masala powder, shan vegetable curry mix or MDH kitchen king and fry in the oil for few seconds. Add coriander leaves and fry lightly. Pour this seasoning into the pan with paneer, stir and mix well. Close with a lid, simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Turn off the stove and serve.


Serve with roti or naan.

Bhel Puri & Inspiration Award

Bhel puri is a mixture of different savory ingredients, put together and then tart tamarind date chutney, green cilantro-mint chutney is drizzled on this mixture and served fresh. I have used ready to use haldiram's bhelpuri pack to make this snack, rather than buying all the ingredients separately. In addition to the ingredients in the packet, other fresh ingredients are put in.

Ingredients

One 200 gram packet - Haldiram's bhel puri
1/2 cup - Beaten rice
1/2 cup - Besan boondi / Masala boondi
1/2 cup - Aloo bhujia
1/2 cup - Red onion, chopped small
1 medium size - Tomato, chopped small
1/2 of a - Cucumber, chopped small
1 big - Potato, boiled and cubed
1/2 cup - Coriander leaves, chopped
1 to 2 tsp - Chaat masala powder
1/4 tsp - Garam masala powder
1 tsp - Lemon juice Salt to taste

Chutney's

Tamarind date chutney
Green chutney

Method

1 ) Lightly roast beaten rice in a pan and let it cool. Into a big mixing bowl, add haldiram's bhel puri. The packet has a masala packet, out of which you can make chutney. And also a sev packet. Empty the sev into the bowl. Then add roasted beaten rice, boondi, aloo bhujia, onion, tomato, boiled potato, cucumber, coriander leaves and lemon juice.

2 ) Sprinkle chaat masala powder, garam masala, salt to taste, toss and mix all the ingredients together. Now when ready to serve, add tamarind chutney, green chutney, the chutney that came in the packet, as to one's taste.

Serve and have it fresh.

I have received an 'Inspiration award ' from Jamie. Inspiration Award has been coined in by Jamie of ' Flavor Pantry', who has been inspired by other blogger's for their recipes, pictures and wonderful posts. Thank you so much Jamie :D

About this award...

" This is given to bloggers whose stories and recipes inspire us.Whether it’s to eat healthier, dive back into our past to conjure up something we ate as children, or just make the light bulbs in our brains go on with a new idea for a recipe."

As recipients of this award, please share with us what inspires you and then pass on the Inspiration Award to 4 other deserving bloggers. Please let them know what the award means and what to do with it.

I am inspired by...

1 ) By good chefs, who have magic in their hands and create so beautiful and delicious food.

2 ) Inspired by my mother's cooking, which now i realize is the best, served with love :D

3 ) As a teenager i would try my hand at cooking, which was appreciated by my family, which really inspired me to try more.

I would like to pass this award on to -

Kalai of - Samaithu paarkalaam

Madhavi of - Recipes From My Favorite Place - Kitchen

Sagari of - Indian Cooking

Cham of - Spice - Club

Please accept this award and congrats to you ladies :)

Mixed Vegetable Pulao

Basmati rice cooked with mixed vegetables and spices to make an aromatic pulao.

Ingredients

1 cup - Basmati rice, wash and drain
3/4 cup - Fresh peas
1/4 cup - Carrots, chopped to small pieces
1/4 cup - Beans, chopped to small pieces
2 small sticks - Cinnamon
4 - Cloves
2 - Black cardamom
2 - Bay leaves
1 tsp - Ginger paste
1 tsp - Garlic paste
1 medium - Onion, sliced
1 tsp - Cumin seeds
2 cups - Water
Salt to taste

Method

1 ) Heat ghee or oil in a deep pan. Add cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, bay leaves, cumin seeds and fry for few seconds. Add garlic - ginger paste, then add onion and fry till onion is lightly browned.

2 ) Add mixed vegetables and fry for 2-3 minutes. Add rice and fry for a minute. Meanwhile, bring water to a boil. Pour this water slowly into the rice pan. Lower the heat to low when pouring the water. Stir in, add salt to taste. Close with a heavy lid and bring to a boil on medium heat. Once it come to a boil, lower the heat and cook till all the water is used up. Switch off the stove and let the rice cook further in it's steam. When pan has cooled down , open the lid and stir in.

Serve into a serving platter and decorate with coriander leaves.

Strawberry Smoothie

Stores were stocked with fresh red Strawberries and i was so drawn to them. Got home to make a smoothie out of it.

Ingredients

2 cups - Strawberry, washed & chopped
1 cup - Chilled milk
1/2 cup - Medium sour yogurt
1/2 cup or more as to taste - Sugar
Few ice cubes

Method

1 ) To a blender add strawberry and grind to a smooth paste. Add sugar, ice and run to crush the ice. Then add milk and yogurt , blend to make a smooth, smoothie.

Enjoy the smoothie.

I have received a few more awards .













Good Chat blog award from Purnima. Thank you Purnima for this award and for the beautiful chats we have had.

Madhavi has presented me with a "Nice matters award" and Kalai has presented me with " rockin girl blogger" award. Thanks to both of you. I am thrilled to yet again receive these two awards.