Kadai Vegetable

Kadai vegetable, a very easy dish and can be prepared in few mins, also a very healthy dish for weight watchers :)

For grinding

- 1 medium sized tomato

- 1 medium sized onion

- 2 green chillies

- 1 inch ginger

- 1 clove of Garlic (Optional or you can add even more. I limited to one as I don't like garlic and also it would dominate the aroma of other vegetables)

- 1 cinnamon stick

- 1 cardamom

- 1 clove

- 1 tsp cumin seeds

- 1 tsp fennel seeds (சோம்பு)

- 2 tsp oil

Gravy

- 1 bay leaf

- 1 tsp cumin powder

- 1/2 tsp red chilli powder (optional)

- 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)

- You can add any vegetables for this dish. Here I have added, cauliflower, potato, peas, baby corn,      carrot, green capsicum and paneer. 

Method

1) In a non-stick pan, add 2 tsp oil. To this add cumin seeds, fennel seeds, cardamom, clove and cinnamon.

 2) Add onion, garlic, ginger and green chillies. Fry until onion turns translucent.

 3) Add the tomatoes and fry until tomatoes become mushy. Keep aside and grind after the mixture cools   down completely.

4) Wipe the same pan with a dry tissue and add 1-1/2 tsp oil. Add bay leaf and paneer, fry until golden brown. Paneer is optional. I like paneer and so I have added. 

5) Add all the veggies, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 cup of warm water. Toss the vegetables until soft but firm. Keep aside the veggies. You can also add onion, but I avoided as I don like onion much!

 I love this pic, perfect timing! Hoping to improve my photography skills. Suggestions are welcome :)

6) In the same pan, add 1 tsp oil. Once the oil is heat, add the grounded mixture, cumin powder, paprika and red chilli powder. Fry until oil seperates from the mixture.

7) Now add all the veggies and required salt. Cook in simmer for 5-7 mins. 

Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with Chapatis

Paneer Tikka Masala

Hi all! Today I tried Paneer Tikka Masala and it turned out so well. I referred to Manjula's Kitchen. She has lot of easy recipes, and her recipes are "Satvika" (without onions and garlic).

For Marinating:
- 1/2 pound of paneer
- 1 tbsp curd
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1/4 tsp chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp coriander powder
- 1/4 tsp salt

For Gravy:
- 3 medium tomatoes
- 2 green chillies
- 1tsp cumin seeds or jeera
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1tsp coriander powder
- 1tsp Paprika
- 2 bay leaves
- a pinch of hing
- salt to taste
- coriander leaves
- 2 tsp corn starch
- 1/4 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp sugar (optional)
- 1 tbsp oil

Method:
1) Cut the paneer as shown in pic below, about 1 inch squares

2) In a bowl, add all the ingredients under "For Marinating" and mix well. Keep the mixture in refrigerator for about an hour.

3) In a frying pan, add 1 tbsp oil and spread the paneer (after marinating) as shown below. Let it cook on both sides for about 2 mins or until it becomes brownish. Take out the paneer and keep it in a seperate dish.

4) Blend the tomatoes and chillies, to make a puree
5) In the same frying pan, add 1 tbsp oil. Once the oil is heat, add cumin seeds, hing and bay leaves

6) Now add the puree, coriander powder, salr, turmeric powder, parpika, sugar and cook for 5 mins in medium heat

7) Dissolve corn starch in 1 1/2 tsp of water and add to the mixture. Stir for about 2 mins.

8) To this mixture, add the fried paneer and let it cook for another 5 mins.

9) Turn off the heat, add garam masala and cilantro.

Serve with chapathis or rice.