Whenever I find a recipe that tastes great and is quick and easy to make , I go for it . My family is crazy for paneer , an Indian cheese , closest in taste to ricotta , but much firmer and left to drain till it forms firmly into a cheese . Typically it is then cut and deep or shallow fried for a crusty exterior and a hot tender inside . The only real change I made to this recipe is the addition of some red food color and I omitted the green peppers , as I prefer the paneer without it .
Serves 4
Photograph by Rahul Mahtani
1 lb paneer ( available from Indian markets )
2 medium green bell peppers , cut into 1 inch pieces
3 tbs oil
1 tsp chaat masala
MARINADE
1/2 cup thickened yoghurt ( I use Greek yoghurt )
1 tsp each ginger and garlic paste
1/2 tsp red chili powder
a pinch of turmeric powder
1/2 tsp garam masala powder
2 to 3 tbs heavy cream
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
salt to taste
1/4 tsp red food color ( optional)
Cut paneer into 1 1/2 inch squares with half inch thickness .
Mix together all the ingredients of the marinade and marinade the paneer cubes in it for about 15 minutes . Heat oil in a saute pan, place in paneer cubes and fry till golden and crisp on the surface . Drain on absorbant paper .
Toss the bell peppers in the remaining marinade and saute them in the remaining oil in the pan for 2 to 3 minutes . Place a pepper piece on each paneer cube and pierce with a toothpick . sprinkle chaat masala and serve hot.
Filed under: Appetizers, Indian, Vegetarian | Tagged: Indian cheese, Indian paneer tikka, Indian vegetarian, quick and easy Indian, quick paneer tikka, sanjeev kapoor | 1 Comment »
