Paneer pasanda

Paneer Pasanda is Indian cottage cheese in mild gravy. It has unique flavor of fenugreek leaves.

Ingredients:

For Paneer pasanda : Approx. 6 servings

• Paneer - 1 lbs

For sauce or gravy:

• Onion - 1 (pureed)
• Tomato puree - 1 cups
• Ginger paste - 1 tbsp
• Garlic paste - 1 tbsp
• Paneer - 2 tbsp grated
• Cashew nuts - 1/4 cup tbsp powdered
• Green chili - 1 tsp (finely chopped) [OPTIONAL]
• Heavy cream - 3/4 cup
• Olive oil - 1 tbsp
• Butter - 1 tbsp
• Sugar/Honey - 2 tsp

Dry Spices:

• Whole garam masala - 1 tbsp
• Cumin - 1 tsp
• Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
• Red chili powder - 1/2 tsp
• Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
• Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp
• Tandoori masala - 1/4 tsp
• Dry Fenugreek leaves (kasoori methi) - 2 tsp
• Salt as per taste

Method:

1. Cut paneer in 1x1 inch cubes. Put them in boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Drain, add some salt and tandoori masala on paneer pieces and keep aside for at least 20 minutes.
2. Very lightly shallow fry paneer cubes in 1 tbsp of oil. Keep aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a pan. Add whole garam masala. Let it crackle. Add cumin to it. Then add pureed onions and saute them, till turns light golden. Add ginger paste, garlic paste and chopped green chilies (optional). Cook for 2 minutes.
4. Add tomato puree, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder and salt.
5. Add grated paneer and cashew nut powder to the gravy. Bring it to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add honey to it. Stir in heavy cream and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
6. Add paneer pieces to the gravy. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
7. Add kasoori methi and mix well. Paneer pasanda is ready to be served.

Enjoy with fresh naan, paratha or steamed basmati rice.

Koshimbir: A Maharashtrian Salad

Ingredients:
For approx. 4 servings
English cucumber – 1 Peeled
Tomato – 1
Sweet onion - 1
Green chili – 1 tsp finely chopped [OPTIONAL]
Fresh Cilantro – ½ cup finely chopped
Freshly ground black pepper – 1 tsp
Sugar – 1 tsp
Fresh lime juice – 1 tbsp
Chaat masala -  1 tsp
salt as per taste

Method:

• Cut cucumber, onions and tomatoes in small cubes. Keep aside.
• In a bowl, add all the cut vegetables, green chilies, black pepper, sugar, chaat masala, lime juice and salt.
• Mix well and let it refrigerate till chilled.
• Add fresh chopped cilantro, mix again and serve.

Enjoy this tangy salad with lunch or dinner.

Healthy Strawberry Shake

Ingredients:  Approx. 2 servings

• Fresh Strawberries - 8 cleaned and cut into halves
• Milk (low fat) - 2 cups
• Fat free Vanilla Ice cream - 1 scoop
• Honey - 1 tsp

For Garnish:

• Whipped cream
• Maraschino cherries - 2

Method:
In a blender, add cut strawberries, milk, ice cream, honey and Ice. Blend for a minute. Pour in tall glasses and garnish with whipped cream and cherries.
Enjoy your healthy yummy shake.

Note: You can add any protein mix of your choice to make it a meal.

Sweet Saffron Rice

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!

Sweet saffron rice can be prepared as an offering to Lord Ganesh. It needs few ingredients, usually available in your pantry. Enjoy this simple yet flavorful recipe to start the festivities.

Ingredients:

• Basmati Rice - 1 cup
• Ghee (clarified butter) - 2 tbsp
• Sugar - 1/2 cup
• Saffron - 12 strands
• Cloves - 4
• Cinnamon stick - 1
• Black pepper corn - 4
• Cardamom Powder - 1 tsp
• Raisins - 1/4 cup
• Almonds - 1/4 cup (or any nuts of your choice)

Method:

1. Wash and soak rice in water for an hour.
2. Soak saffron strands in 2 tbsp milk in a bowl. Keep aside for 10 minutes.
3. In a pan, heat ghee on medium low flame. Add cloves, cinnamon, cardamom powder, black pepper corns. Sauté for 2 minutes.
4. Add raisins and almonds to it. Sauté for 2 more minutes. Keep aside.
5. In a large vessel, boil rice in 3 cups of water till almost done. Add 1 tbsp ghee to prevent rice from sticking together. Drain off the excess water and spread the rice to cool down.
6. Add the above spice mix to the cooked rice. Also add sugar and dissolved saffron. Mix gently.
7. Cover it and cook on low flame for 10 minutes. Saffron rice is ready to be served.

Garnish:
Garnish sweet saffron rice with sliced almonds and saffron strands. Enjoy as dessert after a meal.