Restaurant Style Shahi Bhindi (Okra)

Bhindi is a vegetable that is liked by many. It is also one expensive vegetable in North America. There are many ways to cook Bhindi including a popular yet simple one as described here.

However, the type of Bhindi found at restaurants taste and look different and seem to have a more elaborate list of ingredients as well as a different style of cooking. The attempt below is an endeavour to replicate that flavour and look. I would say I got pretty close in reaching my goal. The only difference was in the use of potatoes instead of bell peppers. An effort that yields nice results really makes me happy. This one is a typical North Indian cuisine.

This is a tribute to all those people who inspire me to cook.


Serves 6-8

Ingredients:
1. 2-3 cloves of garlic
2. 1 inch ginger
3. 1-2 green chili (optional)
4. Onions, 4 small, cut in cubes
5. Hing, 1/2 tsp
6. Mustard seeds, 1 heaping tsp
7. Cumin seeds, 1 tsp
8. Turmeric powder, 3-4 heaping tsp
9. Coriander powder, 4-5 tsp
10. Red chili powder, 2-3 tsp or to taste
11. Salt, to taste
12. Tomatoes, ripe, 2, cubed
13. Garam masala, 2 tsp
14. Amchoor (dried mango) powder, 2-3 tsp
15. Chopped coriander leaves, fresh, about a fistful.
16. Potatoes, 3, cubed
17. Oil, 5-6 tbsp
18. Tomato paste, 3 tsp
19. about 1 pound okra, washed, dried and then sliced, head and tails removed.

Directions:
1. Heat a wide mouthed, deep bottomed, non-stick wok.
2. Add generous amounts of oil
3. Add mustard seeds and hing and let the seeds crackle.
4.Now add cumin seeds and let it sizzle.
5. Shred or grate the ginger garlic and chili and add it to the oil.
6. Fry for a couple of minutes or until the ginger garlic look cooked (it will start to change colour and the raw smell will disappear)
6. Throw in the onions and caramelize.
7. Add in coriander powder, turmeric powder and saute for 5-10 mins. If you feel that the spices are starting to burn, add a couple of drops of water to prevent that.
8. Now add tomato paste and cook on high heat until it leaves the oil.
9. Add potatoes and cook until the brown.
10. Add the okra and cook without a lid until the okra starts to brown or wilt slightly.
11. Add in salt, amchoor powder, red chili powder and garam masala.
12. Mix with a gentle hand.
13. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves/fresh cilantro.

Serve warm as an accompaniment to Roti.

Makki Ki Roti (Corn Flat Bread)

Makki ki Roti is a classic North Indian staple. It is nothing but flat bread made from corn flour (Makki ka aata). It is commonly teamed up with Greens such as Spinach Curry or Mustard leaves curry (Sarso Ka Saag). Makki ki roti and Sarso ka Saag is considered a delicious duo. It is a savory and super healthy combination and a wholesome meal. Loaded with nutritional value, this recipe is a keeper! It will bring warmth to the body and satiate starvation - Perfect for those cold winter-nights.

Ingredients:
1. Makki ka Aata (Corn flour), 4 cup
2. Hot water, boiling, 2 cup appx
3. Salt, to taste
4. Minced red onion,1
5. Oil

Directions:
1. Make a dough of cornflour using ingredients 1-4.
2. Then mix in the onions in the dough.
3. Pinch out small balls from the dough.
4. Put the ball between your palms and make a smooth ball.
5. Flatten with a rolling pin.
6. Cook on a non stick pan on both sides evenly with some oil.


Serve warm with Palak.

Mom made this for all of us tonight. Thanks, Mum!

Dal Fry (Lentil Soup)

Basic yet comforting. perfect for a cold rainy day or when you are down with the flu. Stay healthy, my friends! Don't let that virus get to you!

Ingredients:
1. Garlic, minced
2. Ginger, minced
3. Onion chopped
4. Green chili, minced
5. Tomato, chopped
6. Toor dal, 1 cup
7. Cumin seeds
8. Mustard seeds
9. Methi (fenugreek) seeds
10. Heeng,
11. Salt
12. Turmeric powder
13. Oil.


Instructions:
1. Heat oil in a pressure cooker.
2. Add methi and mustard seeds and let it crackle.
3. The add cumin seeds and heeng and let it sizzle.
4. Add onion, garlic, ginger, chili and fry.
5. Add turmeric powder and washed toor dal.
6. Stir then add water, tomato, and salt.
7. Close the cover of the pressure cooker and let 5-6 whistles to blow.

Serve warm.

Gobhi Aloo (Cauliflower Potato)

Gobhi Aloo is a ubiquitous Indian side often relished with Indian breads. It's a common dish made in everyday meals. With Cauliflower so easily accessible in this country, one has to explore new recipes every time to refrain from getting bored of this vegetable. I seem to be running out of ideas on how to cook this veggie.
This recipe was googled and struck a chord due to its North Indian-ness. The recipe was not copied to the word but adjusted to my taste and pantry.

Serves 2. No preparation required.

Ingredients:
1. Cumin seeds
2. 3 tsp oil
3. A pinch of heeng
4. 3 tsp coriander powder
5. 1 tsp red chili powder
6. 1 tsp dried mango powder (amchoor)
7. 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
8. 1/2 boiled potato, cut in wedges
9. 1/2 cauliflower, cut in bite size pieces
10. few tbsp water.
11. Salt to taste
12. Bay leaf
13. Tomato, cut in bite size pieces

Instructions:
1. Heat  a wok.
2. Add oil and then heeng and bay leaf.
3. Add cumin seeds to the oil and let it sizzle.
4. Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, and red chili powder.
5. Mix then add cauliflower.
6. Add salt and water.
7. Cover and cook for 10 mins on medium flame.
8. Mix.
9. Add boiled potato and a small tomato.
10. Cover and cook for another 5-10 mins till al-dente.
11. Add amchoor powder (mango powder) and mix.

Serve hot with Roti.

Simple yet tasty.

Naan (Indian Bread)

I've been contemplating on making Naan at home for a long time now. I used to think that this bread was more fit to be cooked at restaurants. But I like to try new things and recipe for Naan intrigued me. I wanted to see if I could replicate the results of a restaurant or how close I could come to it. How hard is it anyways? The ingredients seemed nothing complicated and, for the most part, were readily available in my pantry. This was probably the only North Indian dish I had not attempted. Why leave a stone unturned- I thought to myself and decided to take a stab at it.

Sundays are the best days for cooking and relishing something special like this :)

Instructions:
1. 3-4 cups all purpose flour (maida)
2. 2.5 Tsp beaten yogurt
3. 1 tsp yeast
4. 1 cup milk at room temperature
5. Warm water
6. Sugar, 1 tsp
7. salt, 1 tsp
8. Baking soda, a pinch
9. oil
10. Nigella seeds (kalonji)
11. Cilantro, chopped

Instructions:
1. Dissolve 1 yeast in warm water. Let it stand for 10 mins.
2. To the all purpose flour, add sugar, salt, yogurt, oil.
3. Mix well so that it starts to look like crumbs.
4. Add milk, dissolved yeast and knead to a sticky dough.
5. Add some oil and make a smooth dough.
6. Cover with cellophane wrap and put it in a warm place.
7. When the dough rises to double, punch it and knead with hands again.
8. Divide the dough into equal portions and make small balls of the dough.
9. Using a rolling pin, flatten the balls to an elongated shape making sure its not too thin.
10. Sprinkle cilantro and nigella seeds on it.
11. Broil 3-4 naans at a time in the oven on parchment paper at 200deg for 3-4 mins
12. When you see brown spots on the naan, take it out of the oven and apply butter.

Serve warm with Shahi Paneer.

Thanks, Manjula.

Pani Puri (Golgappa)/Indian Street Food

The other day during my usual trip to the grocery store, my eyes spotted some fresh mint leaves. The first thing that occured to me was Golgappa.

Today, I tried to re-create the magic that the street food in Delhi has. It made me nostalgic!

Golgappa is a round, hollow, crispy puff that is punctured by hand to stuff it with spicy boiled potatoes and chickpeas. The opening is then filled with mint water and a tamarind condiment. The puff is eaten one at a time w/o biting. The fun of relishing this dish comes not only from the flavour but also from the way it is consumed.

Ingredients and Instructions:

1. Boil potatoes and add red chili powder and black salt. Mash coarsely. You can add boiled chickpeas to this. This will be the stuffing.

2. Make a puree of mint, coriander, cumin seeds, black salt, chaat masala, jal jeer powder, and some tamarind condiment, Add water and mix well. Then refrigerate.

3. Make the tamarind condiment as per this recipe.

4. Golgappa (made from a dough of semolina and all purpose flour, then deep fried). You can easily buy these at an Indian grocery store.

Butter Chicken

1. 1 yellow onion, sliced
2. Tomato paste
3. Yogurt, 1 cup
4. cream 1 cup
5. Salt
6. Sugar
7. Butter
8. Ghee
9. Butter chicken masala
10. Butter chicken paste (optional)
11. Boneless, skinless, chicken breast, cut in pieces
12. Lemon juice (optional)
13. Kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves - these are milder and less bitter than the seeds)
14. Deghee mirch.

Instructions:
1. Whisk yogurt and add butter chicken masala, lemon juice, and chicken to it. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours.
2. Heat ghee in a non stick pan and when melted, add sliced onions and brown sugar to it.
3. When caramelized, set aside and cool.
4. Make a puree of the caramelized onions. This will impart sweetness to the sauce.
5. Heat ghee in a wok, add butter chicken sauce, tomato paste, and onion puree.
6. Saute for a few minutes then add cream and deghee mirch. (I used half and half instead of full cream).
Note: The tomato paste, cream, and mirch will impart a nice orange-red colour to the curry.
7. Bake the marinade chicken in the oven for 40min at 350 degrees on parchment paper so that it doesn't stick to the base.
8. Add chicken pieces  and salt to the sauce you made in step 6. You can add milk at this time to increase the gravy.
9. Simmer on medium low heat for about 20 mins, stirring occasionally.
10. Top with kasoori methi and add another dalllop of fresh cream as a garnish.

Serve with Naan or Steamed white basmati rice.

Aloo Ke Parathe (Stuffed Indian Flatbread)

1. Whole wheat flour, appx 2 cups
2. Oil
3. 2-3 Potatoes - boiled, peeled, mashed
4. Salt to taste
5. Red chili powder, 1 tsp or to taste
6. Sugar 1.5 tsp
7. Juice of a small lemon
8. Coriander powder, .5 tsp
9. Cumin powder, 1 tsp
10. Garlic, 2 pods, minced
11. Ginger, 1 inch, minced
12. Garam masala, 1 tsp

Instructions:
1. Make a dough of the whole wheat flour using water. Add some oil to knead into a smooth dough.
2. Mix mashed potatoes with salt, red chili powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, lemon juice, sugar, garlic, and ginger. Set aside.
3. Pinch out a small ball of wheat dough and flatten it using a rolling pin as shown in this post.
4. At the center of this flattened dough, place a small ball of the mashed potatoes.
Note: Try to keep the potato ball size to be the same size as the size of the dough you pulled out in step 3.

5. Now swirl the sides of the flattened dough around the potato ball like this and then seal the sides by joining all the sides together as shown below.
6. Pinch out the top of the excess dough.
7. Flatten this (dough ball stuffed with potato filling) with your hands. Use a rolling pin to flatten the opposite side of the ball.
8. Cook on medium heat on a pan on one side until it starts to form small black dots or lines on the side that is in contact with the pan.
9. Smear minimal oil on the upper side and then flip.
10. Repeat step 8 and 9 for this side.

Serve warm as dinner with Raita and pickles.

Tandoori Paneer Tikka (Cottage Cheese Kebob)

Perfect recipe for a summer barbecue! It was a hit this weekend :)

1. 1 bottle tandoori paste
2. red/green/orange/yellow bell peppers cut in squares
3. mushrooms
4. red onion cut in sqaures.
5. Salt
6. Oil
7. Paneer cut in cubes

Instructions:
1. Mix paste, oil, and salt to form a marinade. Marinade the veggie and paneer in this overnight.
2. Thread veggie and paneer on a bamboo skewer.
3. Grill evenly on each side on a barbecue.

Serve warm with coriander chutney, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and sprinkle chaat masala.
Wrap it up in a whole wheat tortilla for a satisfying lunch and call it Paneer Kathi Roll :)

Voila...a scrumptious treat is ready to devour!!

Restaurant Style Paneer Bhurji (Spicy Scrambled Cottage Cheese)

A lot of people would like to call this the vegetarian option of scrambled eggs. You can choose to make this with a little less gravy than I did and have it for breakfast. But I'd rather keep it the way it is and devour this satisfying side for dinner.

Mr. Husband and I both agreed that the dish turned out truly restaurant style and tasted delicious! Another addition to our dinner menu choices.:)


Ingredients:

1. half a block of cottage cheese (paneer), shredded, appx 250g
2. 1/4 cup frozen peas
3. chopped coriander leaves, 3 tbsp
4. Kitchen King masala, .5 tsp
5. Garam masala, 1.5 tsp
6. Shahi paneer masala, 2 tsp
7. Salt
8. .5 tsp turmeric powder
9. a pinch of heeng
10. 1/2 a medium onion
11. 10 cashewnuts
12. 3 tbsp tomato paste
13. 3 pods of garlic
14. Oil
15. Jeera (cumin seeds), 1 tsp
16. red chili powder, 1/4 tsp
17. 1/2 tsp coriander powder
18. Milk, 3-4 tbsp

Instructions:
1. Make a paste of onion, cashew nuts and garlic.
2. Heat a wok and add oil in it.
3. Add cumin seeds and heeng
4. Add the onion paste and cook until it turns brown.
5. Add tomato paste and cook until it leaves the oil.
6. Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, kitchen king masala, coriander/dhania powder, shahi paneer masala, salt.
7. Cook covered for a 5 mins on low heat. Mix well.
8. Add grated/shredded paneer/cottage cheese, peas, milk.
9. Cook and cover for 5 mins or so.
10. Sprinkle coriander leaves.

Serve with Indian flatbread (roti) and mint cucumber raita (yogurt)

Bhindi Do Pyaaza (Okra with Onions)

I know, I know - this looks more like Aloo Do Pyaaza or Aloo Bhindi. But what is in the name? The more important part is that this recipe is a sure shot road to success. Never has this one let me down. Although the original and traditional Bhindi Fry recipe may be a common but a more well known preparation, Bhindi Do Pyaaza has an appeal of it's own. The addition of Pyaaz (onion) in double proportions to Okra and Potatoes gives this dish an interesting twist. The caramelized onions bring out a sweet and crunchy flavour to the rather soft potato and okra vegetables. This one, too, is a typical North Indian dish. Glad to be from that part of India!

Ingredients:

1. Okra, 1.5 pound, chopped

2. 2 medium sized potatoes, cubed

3. 3-4 onions, chopped

4. oil

5. mustard seeds

6. cumin seeds

7. heeng

8. turmeric powder

9. salt to taste

10. red chili powder, to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat a wok and add oil to it.

2. Add mustard seeds and let it crackle.

3. Add cumin seeds and when it sizzles, add heeng.

4. Add turmeric powder and onions.

5. Caramelize the onions.

6. Add potatoes.

7. Cover and cook until the potatoes start to appear somewhat translucent.

8. Add okra and cover and cook.

9. When about done, add red chili powder, salt and mix well.

Serve warm with Indian flatbread.

Tinda Fry (Baby Pumpkins with Caramelized Onions)

Tinda is a vegetable that my mom discovered after we moved to Northern India. I've never seen it at grocery stores in North America or other parts of India. Also, I've never had a chance to cook it. The other day, my eyes spotted these fresh baby pumpkins sitting comfortably at my usual grocery stop. Variety, I thought to myself, would make dinner interesting. And off I went to pay for these lush green vegetables. Later that day I gave a call to mom for the recipe. This is what turned out.


1. 5-6 baby pumpkins/Indian round gourd/apple gourd, peeled, sliced, seeds removed.
2. 1 large onion, chopped or sliced
3. oil
4. Salt to taste
5. mustard seeds, 1 tsp
6. cumin seeds, 1 tsp
7. amchoor powder (dried mango powder), 2 tsp
8. red chili powder, .5 tsp
9. Heeng, a pinch
10. turmeric powder, 1 tsp

Instructions:
1. Heat a wok and add oil to it.
2. Add mustard seeds and let it crackle.
3. Add cumin seeds and let it sizzle then add heeng.
4. Add onions and turmeric powder.
5. Caramelize the onions.
6. Add Tinda and cover and cook till the veggie is all dente.
7. Add amchoor powder, salt, red chili powder and cook for another few mins.

Restaurant Style Dal Makhni (Buttery Lentils)

The Queen of all Dahls - Dahl Makhni is sheer indulgence. The literal translation in English is Lentil Butter. Righly so due to it's thick, rich, and creamy texture. It's one of those dishes that are a must-have on the menu for a special occasion or festive mood. In fact, this charmer has enough magic to transform a simple afternoon lunch or daily dinner in to a sinful special feast.
Dal Makhani or Maa ki Dal is a signature North Indian number that will get you rave reviews from your house guests.  Try it once and enjoy the extravaganza!

1. 1.5 cup whole urad dal (black gram)
2. .5 cup rajma (kidney beans)
3. .5 cup chana dal (split yellow gram)
4. 6-8 pods of garlic.
5. 1 inch ginger peeled.
6. Ghee, 3 tsp
7. 100ml or 1 can of tomato paste
8. Fresh cream, 10ml appx
9. Salt to taste
10. Cumin seeds
11. Heeng
12. Garam masala, 2-3 tsp
13. Red chili powder, 2 tsp appx
14. 2 tbsp butter or more as per dietry restrictions
15. 2 thai chili, minced

Instructions:
1. Soak 1-3 overnight.
2. Coarsely grate the garlic and ginger.
3. Boil the the soaked dal in a pressure cooker with 3/4 portions of the garlic ginger paste.
4. When the lid of the cooker opens, mash the dal with the back of a ladle.
5. In a deep bottomed vessel, heat ghee.
6. Add cumin seeds to the ghee and let it sizzle.
7. Add heeng, kasuri methi and the rest of the coarsely ground garlic ginger paste and chili.
8. Saute for a few mins.
9. To this, add the tomato paste and mix well. Cook until the tomato leaves the oil.
10. Add in the mashed dal and mix again.
11. If needed, add water to the dal and then boil it on low heat.
12. Add red chili powder, garam masala, salt, butter, and cream.
13. Simmer on low heat for an hour or more, stirring occasionally. If and as required, add water.
Note: This will give the dish the right texture and taste. Note that the consistency should be rather thick and not runny.
14. Adjust seasonings as necessary and to taste.

Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and fresh cream.
Serve with Indian flatbread or white rice.
A gourmet's delight!

Rajma (Red Kidney Beans Curry)

Rajma needs no introduction. It's a classic North Indian dish packed with protein and flavour, served in everyday meals. It tastes best with steamed white rice. As you can see, I like my rajma with more gravy as it I am not a fan of dry white rice.

This dish needs preparation unless you choose to use canned red kidney beans available at the stores. I prefer to soak my beans overnight rather than using canned or preserved food products.





Ingredients:
1. 5 fists of red kidney beans, soaked overnight.
2. Salt to taste
3. Onion, 1
4. Garlic, 2 pods
5. Cumin seeds, 1 tsp
6.Thai green chili, 1
7. Rajma powder, MDH, 3-4 tsp
8. Tomato paste, 3-4 tsp
9. Oil
10. heeng, a pinch
11. turmeric powder, 1 tsp

Instructions:
1. Grate onion, garlic, chili.
2. Pressure cooker kidney beans and allow 4-5 whistles to blow.
3. Heat a wok and then add oil.
4. Add cumin seeds and let it sizzle.
5. Add a pinch of heeng and turmeric powder.
6. Add the grated paste and mix well. Cook until it slightly changes colour.
7. Add in rajma masala and tomato paste
8. Cook until it leaves the oil.
9. Add some water as per desired consistency.
10. Let it simmer for 10 mins.
11. Add in boiled kidney beans and mix well.
12. Simmer for another 10-15 mins.

Serve warm with steamed white Basmati Rice.

Home Style Kashmiri Dum Aloo (Creamy Potato Curry) AND AWARD!!

Dum Aloo is a classic and signature North Indian delicacy that was traditionally cooked in a sealed clay pot to avoid the moisture from escaping. In a modern world and in the everyday kitchen setting, this recipe is the closest contemporary counterpart. Dum Aloo is characterized by a rich and creamy gravy with potatoes that are boiled and then pan fried.

My mom would often make Dum Aloo at home during my childhood days.

I had a bunch of potatoes in my pantry that needed attention. I am bored of cooking and eating the usual suspects (read dishes) for lunch/dinner. So, after so many years, I decided to try my luck with a new recipe.


1. 2-3 potatoes, boiled, peeled, haved, forked, then pan fried.
2. 1 onion grated
3. 1 pod garlic
4. cashewnuts, a handful
5. Dry roasted cloves, peppercorn, poppy seeds, and cinnamon
6. yogurt, 1 cup, whisked
7. 1 tsp cumin seeds
8. 1 bay leaf
9. 1 pinch of heeng
10. tomato paste, 3-4 tsp
11. 1 tsp Cumin powder
12. 1 tsp Coriander powder
13. 1 tsp red chili powder
14. 1 tsp turmeric powder
15. 1 tsp ghee or clarified butter
16. mace, a small piece
17. nutmeg, a pinch
18 Salt to taste

Instructions:
1. Grate roasted cloves,onions, garlic, cinnamon, poppy seeds, black peppercorn, mace, nutmeg, cashews.
2. Heat a wok.
3. Add ghee and cumin seeds and let it sizzle.
4. Add a bay leaf to this and heeng.
5. Add grated ingredients.
6. Add ingredients 10-14 and salt. Cook till it leaves the ghee. If you like a kick, add some garam masala. I did.
7. Add water and yogurt and let it simmer for 10 mins or so.
8. Add pan fried boiled potatoes and cook for another 5 mins or so.

Serve Warm with roti or parantha.

Verdict: Did not regret it.
Food Palette Pink!
Disclaimer: Weight watchers, beware!

Priya, from Now Serving, has kindly bestowed me an award. Thanks,Priya! This means a lot to me and I am grateful! It's so much fun blogging with you guys. This blog world is a better place to be in because of positive energy bloggers like you disseminate. I love visiting all your blogs. You all are a great bunch!

Since the award needs to be passed on to a specific person, this time around I would like to pass on this award to Prathibha of Chef and Her Kitchen. Pratibha is one talented blogger and I feel that her blog kicks some ass. Congrats, Prathu!

Dahi Bhalla/Vada (Lentil dumpings in Flavoured Yogurt Sauce)

My post on Tamarind Chutney was a prelude to this recipe as well as one upcoming post.

Dahi Bhalla or Dahi Vada is a popular North Indian snack known as Chaat or street food. I learned how to make Dahi Vada by my mom. It was one of the first things I learned to cook. Today, I made this after some twenty years and it still turned out perfect! *Blushes*

1. 1 cup urad dal (while lentils)
2. Heeng
3. Salt
4. Thai chili, 1
5. Yogurt
6. Tamarind Chutney
7. Cumin powder (optional)
8. Sev (store bought, optional)
9. Chaat masala (optional)
10. Sugar

Instructions:
1. Soak the urad dal overnight.
2. Strain the water and grind the lentil in a food processor with thai chili, heeng, and salt. This will give you a batter.
3. Heat oil in a deep bottomed vessel. Drop portions of the batter the hot oil with a spoon.
4. Fry until the drops turn golden brown. This will give you lentil dumplings.
5. Transfer the fried lentil dumplings to a pot with salted water.
6. Sqeeze the water out of the dumplings and set aside.
7. Whisk yogurt and add sugar, red chili powder, and cumin powder to it.
9. Pour this yogurt over the dumplings.
10. Garnish topped with tamarind chutney, sev, chaat masala.
11. Refrigerate for a few hours.

Serve chilled.

Shahi Paneer

Paneer is Cottage cheese. Paneer can be cooked in many forms such as Spinach Paneer, Peas Paneer, and many more.

One variant, however, is considered of a totally elite class. Shahi Paneer  - the literal translation is Royal Cheese. And indeed is this dish Royal. Shahi Paneer is cheese in a thick and creamy tomato gravy. 
It's a typical North Indian and Mughalai decadent that is popular on menus at restaurants and as a special dish at the dinner table at house parties.

Ingredients:
1. 1/2 kg paneer
2. Handful of cashewnuts
3.  3 tsp sugar
4. 1/2 medium onion
5. 70 ml tomato paste
6. 3-4 pods of garlic
7. 1 inch ginger
8. Salt to taste
9. 1 cup whip cream
10. 1 cup milk
11. 2 tsp coriander powder
12. 1/2 tsp red chili powder
13. 1 tsp turmeric powder
14. 1/2 tsp heeng
15. 1.5 tsp shahi paneer masala
16. Oil
17. 1 tsp garam masala
18. 1 small thai chili

Instructions:
1. Grind cashewnuts, onion, ginger, garlic, chili to form a paste.
2. Heat oil in a wok and then add this and cook until it changes color
3. Add the masala ingredients and tomato paste
4. Cook until this leaves the oil. Then add sugar and salt. Miz.
5. Add the paneer and cook for anther 5 mins.
6. Add milk and mix.

Garnish with kasuri methi and freshly chopped coriander leaves.

HAPPY HOLI!!

Palak Paneer (Indian cottage cheese in a spinach based sauce)

Palak Paneer or cottage cheese in a creamy fresh spinach sauce is delicious green food. This healthy (spinach), wholesome (cheese!) indulgence leaves an indelible mark on flavours and food colors of North Indian cuisine.

Palak paneer is cooked in a tomato, onion spinach curry. A riot of Indian spices make this dish a special treat. The sauteed onions add a crunch to the dish, the tomato flirts on the tangy side, and garam masala spells it's magic! Try using pureed spinach.

Ingredients:
1. 1 can Spinach Puree
2. 3/4 onion, chopped
3. 1 tomato, chopped
4. Olive oil
5. 1 teaspoon garlic paste
6. 1 teaspoon ginger paste
7. 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
8. 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
9. 1 teaspoon garam masala
10. Salt to taste
11. 1 cup chopped and thawed Frozen Cottage cheese
12. Drops of lemon juice.
13. 1 teaspoon coriander powder

Instructions:
1. Heat oil in a saucepan
2. Ad onion and saute until tender
3. Add tomato and cover for 5-10 mins.
4. Add turmeric powder and cover again. Saute until the tomato onion paste leaves the oil that is now yellow because of the turmeric.
5. Add pureed spinach and let simmer for about 20 mins, stirring occasionally.
6. Add red chili powder, garam masala, coriander powder and cover. Let simmer again for another 10 mins or until the water in the puree disappears.
7. Add lemon juice and mix well.
8. Add salt.
9 Add cottage cheese and cover again. Substitute cottage cheese with tofu for a guilt free indulgence ;-)

Serve hot with Paranthas.

Chef's tip: Add yogurt/milk/half and half/or ground cashew nut for a creamy texture.

Matar paneer (Peas cheese)

Warning! This dish is high in calories :)

This dish is another sought after delicacy by North Indian and around the world food fanatics! No North Indian restaurant would commit the sin of leaving this dish out of their menu. Matar paneer is traditionally considered a dish of the rich and therefore you will find it at any party or feast. The dish is prepared in a lip smacking tangy and spicy sauce with more peas then cottage cheese. Some people like to fry the cottage cheese but I prefer not to because that is not healthy.
And no kidding, it makes this dish a lot easier to make!

No preparation required. Serves 4-6.

Ingredients:
1. 5 cups frozen green peas. Remember this is matar paneer not paneer matar!
2. 1 block cottage cheese, sliced into sqaures
3. 1 tablespoon salt
4. 1 teaspoon cumin powder
5. 2 heaping teaspoons coriander powder
6. 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
7. 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder
8. 1 teaspoon garam masala
9. 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
10. 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
11. 1 bay leaf
12. 1 dried red chili
13. 5 tablespoons olive oil
14. 1 medium sized onion
15. 3 tablespoons tomato paste
16. coriander leaves to garnish
17. 1 teaspoon minced garlic ginger

Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil in a pan and add bay leaf and dried red chili
2. Add mustard seeds and allow to splutter
3. Add cumin seeds and when they turn brown, add garlic, ginger, and onion
4. Fry the onions and garlic/ginger.
5. Add coriander powder, garam malasa, turmeric powder, cumin powder, red chili powder and then add tomato paste.
6. Sautee until the oil starts to leave the onion tomato paste we made.
7. Add peas and cook until peas are warm
8 Add salt and cover the pan over low heat and cook for 10 minutes. Covering is important because we want the moisture from the peas mixed with masala to be absorbed by the cheese. If the vegetables look dry, add a few spoons of water.
9. Add cottage cheese slices and cook covered for another 10 minutes, stirring gently to mix the paste and peas with the spices. Make sure not break the slices of cheese while turning.
10. Garnish as desired

Serve hot with roti or paranthas.

Food Trivia:
Cottage cheese is called paneer in Hindi. It is a bi product of milk and is the base ingredient for several desserts and main course meals. Paneer can be made at home by adding a few drops of lemon juice to milk and allowing the fat to separate from the milk.

Dal makhani modified (Lentil butter)

Dal Makhani is a must have entrée at any North Indian restaurant. It is considered a part of a sumptuous meal and a special dish for many Indians. You will often find this delicacy at parties and at feasts. The traditional way to cook Dal Makhani was to do so slowly and for hours on charcoal heat. This would give it a creamy texture. In this Any-time-on-demand world, the recipe has changed. The modern recipe involves cooking the lentils quickly and adding cream for the desired texture.

To each one, her own. And rightly, this recipe is modified by me. It was a long day, the fridge was empty, and my body was tired but does my palate listen? No. I was still craving Dal Makhani and had been for a long time. I had soaked kidney beans which was a motivator. So, I decided to cook it quickly, my way - the convenient way.

Needs preparation. Serves 4-6.

Ingredients:
1. 3 fists Kidney beans, soaked for 8 hours
2. 6 fists black lentils, washed and soaked for 10-15mins.
3. 3/4 teaspoons garam masala
4. 1 small onion, finely chopped
5. 1/2 tablespoon grated ginger
6. 1/4 tablespoon grated or crushed garlic
7. 1 heaping tablespoon full of ghee or clarified butter
8. 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
9. 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
10. 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
11. 1 Cinnamon stick
12. 1 bay leaf for aroma
13. 1 dried red chili
14. 2 teaspoons full of coriander powder
15. 1 teaspoon cumin powder
16. 1.5 teaspoon salt
17. 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
18. 1.5 tablespoon sour cream
19. 1/4 teaspoon asafoetida
20. 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder
21. 3 glasses of water


Instructions:
1. Heat ghee in a pressure cooker.
2. Add bay leaf, red dried chili, cinnamon stick, and mustard seeds and allow to crackle.
3. Add cumin seeds, fenugreek and wait until the popping sound fastens.
4. Add ginger, garlic, onion and fry until the onion turns golden brown.
5. Add cumin powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala, red chili powder, asafoetida.
6. Cook for a few minutes until the fat starts to leave the masala. You will see the yellow color of the ghee seperate from the onion.
7. Add soaked kidney beans and lentils and water.
8. Add salt and close the lid of the pressure cooker. Allow at least 8 whistles to blow.
9. Turn off the heat. Allow the lid to open by itself. Then add cream and cook with a covered lid for another 5 minutes.
10. Serve hot and garnish as desired.

This can be eaten as a hearty soup, as curry with Roti or with parantha. It tastes even better the next day because the lentils absorb the spices with time.

Things I could have gone without: bay leaf, cinnamon stick, coriander powder.
Things I could have done: Add tomato, fennel seed powder, use a slow cooker instead of a pressure cooker, use whole black gram lentil instead of black lentil, cook lentils and kidney beans separately and mash the lentils for a smoother texture.

Kitchen flavours and Trupti told me about Lentil Mela and suggested I participate. So here I go!