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Delicious Paalak Paneer, Mixed Vegetables Curries and Naan

On Tuesday  we decided to do our shopping at Supper U in the nearby city. All the household tasks were quickly executed and we headed towards our destination. After a quick round through the shops in the mall we did our shopping in the supermarket. It is always a pleasure to shop for groceries in hypermarkets as there are varieties of articles , clothes, food etc.  In the refrigerated area after buying meat and fish , I saw paneer ( cottage cheese ), in blocks and in cubes. I could not resist, so I took one block.
The day after was market day, and I went to buy vegetables. When I saw spinach, I immediately decided to make paalak paneer for dinner. So I bought two bunches. I made naan and  a mixed vegetables curry and I made pickle with green chillies and tamarind. I thought I would make a vegetarian menu as I am fed up  of  the  same dish with chicken etc.


Paalak paneer
Ingredients:
200 gm paneer(cottage cheese), cubed
1 bunch spinach
1 onion chopped
2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
1 tbsp coriander seeds powder
1/2 tsp fenugreek  seeds
1 green chilli chopped
4 tbsp cream
1 tsp butter
1 tsp curry powder
1 tomato chopped
 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
4 curry leaves or 1 bay leaf
2 tbsp oil
salt
1/2 tsp garam massala powder

Method
Boil water in a pan, switch off fire,  add spinach leaves,  cover with lid for 5 minutes. Drain and put in ice cold water to retain the green colour. Drain then puree.
Heat oil in a pan,  add cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds,  curry or  bay leaves, onion and green chilli. Cook 2-3 minutes then add ginger and garlic paste, cook 3 minutes then add tomato.  Add 2-3 tbsp of water, keep stirring and cook till soft then add curry powder, adding very little water if needed. Add the spinach puree and simmer 6-7 minutes. Add the paneer cubes, salt and garam massala. Add very little water if needed,  stir and cook till the paneer is soft. Add cream and butter, simmer for 1 minute.


Mixed vegetable curry
Ingredients:
2 carrots cubed
 1 eggplant cubed
1 potato cubed
1 chouchou( christophine) cubed
1/2 cup peas
 1 onion chopped
1 tsp tandoori massala
1 tsp curry powder
2 tbsp ginger and garlic paste
3 tbsp oil
2 tbsp tomato puree
1 tomato chopped
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
 salt
1/2 tsp sugar
2 tbsp yogurt
Chopped coriander leaves


Method:
Heat a pan, add oil. Add the cumin seeds, chopped onion, cook 2 minutes then add ginger and garlic paste. Cook and keep stirring adding very little water then add curry powder and tandoori massala. Add the tomato chilli powder and salt. Add very little water and cook till tomato is soft. Add all the chopped vegetables, add about 1/ cup water. When it start to boil cover and cook till  the vegetables are almost cooked. Then add the tomato puree and yogurt, stirring quickly for the yogurt to mix well in the curry,Adjust salt and add sugar, cook further, till vegetables are done adding water if needed. Add coriander leaves and switch off  heat.

Naan
Ingredients:
3 cups flour
1.5 tsp baking powder
1 pinch of baking soda
salt
 3 tbs yogurt
1 tsp sugar
11/2 cup milk
 1tbsp garlic paste
3 tbsp oil

Method:
Mix milk yogurt sugar. Sieve flour with salt baking powder and baking soda. Add milk mixture to the flour and garlic. Knead to form a smooth dough. If dry add more milk and knead again. cover and leave for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes add oil and knead again. Cover and leave for 1-2 hours. Make  medium size balls. Roll out  into thin circle or an elongated shape. Heat a griddle and cook on both sides by applying oil on  the naan. Cook until golden brown.
Serve with curries , pickles and salad.

Green chilli pickle with tamarind

Ingredients:
 125 gm green chilli
1/2 packet tamarind
6 cloves of garlic
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds salt
oil as needed

Method:
Put everything except tamarind in a blender and grind to a paste. Put the paste in a bowl ,then add the tamarind and mix well . Adjust salt.


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