Paneer Masala

It's been so long since my last post...I have been cooking just very busy with travel and work...it seem's like there are never enough hours is the day anymore! I had some paneer that I needed to use up so I decided to make paneer masala...it came out very good but also very spicy, next time I think I will cut the amount of garam masala next time! It was also very easy to make - just chop, mix and bake:

Ingredients:

- 4 teaspoons powdered garam masala

-1/2 a yellow onion chopped

-2 tablespoons of tomato paste

-one small tomato chopped

-3 tablespoons plain yogurt

-1/2 of a chopped red pepper

-1 block of paneer chopped

-1 cup diced pinapple chunks

-grated garlic and ginger to taste

-some chopped fresh cilantro

I just mixed all ingredients together and baked in a 400 degree preheated oven until the paneer was lightly browned.

All of the veggies chopped....

With the tomato paste, spices and yogurt

After everything was mixed and cooked in the oven.

Fried Paneer

Anyone who is a fan of Indian food has probably had Paneer - Indian cheese. I love the light taste. It's their version of cottage cheese only it is formed into a block. Paneer tastes great in currys but also tastes good as an appetizer fried. Paneer is sold in Indian stores in the freezer/cooler section in 1 pound blocks. All you would need to make fried paneer is paneer and olive oil...it also tastes good breaded so you would just need to dip the paneer pieces in egg and flour.

Directions to make fried paneeer:

1. chop up block into bite size pieces (or desired amount)

2. heat generous amount of olive oil in pan

3. fry paneer until it is golden brown on both sides

Serve with some mixed pickle and some other indian appetizers....

I had some dahl samosas and spinach pakora...mmm...