Kadai Paneer

  If you want a simple , fast and yet delicious side dish then here is the recipe of Kadai Paneer . Its best accompanied with rotis but tastes amazing with rice too . Kids will love it as its colorful and something different in their lunch box .

Ingredients :

1. Paneer (I used 1 packet of Amul's Frozen Malai Paneer )
2. Capsicum/ Green pepper - 1 medium sized (Cut into little squares)
3. Onion - 1 .  diced (Not too chunky,chopped similar to the capsicums size)
4. Tomato -1  Chopped 
5. 1 green Chilly 
6. Pepper Corns - 1 tsp
7. Curd - 1 tbsp (Optional)
8. Garlic - 2 cloves 
9. Ginger - about a teaspoon 
10. Garam masala 1/2 tsp 
11. Salt to taste
12. Coriander leaves for garnishing

For Tempering

1. Coriander seeds -- Few (Optional)
2. Jeera - 1 tsp for tempering
3. Cloves -2 
4. Cinnamon - A small piece 
5. Sunflower oil - 3 tsp 

I used frozen Paneer , so had to thaw it in boiling water for 20-30 minutes . If you're using fresh Paneer then still keep it immersed in warm water for around 15 minutes to get a soft texture

Method : 

In a kadai , add the oil and when its warm add the jeera , crushed coriander seeds , pepper corns , cloves and cinnamon. When it sputters add the ginger ,garlic . chopped green chillies , immediately follow by chopped onions . Once the onions turn slightly transparent (you needn't fry until golden brown) add the chopped tomatoes .When the tomatoes turns slightly mushy add the garam masala and fry . If you didnt add the coriander seeds you can add a bit of dhaniya powder along with the Garam masala . When the masala is fried well add the capsicums . The capsicums should remain crunchy so fry only for a minute or two. Add the curd to get a thick gravy like consistency. Finally add the Paneer after removing  excess water. Add salt to taste and garnish with chopped coriander leaves

Enjoy  with rice or rotis :)

Tips: You can add kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) which gives a unique flavour and if you didnt add the curd add a dash of lime in the end .It gives a tangy twist to the curry . If you add curd and lime together it may get too sour for your taste 

Home made vegetarian Pizza :

Heres the lazy sunday afternoon pizza recipe with simple ingredients but a a taste so rich and filling ...sluuurrrrrrp

Ingredients :

Pizza Base (for a medium sized pizza) :

All purpose flour - 1  cup
Oregano - 1 pinch (Optional)
Dry yeast - 1 teaspoon
Sugar - 1 teaspoon 
Salt - 1/2 teaspoon 
2 teaspoon vegetable oil
baking powder a pinch 
baking soda a pinch

Method : 

Mix the yeast in a small quantity of warm water and leave it for about 5 minutes till the yeast disintegrates . Make sure the water is not too hot or else you will end up killing the yeast . Pour this mixture into the middle of the sieved flour . Add one teaspoon oil and the other ingredients and knead the dough . After about ten minutes coat the dough with oil and leave it to rest in a warm place for about an hour and half or till the dough doubles in size 


Pizza sauce :

Ingredients :

Garlic paste 
Onion - 1 small 
Tomatoes - 2 large , puréed
oregano - 1 pinch 
Fresh basil - 4-5 leaves 
cloves , cinnamon and bay leaves if you like it spicy (optional)
oil for cooking 
salt to taste 
Pepper to taste 


In a small wok , heat the oil and add garlic paste , chopped onions and sauté till they turn brown . Add in the tomatoes and fry . Pour some water and the required spices cook until the tomatoes are done.  Add the basil towards the end cos too much cooking may result in losing the flavour 


Pizza toppings : 

Ingredients : Sweet Corn , Pineapple , Red and green peppers , onions and fresh basil ,parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese 

Spread out your dough to a thickness you like on your pizza stone or tray . Make small holes with a fork to let the air escape . spread the sauce on top . add in all your favourite toppings .Cover with a thick layer of mozzarella cheese . add a sprinkling of parmesan cheese for extra  flavour . Top with the basil . Bake in a preheated oven for about 16-18 minutes at 180 degrees 

Serve HOT !

Tip: Heating the pizza for a couple of minutes on the tava before putting into oven in a low heat will give you evenly cooked pizza base . Brush the edges with oil for the extra glow :)