Veg Indian Recipes

'Paneer' or Indian Cottage Cheese is a very popular ingredient in North Indain cuisine. North Indians will swear by their 'paneer', and there are a thousand recipes from Snacks to Curries and desserts which are made entirely with the versatile 'Paneer' as the main ingredient.

Paneer Pakoda (Fritters) is a very popular hot snack all over India and is very easy and quick to make. Most high tea parties in Indian homes will feature this delicacy served with tomato ketchup or a favorite Chutney (dip).

Paneer Pakoda (Indian Cottage Cheese Fritters)

Ingredients:

250 grams pressed block of Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese)
250 gms Gram Flour (Besan)
1 teaspoon Indian Garam Masala powder OR 1 teaspoon Indian Curry paste
1/2 teaspoon Red Chilli powder (optional)
1/4 teaspoon Turmuric powder (optional)
A pinch of baking powder
125 ml water (to make batter)
Salt to taste
Oil for frying

Method:

Cut the block of 'Paneer' into 8-10 finger sized long cubes. Now in a mixing bowl mix the gram flour, Garam Masala powder, red chilli powder and baking powder. Add the water slowly, stirring continously until a thick batter of pouring consistency is ready. Add salt to taste.

Now in a deep frying pan, heat oil for frying. When the oil is hot, dip and coat the paneer cubes in the gram flour batter and drop the cubes in hot oil. Reduce the flame to simmer and fry till paneer pakodas are golden brown. Remove pakodas and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.

Serve hot with tomato ketchup or your favorite Chutney or dip.

Makes 10 pakodas (fritters).

Masala Chai Tea or just 'Chai' is the beverage of choice all over India. From a construction worker to a business tycoon, eveyone prefers a hot cuppa 'chai' between work or after a hard days work. Most Indian homes will always serve you a hot cup of Chai Tea when you drop in on a casual visit.

Depending on whether you are drinking it in the North, South, East or West India, the Chai Tea is invariably flavored with various spices (Masalas). But the tea is almost (except in the North-East) always 'readymade'. 'Readymade' Chai tea is tea boiled in a mixture of water, milk and sugar and is ready to serve (i.e you do not need to add milk, sugar, or anything else). I am posting a popular Indian Masala Chai Tea recipe below. It is the perfect drink to have on a cold winter day or night. So get cosy with a book or by the fire and enjoy your hot cup of 'Chai' tea!

Masala Chai Tea

Ingredients:

2 cups of Water
1 cup Milk
2 teaspoons Tea leaves (Darjeeling, Assam, Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Chinese or Nilgiri - Take your pick)
1 pod of Cardamom
1 Clove
1/2 inch piece of Ginger
1/4 inch piece of Cinnamon
Sugar to taste

Method:

In a pot, mix the milk, water, all the whole spices (masalas) and bring to a boil. When it comes to a boil, add the tea leaves and keep on a rolling boil for 2 minutes or till the tea leaves are completely brewed and the tea has a golden or chocolate color. Add sugar to taste.

Strain the tea with a strainer into a serving tea pot. Serve hot in cups or mugs with biscuits and cookies.

Makes 2 cups.