Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer is a popular vegetarian dish made out of Spinach and Paneer (Indian Farmer's Cheese).This is really easy to make and is extremely tasty when served with Rice, Naan or Roti :)

Time:Making Time (20 mins)

Difficulty level:Easy

Ingredients:

• Fresh Spinach Leaves - 1 bunch
• Paneer cubes - 1 cup
• Green peas - 1 cup (Optional)
• Onions - 1 medium sized 
• Tomatoes - 2 medium sized
• Ginger,Garlic chopped (or Paste) - 1 tsp 
• Green Chilli - 3
• Garam Masala - 1 tsp (Optional)
• Salt to taste
• Jeera(Cumin) seeds - 1 tsp
• Oil/Butter - 4 tbsp
• Turmeric Powder - a pinch
• Fresh Cream - 1 tbsp (Optional)

Preparation:

1. In a pan, add 1 tbsp Butter/Oil and saute the Paneer cubes till they turn golden brown.Keep aside.
2. Boil the Palak separately, drain the water and keep aside.
3. In a pan, add 1 tbsp of Oil, add the Ginger-Garlic,Green chillies,chopped Onions,Tomatoes and saute for a few mins.
4. Allow it to cool and grind the above ingredients along with the boiled palak into a fine paste by adding enough water. (vary water as per the desired consistency)
5. Now add 2 tbsp of Butter/Oil, add Jeera(Cumin) seeds to it and allow it to splutter.
6. To this, add the ground paste and allow it to cook till the raw smell disappears.
7. Add the Green Peas,a little of Garam masala powder to it and enough salt to taste.
8. Allow it to simmer until the Grean peas is cooked.
9. Now add the fried Paneer Pieces and cook till they become soft.
10. Garnish it with little fresh cream on top
11. Serve with Hot Rice or Roti

Chef's Tip - If you don't have Fresh cream, you can also add 2 tsp of curd to the recipe to give a good consistency and richness to the taste. This is optional. It tastes good enough without the Curd/Cream

Aloo Poha (aka Aval Upma)

Aval(Poha in Hindi) is nothing but Rice flakes.This dish is very easy and simple to make. My mom had made it once for an evening tiffin and i have loved this dish ever since.You can make variations to this recipe...using Tomatoes,Tamarind etc

Time:Making Time (15 mins)

Difficulty level:  Easy

Ingredients:

• Chopped Potatoes - 1 medium sized
• Onions - 1 finely chopped
• Green peas - 1/2 cup
• Rice Flakes - 2 cups 
• Green Chillies - 3-4
• Ginger - finely chopped
• Oil - 2 tbsp
• Turmeric Powder -  a pinch
• Cumin seeds(Jeera) - 1 tsp
• Mustard seeds - for tempering
• Curry Leaves - 8-10
• Coriander Leaves for garnish
• Salt to taste

Preparation:

1. In a vessel,add oil, when heated add the Mustard seeds, Jeera seeds,Green Chillies,chopped ginger,curry leaves,a pinch of Turmeric powder and allow it to splutter.
2. Add the chopped Onions to this and allow it to cook for sometime till it turns light pink. 
3. Now add the Chopped potatoes and Green peas and simmer until the potato gets cooked.
4. Soak Poha in water for 1-2 mins, wash and drain all the water completely.
   Then add the Poha to the above mixture,salt to taste and mix well to cook for few mins.
5. Top it with a dash of Lemon Juice and Garnish with Coriander leaves and Serve hot as a healthy,tasty tiffin :)

Variations -

You can use Tomatoes to make Tomato Poha or Use the Puliogare powder to make Tamarind Poha as well