Methi Paneer Masala

The other day when I went to the Indian store there were by=unches of fresh fenugreek leaves bunches. They were so fresh…I had to get them. And ofcourse once you get them you have to use them otherwise its just compost filler. So I made this methi paneer masala which was a super duper hit. Here is the recipe.

Methi Paneer Masala

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup packed fresh fenugreek leaves
2. About 250 gms paneer cubed
3. 1 medium small onion chopped
4. 1 large or 2 medium tomatoes chopped
5. ½ cup milk
6. ½ cup water
7. 2 tablespoons oil
8. 1 inch ginger + 2 large garlic pods
9. ½ teaspoon each of salt, chilli powder, turmeric, cumin powder
10. 1 teaspoon coriander powder

In a pan add 1 tablespoon oil and fry the paneer pieces till they become light brown. Drain and set aside. In the same pan add the onions and chopped ginger and garlic and fry till the onions start getting browned. Add the tomatoes and cook for 5 more minutes. Let it cool. Grind to a smooth paste.

In the same pan add the remaining oil and add the methi leaves and fyr for 5 minutes. Add the paste back to the pot and cook for 5 minutes. Add the paneer and milk and water with all the spices and mix well. Simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with naan

Achari paneer with zeera rice

The other day I was searching for recipes online and you know the google autofill suggested Achari Paneer. And since I already had store bought Paneer on hand I decided to make it. And for the main course I made zeera rice and the combination was D-Vine. So here is the recipe for your palatable pleasure

Achari paneer (cottage cheese in Indian pickling spices)

Achari Paneer

Achar spice mix

Ingredients
1. 2 cups 1/2 inch cubes of paneer
2. 1/4- 1/3 cup of plain yogurt
3. 1/2- 3/4 teaspoon salt
4. 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
5. 1 tablespoon oil
6. 2 tablespoons tomato sauce ( 1 tablespoon tomato paste)
7. 1/2 cup chopped onions

For roasting
1. 3/4 teaspoon each of nigella seeds ( kalongi ) , fennel seeds
2. 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seed ( methi), black pepper
3. 1 tablespoon coriander seeds or powder
4. 2 dried red chillies

Dry roast the ingredients in the roasting and let them cool. Grind to a coarse paste.
Mix the yogurt, salt, turmeric and paneer and set aside.
In a pan heat the oil and fry the onions on medium heat till they start changing color. Add the spice powder and fry for couple of minutes. Add paneer and fry for few minutes. Add tomato and cook on low flame for 5-7 minutes. Add some water if it becomes too dry. Enjoy with jeera/zeera rice