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

Rajma masala

Rajma masala is a very easy and delicious gravy that is made with Red Kidney beans.This recipe of my mom's is a favorite amongst my friends. Jeera rice is undoubtedly the best combination with Rajma and is also referred as Rajma Chawal :) 

Time:Making Time (20 mins)

Difficulty level:Easy

Ingredients:

• Rajma (Red Kidney Beans) - 1 medium sized cup
• Onions - 1 small chopped
• Tomatoes - 3-4 medium sized
• Ginger,Garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Garam Masala / Channa Masala Powder - 2 tsp
• Red Chilli Powder - 2 tsp
• Jeera Powder - 2 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Coriander to garnish
• Jeera(Cumin) seeds - 1 tsp
• Oil/Butter - 4 tbsp
• Turmeric Powder - a pinch

Preparation:

1. Soak Rajma in water for a couple of hours
2. Pressure cook with a little salt until the Rajma becomes tender. (Don't overcook as it tends to get mashed)
3. Grind the tomatoes,few strands of Coriander leaves along with 8-10 pieces of cooked Rajma beans.
4. In a pan, add 2 tbsp Butter/Oil, Jeera(Cumin) seeds and saute for a min. Now add the ginger-garlic paste and saute the onions on medium heat until it turns golden brown. ( The oil should start separating from the mixture)
5. Add the ground tomato puree,all the masala powders to it and enough salt to taste. Adjust the water according to the desired consistency.
6. Add the cooked Rajma. Stir well and and allow it to cook for 10 mins
7. Garnish it with Coriander leaves. 
8. Serve with Jeera Rice or Roti or Poori :)

Chef's Tip - I add few Rajma beans while making the paste as it gives a good consistency and richness to the taste. This is optional. 

Aloo Saag

Aloo Saag has always been one of my favorites.I remember eating this recipe at a very few outlets in Chennai.I learnt this to make this recipe from a relative of mine.I love the flavor of Ajwain in this along Coriander and lemon. This recipe is the best when eaten with Poori. :)

Time:Making Time (30 mins)

Difficulty level:Medium

Ingredients:

• 2-3 Medium sized Potatoes
• 2 Medium sized Tomatoes,finely chopped
• 1 Big Onion,finely chopped
• 3-4 tbsp Besan (Channa Dal Flour)
• 3-4 Green Chilies (slit)
• 1/2" Ginger,finely chopped 
• 1/2 tsp Garam Masala
• 1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp Jeera(Cumin) Seeds
• 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 1/2 tsp Split Urad Dal
• 1/2 tsp Ajwain (Oregano) seeds
• Asafoetida, a pinch
• 3 tsp Oil
• Finely chopped Coriander leaves for garnish
• Curry Leaves - 4 to 5
• Lemon - 1
• Salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Boil the Potatoes , Peel the skin and mash them.
2. In a kadai, heat 3 tsp of Oil, Add Mustard seeds and allow it to splutter.
3. Now add Chopped green chilies, Asafoetida,Curry Leaves,Urad Dal, Ajwain and Jeera in that order.To this add the chopped onions ,  turmeric powder and Garlic paste(optional). Fry till the Onions are golden brown in color.
4. To this add the chopped tomatoes and a little salt and allow it to cook.
5. Now add the mashed potatoes and mix well.
6. In a cup of water, add the besan flour and mix well to remove lumps.Add this to the mixture in the kadai and stir continuously to avoid lumps.
7. Add the Red Chilli powder and Garam masala powder to this mixture and allow it to boil. Add more water if the saag is too thick.
8. Once the dal is cooked, add the garam masala,chilli powder and salt to taste.You can alter the consistency of the Dal by adding water.
9. Allow the saag to boil well until the raw smell of besan flour disappears.Adjust salt accordingly.
10. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and top it up with a dash of lemon.Serve Hot with Pooris

Chef's Tip - Make sure to add Ajwain in this recipe, which adds a unique flavour.

Channa Masala (Chickpeas Masala)

This recipe mainly consists of Chick Peas(Kabuli Chana), is healthy and also easy to cook.This can be served with plain Basmati Rice,Poori or Roti :)

Time:Making Time (20 mins)

Difficulty level:Easy

Ingredients:

• Chickpeas (Kabuli Chana) - 1 medium sized cup
• Onions - 2 medium sized
• Tomatoes - 3-4 medium sized
• Ginger,Garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Green Chilli - 3-4
• Garam Masala / Channa Masala Powder - 2 tsp
• Red Chilli Powder - 2 tsp
• Jeera Powder - 2 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Coriander to garnish
• Jeera(Cumin) seeds - 1 tsp
• Oil/Butter - 4 tbsp
• Turmeric Powder - a pinch

Preparation:

1. Soak Chickpeas in water overnight.
2. Pressure cook with a little salt until the Chickpeas becomes tender. (Don't overcook as it tends to get mashed)
3. Cut onion,tomatoes and green chilli. Grind it in a mixie along with ginger,garlic,few strands of Coriander leaves and 8-10 Chickpeas.
4. In a pan, add 2 tbsp Butter/Oil, Jeera(Cumin) seeds and saute for a min. Now add the paste and saute on medium heat until it turns golden brown. ( The oil should start separating from the mixture)
5. Now add all the masala powders to it and enough salt to taste. Add enough water to make the gravy.
6. Allow it to simmer until the gravy is cooked.
7. Add the cooked Chickpeas. Stir well and cook over medium heat for 5-7 mins.
8. Garnish it with Coriander leaves.
9. Serve with Rice or Roti or Poori :)

Chef's Tip - I add few chickpeas while making the paste as it gives a good consistency and richness to the taste. This is optional. 

Mutter Paneer

Green Peas is something thats healthy and also easy to cook.This recipe - Mutter Paneer is a delicious curry of Peas and Paneer.This is really easy to make and is extremely tasty when served with Rice or Roti :)

Time:Making Time (20 mins)

Difficulty level:Easy

Ingredients:

• Green Peas - 1 cup
• Paneer cubes - 1 cup
• Onions - 2 medium sized
• Tomatoes - 3-4 medium sized
• Ginger,Garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Green Chilli - 3-4
• Garam Masala - 2 tsp
• Red Chilli Powder - 2 tsp
• Jeera Powder - 2 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Coriander to garnish
• Jeera(Cumin) seeds - 1 tsp
• Oil/Butter - 4 tbsp
• Turmeric Powder - a pinch
• Curd - 2 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. Now add the Ginger-Garlic paste,Green chillies,chopped Onions,Tomatoes and saute.
3. Allow it to cool and grind the above ingredients into a fine paste by adding enough water.
4. Now add 2 tbsp of Butter/Oil, add Jeera(Cumin) seeds to it and allow it to splutter.
5. To this, add the ground paste and allow it to cook with enough water.(based on the desired consistency)
6. Add the Green Peas,all the masala powders to it and enough salt to taste.To this add 2 tbspn of beaten curd (Optional).
7. Allow it to simmer until the Grean peas is cooked.
8. Now add the fried Paneer Pieces and cook till they become soft.
9. Garnish it with Coriander leaves.
10. Serve with Rice or Roti

Alternate Method -
I like the curry to be a smooth gravy,hence i grind the Onions and Tomatoes together into a fine paste.
If you dont want to grind them, just saute the ingredients together and add the masala powders to it and allow it to cook with the required amount of water.

Chef's Tip - I add the curd to the recipe to give a good consistency and richness to the taste. This is optional. It tastes good enough without the Curd.

Mixed Vegetable Subzi

Most of us are choosy about the veggies we eat.This recipe is a quick one that can be made with mixed vegetables and also ends up being colorful n tasty :)
This goes great with Rice or even Rotis.

Time:Making Time (20 mins)

Difficulty level:Easy

Ingredients:

• Mixed Vegetables - 2 cups ( Carrots,Peas,Cauliflower,Potatoes,Beans and Onions)
• Garam Masala - 1 tsp
• Red Chilli Powder -1 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Curry leaves and Coriander to garnish
• Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Jeera(Cumin) seeds - 1 tsp
• Oil - 2 tbsp
• Turmeric Podwer - a pinch

Preparation:

1. In a pan, add 2 tbsp oil,Mustard and Jeera seeds and allow it to splutter.
2. Now add 2 cups of vegetables,turmeric powder,chilli powder and garam masala powder to it.
3. Add enough to salt to taste
4. Sprinkle some water on it and simmer to cook.Once the vegetables are cooked well, garnish it with Coriander and Curry leaves.
5. Serve with Rice or Roti

    Optional - To make this as a gravy, add 2 cups of water while cooking.