Thursday, January 20, 2011

Paneer Methi Matar Malai and Til Wale Baingan


I have been in an extremely creative mode with cooking lately and these two dishes were what I conjured up for dinner in 30 mins. The recipe for Paneer Methi Matar Malai was based on numerous recipes online that I modified to be healthier and the baingan was a healthier version of Begun Bhaja with sesame. Both were unique in flavors and yummy with the rotis.


Recipe for Paneer Methi Matar Malai:I read several recipes for methi matar malai which called for cream. I just used low fat milk instead and some flour paste for thickening and it works just as well.

Ingredients:
  1. Oil - 1 tsp
  2. Cinnamon - 1 inch piece
  3. Cloves - 2
  4. Cardamom - 2
  5. Green chilli - 1, finely chopped
  6. White onion - 1, finely chopped
  7. Ginger paste - 1 tsp
  8. Garlic paste - 1 tsp
  9. Frozen methi - 1 block/cube
  10. Frozen peas - 1 cup
  11. Milk - 1 cup
  12. Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
  13. Jeera dhania powder - 1/2 tsp
  14. Garam masala - 1 pinch
  15. Sugar - 1/2 tsp
  16. Salt
  17. Paneer - 10 small cubes, deep fried, pan friend or fresh
  18. All purpose flour or maida - 1 tsp, mix in water to make a paste
Directions:
  1. Heat oil in a skillet and add the cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and green chilli. Roast until you can smell the spices.
  2. Add finely chopped onions and saute until well done and slightly browned.
  3. Add ginger paste and garlic paste and saute until the paste is well mixed into the onions and well cooked.
  4. Thaw the methi, microwave for 2 minutes and then add to the onions.
  5. Mix and cook for 10 minutes until the methi is thoroughly cooked.
  6. Add the salt, red chilli powder, jeera dhania powder, garam masala and mix well.
  7. Add the peas, milk, sugar and flour paste and bring the liquid to a boil.
  8. Add paneer at the end and heat till it softens.

Recipe for Til Wale Baingan: Brinjals usually absorb a lot of oil. The key to this recipe is to use very little oil and cook it in a non stick skillet with a lid so that the brinjals are well done.

Ingredients:
  1. Brinjals - 6/7 small ones, cut into discs
  2. Red chilli powder - 1 tsp
  3. Turmeric - 1 1/2 tsp (yes thats a lot but it adds to the flavor)
  4. Ginger paste - 1 tsp
  5. Garlic paste - 1 tsp
  6. Til/Sesame seeds - 1/2 cup
  7. Salt
  8. Corriander - handful, finely chopped
  9. Lemon juice - 1 tsp
  10. Oil - 1 tsp
  11. Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
  12. Jeera - 1 tsp
  13. Hing - 1/4 tsp
Directions:
  1. Heat the oil in a skillet and add mustard seeds, jeera and hing.
  2. Once the mustard seeds sputter, add the brinjal slices, salt, red chilli powder, turmeric, ginger paste, garlic paste and mix them all together.
  3. Cook on high flame for 5 minutes until the brinjal start roasting and then top with a lid. Allow the brinjals to cook well and become soft.
  4. Toast the sesame seeds in a pan until golden brown.
  5. Once the brinjals cook thoroughly, add the sesame seeds, corriander and lemon juice and mix together.



3 comments:

Vinitha said...

very cool..another methi recipe, will have to try this one... :)

Smita said...

Thanks Vinitha....Yeah definitely worth trying....Its a little on the sweeter and creamier side....

Nupur said...

Two fabulous "party" dishes in 30 minutes- kudos to you! Both look amazing and I'm bookmarking this post.