Home made paneer, paneer curry, garlic cumin naan and mint raita

Serves 3

I am loosing my appetite so much that I cook what my husband and daughter like but ending up eating only fruit or some Kellog’s cereal for dinner. This has got to change. So, I decided to make meals that I really love so much from my favorite restaurants. It does take some time and effort to make but it was worth it.

This time it was from my favorite Indian restaurant set menu. Yes, paneer curry, mint raita and some innovative naan bread. I loved it so much that it was available in my wedding buffet.

I did adapt recipes from here and there but the taste was a hit.

Naan
2 tbs warm water
1 tsp sugar
1 package yeast
¼ cup warm milk
¼ cup yoghurt
4 tbs butter
4 cups flour
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cumin powder

How to prepare:
-add the warm water, sugar and yeast in a small cup and let the yeast bring to foam
-place the milk and butter in a cup and warm in in the microwave
-in a big bowl add the flour, salt, baking powder, garlic powder and cumin powder, mix well
-add the yoghurt, milk and butter little by little, keep kneeding
-add the yeast little by little and keep kneeding for 15-30 minutes
-make a ball and set aside cover in damp cloth for 30 minutes
-heat oven
-sprinkle some flour in a place, take a ball size dough and roll it flat
-bake in medium-high heat each side for 5-7 minutes

Home made paneer
I have made paneer a few times at home using vinegar and lemon juice. The best result is with lemon juice. The next lesson is, if you can get fresh cow milk from the farm, then I suggest that you get it from them as there are still a lot of buttermilk inside.

Ingredients:
1 lt milk
1 lemon (take the juice only)

How to prepare:
-boil the milk with the lemon juice and stir gently with a wooden spoon until the strain separates from the water
-prepare a bowl and place a large kitchen cloth over it
-scoop the milk strain and place it on the kitchen cloth
-cover and twist the kitchen cloth, tie a knot  and hang it somewhere for one day
-open the knot and cut it into pieces

Paneer Curry
I like my fave restaurant tomato paneer, but this time I wanted to try Kolpona’s Kitchen Curry Paneer. It tasted great and was a good companion with my naan and raita.

Ingredients:
2 cups paneer
1 cup boiled potatoes/boiled eggs
1 small onion
3 garlics
2 ginger
1 small tomatoes
1 bay leaves
½ tsp clove powder
5 cardomom
1 tsp cinnamon powder
½ tsp tumeric powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1 ½ cup yoghurt
2 tsp tomato paste

How to prepare:
-dice the potatoes, onion, garlic, tomato,set aside
-grate the ginger, set aside
-saute the onion, garlic until fragant
-add the bay leaves, grated ginger, cardamom, cinnamon powder, tumeric powder,cumin, coriander
-add the tomato paste and diced tomatoes and saute until the tomatoes becomes pasty
-add the yoghurt
-add the paneer and potatoes/eggs

Mint Raita

My mint plant grew wildly and it would be a good idea to harvest it. It tasted great, the same mint that I used to have from my neighbors back yard. They like to make it as tea.
-1/3 cup chopped fresh mint
-1/3 cup chopped sweet onions
-1 ½ cup yoghurt
-1 tsp paprika
-3/4 tsp salt
-1 tsp sugar
-a dash of pepper

How to prepare:
-add all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well
-place in the refrigerator