Panner Tikka Kathi Rolls

This is one of those zip zap zoom recipes...and finger lickin' good!

I used store bought tortialls - the ones marked for Burrito's for this recipe - saved me a whole lot of kneading and rolling - worked fabulously!

Do NOT use the regular tortilla's - only the ones for Burrito's - I INSIST!

Cooking Time : 20 mins.
Preparation Time : 15 mins.
Makes 9 rolls.

For the paneer tikka filling

1 cup low fat paneer, cubed
½ cup tomatoes, deseeded and diced
½ cup capsicum, diced
1 teaspoon oil

To be mixed into a marinade

¼ cup low fat curds, beaten
1 teaspoon chilli powder
¼ teaspoon turmeric powder (haldi)
½ teaspoon ginger paste
¼ teaspoon garlic paste
¼ teaspoon Bengal gram flour (besan)
½ teaspoon chaat masala
½ teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
½ teaspoon garam masala
salt to taste

For the paneer tikka filling

1. Add the paneer and tomatoes to the prepared marinade and toss lightly.
2. Leave aside for 10 minutes.
3. Heat the oil in a non-stick pan, add the capsicum and sauté for 2 minutes.
4. Add the paneer mixture and sauté over a high flame for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

How to proceed

1. Divide the paneer tikka filling into 9 equal portions.
2. Spread one portion of the filling in the centre of each chapati and roll up tightly.
3. When you want to serve, cook the rolls on a hot tava (griddle) - I used a panini grill - cooked evenly on both sides, and got those gorgeous stripes, that makes it look even more appetizing!
4. Cut into 50 mm. (2") long pieces and serve hot.

P.S. : Recommend serving with Green Coriander Chutney!

Kadai Mushrooms

I know I had promised this recipe along with the Tandoori Mushrooms recipe I posted on this blog a while ago...But hey, we're here now!

Once again, Mushrooms is one of those vegetables that you either love, or hate! I think my love for mushrooms stems from the fact that it was never cooked at home - it was one of those dishes I always ate out - it kind of became special to me :)

Some people even consider Mushrooms to be non-vegetarian (it IS a fungus), no offence! And some will call it the 'Vegetarian's Meat'...in any case, I love Mushrooms, and I love this particular dish. Its really simple - so do try it out!

Note:

Some folks like the onions and tomatoes to be small so the dish can be more gravy like - I like my vegetables to be chunky, so feel free to be creative!

Ingredients:

1 Box of regular white mushrooms - I prefer whole, since we want big chunks - cut into fours

1 large green/ red bell pepper - diced large

1 large onion - diced large

2 tomatoes - diced large

2 dry red chilli crushed (or one tbsp red chilli flakes)

1 1/2 tbsp coriander seeds crushed

1 tbsp cumin seeds

Salt to taste

Oil for sauteing (two measures)

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a pan. Add the cut mushrooms and fry them up for about 10 minutes.
2. Remove pan from heat, put mushrooms in a plate.
3. Add second measure of oil. Add the cumin seeds, the crushed red chilli and crushed coriander seeds.
4. When crackling, add onions, capsicum and let it brown for a few minutes on high heat.
5. Add the fried mushrooms, tomatoes and salt.
6. Cover and cook for just about 5 minutes, or till the tomatoes are soft.
7. Serve hot with paranthas.

Bon Appetit!

The famed Chicken Kebab's

Many, many mmmmmm's and mmmmmm's later, I have finally decided to give up my chicken kebab recipe. I am horrible at keeping recipes a secret - definitely not with my close ones. And not telling this recipe to anyone for the past 4 years is a big feat by itself. But I guess I have to divulge now.

Words cannot describe the heavenly taste of this finger food...so here's the recipe, and you can respond with mmmmmm's :)

Once again, a few tips before you start:

1. Use chicken breast instead of just chicken meat - there is definitely a huge taste difference
2. Add a lot more of the spices (green chilli, garam masala) if you like 'em spicy - the recipe makes them mild
3. When I can't use a grill - I use a stove top grilling pan, and so I make them without the seekh (skewers) and I make them round, patty shaped
4. Make sure you cook the chicken through
5. Please wash hands thoroughly after handling raw chicken

Ingredients:

400 gms mince chicken breast

100 gms paneer / cottage cheese crumbled fine

2 tbsp minced ginger-garlic

3-4 tbsp minced onion

2 tsp minced green chilli (add/remove per your taste)

1 large egg

2 tbsps Green coriander chopped fine

Salt, Red chilli powder per taste

1 tbsp coarsely crushed Coriander seeds

Oil for shallow frying

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients together except for the oil
2. Leave overnight (minimum of 4 hours) in the refrigerator
3. Heat your grill / stove top pan
4. Add oil to the pan, make little ping pong ball size portions and flatten them in your palm
5. Add to the pan and let them cook on both sides for about 3-4 minutes each - medium flame
6. This one recipe yields about 16-20, based on the size of the kebabs
7. Sprinkle with chaat masala, lemon juice and serve hot with mint-coriander chutney
8. Alternate;y, roll up in a parantha if cooked on a skewer

ENJOY!! Bon Appetit!

Easy-Breezy Methi Paneer/Chicken

This is the most quick and easy 'party' recipe that I have ever made. There is no real prep involved. And its as delicious as take-out, minus the 'hidden' ingredients that most commonly come along with your restaurant dish, even though you didn't pay for it :)

The great thing about this dish is that you could use this with chicken or paneer. You cant go wrong with this one! So here is what you need...

Ingredients:

400 gms cubed Paneer / boneless Grilled chicken
1 Cup Tomato Puree
3 Tbsp Butter
1 Tbsp minced garlic/ginger
a big handful crushed Fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi) - it is Methi Paneer!!
Red chilli powder per your taste
2-3 Green Chillies slit
1/2 tsp Garam masala powder
1/2 cup Cream / Half and Half
Salt as per taste

Directions:

1. In a pan, melt the butter and add the minced ginger garlic, green chillies and Kasuri Methi.
2. Add the red chilli powder and the tomato puree and let it simmer for 4-5 minutes. Add salt.
3. Add the paneer pieces/ Grilled chicken pieces and the cream and cook for a minute.
4. Serve hot with Parantha's, naan or rice.

A few tips:

~Adding more cream will make it more creamy (duh!!).
~Same goes for adding more butter.
~You can fry the paneer cubes before adding them to the gravy if you like.
~To make it richer, you could soak and grind to a paste a half cup of cashews/almonds. Add them to the butter first to fry up the paste to remove the 'raw' taste.
~ Add more methi for a stronger methi flavor

Bon Appetit!

Finger lickin' Paneer Jalfrezi

I recently had a catering order and I'm seriously tired of the stereo type Indian meal - Malai Kofta/ Paneer makhani / Navrattan Korma - all really creamy, heavy and tough to digest meals. Since the host so kindly left the menu for me to come up with, I decided to go for something more flavorful and light, than buttery and 'sitting in your stomach for two days'. And ofcourse it involves vegetable - I'm talking about Paneer Jalfrezi. Surprisingly simple to make and very satisfying...it left me wanting more. I hope the guests feel the same way.

Just a few tips to start with:

1. Use all colors of Bell peppers to make it visually appealing


2. Change the ratio of the vegetables and Paneer to your taste


3. Do the same with the spices. if you like it milder, skip the red chili powder


4. To reduce the tanginess, don't use the vinegar


5. And do try and cut the vegetables and the paneer all the same size...what's pleasing to the eyes, will definitely appeal to your belly :)

So here goes - Enjoy cooking and Bon Appetit!

Ingredients:

2 tbsp butter/olive oil - whatever you prefer

2 tsp cumin seeds

2 dry red chillies

2 tsp Coriander seeds, crushed

1/2 " ginger piece julienned/chopped fine

1 large capsicum (red and green)

2 medium sized onions

2 medium sized tomatoes

400 gms Paneer

1/2 tsp Red chili powder

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder

Salt to taste

1 tsp vinegar

Directions:

1. Chop the onions and Capsicum (bell peppers) evenly into 1" strips.


2. Heat oil/butter in a pan. When hot, add cumin seeds and the cracked dry red chillies.


3. Add the crushed coriander seeds, saute for 30 seconds.


4. Add the onions and capsicum. Saute for 5-7 minutes.


5. In the meantime, cut the tomatoes and Paneer into the same 1" size strips.


6. Add turmeric and red chili powder to the onions and capsicum.


7. Saute for a minute. Toss in the paneer and tomato.


8. Add salt as per taste. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes on high.


9. Turn of the stove. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.


10. Serve hot with paranthas.

ENJOY!!!

Butter Chicken or Murg Makhani

Literally translated, Murg means Chicken, and Makhani means Buttery. No other chicken dish compares to this silken smooth gravy. Butter chicken brings happy childhood memories...that's the chicken we ate every time we went out - no question about it! This dish is no good without any butter and cream. Try and be guilt free when you eat it :)

Now, there are a lot of Butter Chicken recipes out there - I personally like this one...

Ingredients

   

800 grams Chicken

1 Tbsp Lemon juice

1 Tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder

Salt to taste

2 Tbsp Butter

FOR MARINADE

1 Cup Yogurt

Salt to taste

1/2 tsp Garlic paste

1/2 tsp Garam masala powder

1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder

2 Tbsp Ginger paste

2 Tbsp Lemon juice

2 Tbsp Mustard oil

FOR MAKHANI GRAVY

50 grams Butter

1 Tbsp Ginger paste

4-5 Green chillies, chopped

1 Tbsp Red chilli powder

Salt to taste

1/2 tsp Dry fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)

1 Tbsp Whole garam masala

1 Tbsp Garlic paste

400 grams Tomato puree

1/2 tsp Garam masala powder

2 Tbsp Honey

1 Cup Cream

 

Method

 

1. Make incisions with a sharp knife on breast and leg pieces of the chicken.
   
2. Apply a mixture of red chilli powder, lemon juice and salt to the chicken and set aside for half an hour. 
   
3. Hang yogurt in a muslin cloth for fifteen to twenty minutes to remove extra water. Add red chilli powder, salt, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, garam masala powder and mustard oil. 
   
4. Apply this marinade to the chicken pieces and refrigerate for three to four hours. 
   
5. Put the chicken onto a skewer and cook in a moderately hot tandoor or a preheated oven (200°C) for ten to twelve minutes or until almost done. Cook on grill if Tandoor is not available. 
   
6. Baste it with butter and cook for another two minutes. Remove and set aside. 
   
7. Heat butter in a pan. Add green cardamoms, cloves, peppercorns and cinnamon. Sauté for two minutes.
   
8. Add ginger-garlic paste and chopped green chillies. Cook for two minutes. 
   
9. Add tomato puree, red chilli powder, garam masala powder, salt and one cup of water. Bring to a boil. 
   
10. Reduce heat and simmer for ten minutes. Add sugar or honey and powdered kasoori methi. 
    
11. Add cooked tandoori chicken pieces. Simmer for five minutes and then add fresh cream. 
    
12. Serve hot with naan or parantha and basmati rice.
    

Bon Appetit!

Cashew-Coconut-Vegetable curry

What can I say - I'm using rich ingredients for this recipe... and items I normally have in my pantry. This puts me just a vegetable or two away from a flavorful pot of richly-colored curry. This recipe features a home made curry powder, roasted cashew nuts, a handful of green beans, 

two handfuls of tiny cauliflower florets, and a bit of paneer for good measure. I should mention that while I like this particular curry blend, other nights I might take the spices in a different 

direction entirely - for example, by using a Thai-inspired curry paste instead. One can decide what to include in a curry by thinking about a few things: a hearty, substantial curry when the weather is cold; a lighter, brothy one in warmer times. Root vegetables, potatoes, cabbage, chickpeas and the like when it is stormy. Fresh peas, asparagus and other farmers' market finds as spring comes around. Play around with what you've got locally, seasonally. It's hard to go wrong.

There are few things as satisfying as cooking with your own freshly ground curry powder. I've included a recipe for one of the curry powders I like to make at home from scratch. I love the warming spices accented with plenty of kick from the dried red chilies, and sometimes if I'm in the mood for more heat I'll add extra. The turmeric gives everything it touches a stunning golden hue while playing along with toasted cumin to deliver an earthy finish. That being said, feel free to experiment with or substitute your favorite curry powder here.

Serves 2-3

Ingredients:

1 cup whole coconut milk

1 - 2 tablespoons curry powder*

scant 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 large red onion, chopped

1 medium garlic clove, chopped

1/3 cup water

4 ounces firm Paneer, cut into small cubes (optional)

1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch segments

1 1/2 cups cauliflower, cut into tiny florets

1/3 cup cashews, roasted in 1 tbsp oil

a handful of cilantro, loosely chopped

1. Bring half of the coconut milk to a simmer in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. 
   
2. Whisk in the curry powder and salt, working out any clumps. 
   
3. Now stir in the chopped red onion and garlic and cook for a minute. 
   
4. Stir in the remaining coconut milk and the water, and then the paneer. 
   
5. Cook down the liquid for a couple minutes before adding the green beans and cauliflower. 
   
6. Cover and simmer for just about one minute, maybe two - or just until the cauliflower and beans lose their raw edge and cook through a bit. 
   
7. Remove the pot from heat and stir in the cashews. 
   
8. Taste and adjust the seasoning (salt / curry powder) if needed. 
   
9. Serve with a bit of cilantro topping each bowl.
   

Curry powder, makes a scant 1/3 cup

Ingredients:

4 dried red chillies

1 tablespoon coriander seeds

1 tablespoon cumin seeds

1 tablespoon fennel seeds

1/2 teaspoon cardamom seeds

1/2 teaspoon whole cloves

Scant Tbsp turmeric

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

Directions:

1. In a dry skillet over medium heat toast all the ingredients (other than turmeric and Cinnamon) for just a minute or two or until they are deeply fragrant. 
   
2. Now use a spice grinder to grind the chillies into a powder first, remove them, then grind the spices - it usually takes a couple minutes in the grinder for each. 
   
3. Place in a small bowl and stir in a scant tablespoon of ground turmeric, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. 
   
4. Sift through a medium-fine sieve to weed out any clumps and your curry powder is ready to use. 
   

Bon Appetit!