Paneer tikka masala

I think whenever people talk about Indian cuisine, Paneer Tikka Masala is the first dish that comes to their mind and why not, this is an Indian delicacy which is so true to our heritage. There are a lot of spice variations. This is my version and i would like to believe that it's very close to authentic. Without further ado, here's the recipe.

Ingredients:

For the marinade :

4 tbsp thick yogurt
1 tbsp cumin power
juice of 2 limes
1 tsp pepper powder
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
1/2 tsp clove powder
4 -5 garlic cloves grated
1 inch ginger root grated
1 tbsp garam masala powder
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek)
salt
2 tsp oil

For the tikka :

1/2 lb paneer, cut into 1/2 cubes
1 cup bell pepper, cut into 1 inch squares
1 cup onion cut into 1 inch square

For the masala:

1 onion finely chopped
1 inch ginger, finely grated
3-4 garlic cloves, finely grated
 2 large tomatoes, pureed
2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp turmeric powder
salt
1 tbsp oil
1/2 C milk
1 tsp kasuri methi
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp garam masala powder.

Method:

1. mix all the ingredients of marinade in a mixing bowl.

2. Add chopped paneer, bell pepper and onion to the marinade and let it sit for atleast 2 hours.

3. spread the marinade mixture in a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

4. Meanwhile in a deep pan, heat the oil for masala. Add the fine chopped onion, grated ginger and grated garlic reserved for masala to the pan. Let the onions become light brown.

5. Now add tomato puree and let cook for around 5 -8 minutes , until you start seeing oil in the pan. Add salt, cayenne, turmeric powder, cumin powder, kasuri methi and garam masala.

6. Now add 1/2 C milk to create a gravy. If it is too thick, you can add some water to adjust the consistency.

7. Once the gravy comes to a boil, add the roasted veggies and paneer and let simmer for 5 minutes.

8. Enjoy.



 

Cilantro (dhaniya) Chutney

This is one of my favorite chutneys because it's so versatile. You can eat it with so many snacks like, poha, fritters , as a spread for sandwiches or as a sauce with tandoori chicken. Here is the simplest chutney

recipe.

Ingredients:

1 bunch cilantro
1 clove of garlic
3 green chilies
2 tbsp yogurt
juice of 1 lime
salt to taste

Method:

1.  roughly chop cilantro , garlic , green chilies and drop them in a blender.
2. Add lime juice and salt in the blender.
3. blend till everything is a fine paste.
4. Add yogurt and blend again.
5. Serve with any snack. Enjoy !

Alu Parantha

Alu parantha is any punjabi's favorite breakfast. Here's the recipe.

Ingredients:

2 potatoes, boiled and mashed
1/4 onion, finely chopped
2 green chilies, finely chopped
1 tsp of carom seeds (ajwain)
2 tsp garam masala
1 tsp red chili powder
salt
5 tbsp ghee
Roti dough

Method:

• Mix well onions, green, chilies, carom seeds, garam masala , red chili powder and salt with the mashed potatoes.     

• Make a small ball out of roti dough and roll it into a circle. 
• apply about 1/4th tsp of ghee to the dough circle and place 1/4th of the alu paste on the dough.    
  
• close the dough circle so that it is stuffed with the alu paste. 
• roll it out gently with the help of some dry flour
• heat a flat griddle and place the rolled parantha on it. let it cook on both sides by applying ghee until it becomes golden brown
• serve with achar and yogurt. enjoy !

Pineapple Chutney

I love something sweet and sour when i am eating spicy food. I had a can of crushed pineapple sitting in my pantry and decided to make pineapple chutney with spicy dal and rice.
Here's the recipe.

Ingredients:

1 15oz can of crushed pineapple or 1 cup fresh pineapple
1 tsp oil
pinch of hing(asafoedita)
1 tsp fenugreek seeds
1 tsp onion seeds
1 tsp of mustard seeds
1 tsp of cumin seeds
1/2 tsp turmeric
7-8 curry leaves (optional)
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tsp chili flakes
salt





Method :

1. heat oil in a pan.
2. Add all the seeds and let them splutter.
3. Add curry leaves, turmeric and chili flakes and let it cook for a few seconds.
4. now add pineapple , water , sugar and salt. Simmer and cook for about 15-20 mins or until the water is almost evaporated and pineapple is cooked.
5. Serve as a condiment with any food you like, Enjoy !