Monday, November 10, 2008

Paneer Malabari


Though I have a busy schedule throughout the week, I feel there should always be time for delicious food and family meals. Inspite of having diverse activities in the day, I somehow think that eating together at the end of the day is important. Cooking is one of my favorite relaxation therapies and though it may make me tired physically after a long busy day, it definitely rejuvenates me mentally - even if I prepare a quick meal for just 3 of us. I believe that a busy life-style doesn't have anything to compromise on healthy and tasty food. Yes, my busy life too demands quick and easy meals but I can never give up on flavours. I'm personally not fond of bland foods, and have a tendency to spice up any dish by adding my own touches. Well, its just not about adding that extra "chilli" kick to spice it up, but more than that, the flavour is the most wonderful thing that I can anticipate in a dish.

Needless to say, the way we cook food nowadays have also changed dramatically. While growing up, I'm used to watching the home-made masalas ground and prepared fresh for everyday meals. Now its a world of ready-made spice powders and ready-made masala pastes. Yet, I strongly believe that adding a little bit of right spice and making some simple tweaks, can make any dish come out delicious.

I also have to admit that our tastes and likings also change quite a bit in these recent years. Atleast mine have changed a lot. There are several reasons for that - having the opportunity to indulge in different cuisines at restaurants or during travel, developing the interest to try new recipes etc. One of the startling reasons that I feel is, coming across different recipes for the same dish! This is something incredible that always throws me off! I'm sure we all of us have experienced this in our life... It could be through friends during a party, or through internet, blogs etc. Its amazing to learn how a neat little twist to our favorite recipe that we've loved and grew up with, brings a whole new flavor. This actually inspires me to try new flavors at home too and indirectly helps my taste-buds adapt to new flavors.

Well, this is one such dish that adds a whole new twist with paneer. During my childhood, Paneer was a delicacy. Mom used to make it rarely and whenever she made it, there were no leftovers. Though nowadays its no longer a delicacy in our household, I've only made and tasted Paneer with traditional north-indian spices and have never thought it will get along with coconut too. The first time I came across this recipe (I believe from a TV show), I was a little intimidated making it. But it didn't disappoint me and the dish came out incredibly tasty and very unique! The ingredients list may seem to be longer, but all of them are fairly common and are tossed in as a paste.

Ingredients:

  • Paneer - 25 cubes
  • Onion - 1 medium
  • Tomato Puree - 1/2 cup
  • Cinnamon - 1 inch
  • Cloves - 2
  • Curd - 1/4 cup
  • Chilli powder - 1 tsp
  • Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
  • Raisins - a few
  • Corriander leaves - a hand full
For the paste

  • Cashews - 6 full (or 15 broken pieces)
  • Shredded coconut - 2 tbsp
  • Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
  • Cardamom - 1
  • Kasakasa - 1 tbsp (soaked in water for 10 mins)
  • G.Chillies - 2 small
  • Ginger - 1 inch
  • Garlic - 3 medium pods
Procedure:

  • Dry fry Cumin seeds, cardamom. Then add the shredded coconut and dry fry for a few more mins. Grind these together with g.chillies, ginger, garlic, cashews and soaked kasakasa to a smooth paste.
  • Heat oil in a pan and season with cinnamon, cloves.
  • Add chopped onions and fry for a few mins.
  • Add tomato puree and all spice powders. Mix well and cover for 5 mins in medium heat.
  • Add the ground paste and salt. Fry for 3 - 4 mins or cover for 5 more mins.
  • Now add paneer cubes, raisins and curd. Stir well and boil for some more time.
  • Finally add corriander leaves and remove from heat.
Serve hot with Rotis/Parathas.

34 comments:

Vijitha said...

This recipe is kinda new to me! it looks so lovely! i am gonna try this for sure!

Anonymous said...

looks delicious...

Laavanya said...

That's true. i've hardly try to incorporate paneer with south indian masalas... Nice to know it was yummy and it does look very tempting. I'm like you..whatever my tension is, it all seems to melt once i start to cook :)

lubnakarim06 said...

Something new to me looks yummy.

Deepthi Shankar said...

wow .. that looks rich & creamy

raaji said...

voww sujatha......loved this version..i am sure this would have tasted gr8

Sum Raj said...

its nice to c u too sujatha...ur recipes roak..i lov anything with panner..

CurryLeaf said...

Looks rich and creamy.Lovely and I too am a spicy person

Unknown said...

Am just drooling here.Seeing the picture..loks too good!

Cham said...

What a creamy looking dish very elegant indeed :)

Usha said...

Looks very yummy...would be great for a party :-)

Gita Jaishankar said...

The paneer malabari looks so mouth-watering. I should try this one...

Jaishree Iyer said...

Looks very yummy n mouth watering...This recepie is new to me will try..

Uma said...

delicious curry! Gorgeous.

Sunshinemom said...

The kasakasa addition is new to me in paneer curry. You are right about how just a small twist can open up new flavors in cooking! Looks tasty.

@the_whisk_affair said...

the paneer dish looks and sounds wonderful!! mouth-watering! DROOL!

Andhra Flavors said...

sounds delicious!

ST said...

Something new to me looks utterly delicious ,rich and creamy...

@the_whisk_affair said...

theres something for u on my blog, dear suj!

Sagari said...

curry looks very creamyyy sujatha

Ramya Vijaykumar said...

They recipe is definitely my kind and I would like to have them with rotis...

Indranee Batabyal said...

Absolutely delicious recipe...love paneer!

Gita Jaishankar said...

Please check my blog, I have something for you :)

Anonymous said...

Sujatha ..
Plz collect ur awards frm my blog
http://curryworld.wordpress.com/2008/11/15/rave-dosa/
love
veena

Sujatha said...

Thanks a ton to each one of you for your great words... And, thank you so much Gita, Kitchen Flavors and Veena for sharing your awards with me.. :)

Sum Raj said...

small treat to share with u..check my blog..

Malar Gandhi said...

Dude trail back to my blog, got soemthing special for you!

Vikis Kitchen said...

Lovely curry. I have something waiting for u my dear. Just trail back.

Sujatha said...

Thanks malar and Viki for thinking about me for sharing your awards.. :)

Vijitha said...

I have something for ya in my blog!! Do collect it dear! :-)
Hugs

Malar Gandhi said...

I am a great fan of ur recipes. They sound interesting and easy to fix. Got something for you in my blog...please trail back to collect them!

Sujatha said...

Thanks Vij and Malar for passing on the awards..

Recipeswap said...

So rich and decadent

Raks said...

Could not resist scrolling down! Pic is too gud,so is the recipe!