The Delightful Tawa Panner/Paneer Tikka

Paneer Tikka for Arnav!

Tawa Paneer/Paneer Tikka

I just love cooking for Arnav, cause for every time I make something new or different for him, he gives me a warm hug and sometimes just to please me over eats- how cute is that Arnavu!  I love you baby.

Arnav loved the Paneer  (cottage cheese)  Tikka my Mom made recently for him and so I had to make it again for him. It is so simple to make and comes out very nice. Healthy and Yum Yum!

To prepare the marinade take curd beat it a little so that it is smooth, add ginger garlic paste, salt and pepper- the marinade is ready! You can also add chaat masala or tandoori masala (available in the market)

Add the cut onions, capsicum, paneer, tomatoes and let it stay for 4-5 hours (In summers refrigerate it).  You can fork the paneer lightly so that the marinade penetrates inside it and it tastes better. Once marinated, you are all set.  You can pre heat the gril on medium and grill till the paneer is light golden and onions soft, or like me shallow fry the veggies and paneer in a Tablespoon oil on a saucepan.

Feel free to add more veggies like mushroom and garnish with coriander.

Serve hot and enjoy!

 

 

Bathua Curry!

Brunch on Bathua Curry

Bathua Curry

Bathua, known as pigweed was introduced by my father in law to me. And when he makes something….there is now way you don’t fall in love with that dish….if I love Karela today it is because he made it the first time I tried it. He is an awesome cook and one cannot but fall in love with food in his company. Lucky Me!

This is a winter veggie, and rich in iron and calcium, hence very good for health. We feasted on the side dish with some hot Chapattis and it made our winter morning complete!

Ingredients-

Bathua- 2-3 Bunch, washed thoroughly and chopped fine.

Besan (Chickpea Flour) – 1.5 Tbsp

Curd- 250 gms

Ghee/Oil- 1 Tbsp

Mustard Seeds and Cumin Seeds (Rai & Jeera)

A couple of Green Chilies- optional

Turmeric Powder

A pinch of Red Chili Powder

Salt to taste

Method-

In a sauce pan, take a tea spoon ghee or oil, heat it and Zeera powder, once it splutters, add the finely chopped bathua. Let this cook  until the water dries up and bathua is cooked.

As the Bathua cooks,  beat the curd and add besan,- add approximately 3-4  cups of water and mix so that this it is uniform. Heat ghee in a sauce pan and add mustard seeds. Once the crackle, add the green chilies and fry them for a minute. Now add the curd mixture and stir frequently until it comes to a boil. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes. Now add the cooked Bathua to this. Add salt, red chili powder and turmeric powder too. Let this simmer for five minutes….and Bathua Curry is ready!

Serve hot with Chapattis or rice. Eat on!

Here is wishing everybody a very Happy Makar Sankranti… a picture of Arnav doing Rangoli…

Arnav doing Rangoli!

Daal Paratha

Daal Paratha- The Complete Breakfast!

Daal Paratha

And before I could do the disappearing act again, I decided to write this post and kick off 2011- on this blog of course!

I hate to waste food and when I am left with Daal from the previous day, I mix it with flour and add onions, green chilies, coriander, extra salt as per taste.. little red chili powder, turmeric powder and a Tbsp oil! Knead the flour and you are ready to make hot crisp Parathas. You don’t really have to add water while kneading the floor, the Daal takes care of it.  You can check for consistency and add if you think you need it to knead the dough.  A Quick, delicious and healthy breakfast on a Saturday morning! Serve hot with Curd, Pickle or Butter.

You can add other veggies too- grated carrot, paneer….and alter the spice mix too to suit your taste buds- am sure you will enjoy this one.

On that note I wish to add that I have learnt a lot more about using leftover food in a different ways from my Mom in law and Mom- and what I am missing right now is my Mom making pudding with the leftover cake (very rare)…Ma I wish I could have it now….