KADAI PANEER

Cottage cheese cooked in spicy kadai masala  Preparation Time : 25-30 minutes Cooking Time : 12-15 minutes Servings : 4

INGREDIENTS Cottage cheese (paneer) 1 inch triangles 500 grams Oil 3 tablespoons Whole dry red chillies, broken 2 Cloves 2 Coriander seeds, crushed 2 tablespoons Onion , sliced 2 medium Cinnamon one inch sticks 2 Bay leaves 2 Garlic paste 2 teaspoons Ginger paste 2 teaspoons Red chilli powder 2 teaspoons Tomatoes, chopped 5-6 medium Salt to taste Fresh coriander leaves, chopped 2 tablespoons

METHOD Heat oil in a kadai, add broken red chillies, cloves, crushed coriander seeds and onions and sauté for two minutes. Add cinnamon and bay leaves and stir. Add garlic paste, ginger paste and red chilli powder and stir. Continue to sauté for two minutes. Add tomatoes and salt and sauté till the tomatoes become soft. Add paneer and stir gently. Cook on low heat till the paneer is heated through. Garnish with coriander leaves, toss and serve.

ALOO CHAAT

Crisp fried potatoes tossed with spicy masala  Preparation Time : 10-15 minutes Cooking Time : 10-15 minutes Servings : 4

INGREDIENTS Potatoes, cubed 1/2 inch 3 large Lemon juice 3 teaspoons Salt to taste Ginger, cut into thin strips 1 inch piece Oil to deep fry Onion , chopped 1 large Chaat masala 1/2 teaspoon Red chilli powder 1/2 teaspoon Cumin powder 1/4 teaspoon Green chillies, chopped 2 Fresh coriander leaves, chopped 3 tablespoons

METHOD Add one teaspoon lemon juice and a pinch of salt to the ginger strips and keep in the refrigerator till use.Heat sufficient oil in a kadai till medium hot. Add potato pieces and deep fry till crisp and golden. Drain and place on an absorbent paper. Transfer the potatoes into a big bowl. Add onions, salt, chaat masala, red chilli powder, cumin powder, green chilies, coriander leaves and the remaining lemon juice and mix well. To serve transfer the mixture into a serving bowl, garnish with ginger strips and serve immediately.

CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM

An irresistible chocolaty ice cream.

Preparation Time : 2-3 hours

Cooking Time : 30-35 minutes

Servings : 4

INGREDIENTS Dark chocolate, grated 1 cup Milk 2 1/2 cups Sugar 1/3 cup Cornflour/ corn starch 1 tablespoon Fresh cream 1/2 cup Vanilla essence a few drops

METHOD Heat half cup milk in a non-stick pan. Add grated chocolate and simmer, stirring, till smooth. Boil the remaining milk with sugar in another non-stick pan. Mix cornflour in two tablespoons of water and add to the milk and simmer for two to three minutes. Add chocolate mixture and mix well. Remove and cool completely. Add fresh cream and vanilla essence and mix well. Pour into a shallow container and set till firm. Blend in a blender till smooth and thick. Transfer into the shallow container. Cover and freeze till set. Scoop and serve.

SHAHI PANEER

Paneer lovers will make a beeline for this dish so make sure you have sufficient quantities tucked away in the kitchen. Tastes great the following day too!

Preparation Time : 10-15 minutes

Cooking Time : 20-25 minutes

Servings : 4

INGREDIENTS Cottage cheese (paneer) 400 grams Onion , quartered 2 large Oil 2 tablespoons Cloves 3 Black peppercorns 4-5 Cinnamon 2 one inch sticks Bay leaf 1 Green chillies, slit 2 Ginger paste 1 teaspoon Garlic paste 1 teaspoon Cashewnut paste 1/4 cup Yogurt 1/2 cup Cream 1/2 cup Saffron (kesar) a pinch Garam masala powder 1/2 teaspoon Salt to taste Green cardamom powder 1/4 teaspoon

METHOD Cut the paneer into half inch wide and one inch long pieces. Boil the onions in quarter cup of water. Drain and allow to cool. Grind to a fine paste. Heat the oil in a kadai, add the cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon and bay leaf and sauté till fragrant. Add the green chillies and boiled onion paste and sauté for three to four minutes on low heat so it does not get coloured. Add the ginger paste and garlic paste and continue to sauté for half a minute. Add the cashewnut paste and sauté for another two minutes. Add the yogurt and sauté till the water from the yogurt gets absorbed. Stir in the cream, saffron and garam masala powder and salt to taste. Add the paneer and stir gently to mix. Sprinkle green cardamom powder and serve hot.