Paneer Desi Delight

This was a fairly simple dish meant for the kids. Dice one fresh paneer into quarters and then leave them aside on the chopping board. Next comes the bell peppers and you can take any variety. I took the yellow ones and chopped them quite roughly. In my preparation I used a yellow bell pepper and please use whatever is available. The next step is to puree half of one small onion, half of a full tomato and a slice of ginger too Separately also puree a handful of cashews. Keep aside salt for seasoning. Also add peas to this, a handful is enough.

Now as the cooking process begins, warm some ghee also known as clarified butter on a wok and as it warms enough tip in all the paneer slices evenly into the pan and let it cook through till about golden brown. Add very sparingly a little pinch of turmeric, salt and red chili powder from the top. Take them out of the oil and leave them all aside. Next tip in the bell pepper pieces and fry them well fora couple of minutes or so and take them off the pan as well.

In the same wok let about two tablespoons of oil be warmed and after a few seconds it is good to increase the flame. The first thing that goes into the curry is the onion ginger and tomato paste. Fry them very well in the oil and let them all be mixed and become homogenous. Put the lid on for a few seconds and reduce the flame. Let it cook evenly. Once that is done come back to it and stir it all up with a spatula. As the aroma starts oozing out it is a good time to tip in the rest of the spices. For this we need, one teaspoon of all the spices as mentioned here. Dried red chili, turmeric, coriander and cumin powder. All mixed up with a little dash of water and salt. Stir occasionally and now let it simmer for a few minutes. Add in the veggies; the peas and bell peppers as mentioned before and cook them all thoroughly and as it starts to release its own distinct aroma turn the gas to medium and let it be cooked in its own juices and keep the lid on for some more time. Add some salt at this time a

s per taste and all of the cashew nut paste. Stir it all up. Time to tip in paneer too also known as cottage cheese. Fold them well me for a few additional minutes for about three odd minutes or so and then add some ready to use premade garam masala spice mixture, little from the top and some cream too. Let it all be mixed well and then turn off the gas. Enjoy the same with fresh Indian handmade naans, breads or chapatis. Time to relish this beautiful dish with all.