LOW CALORIE MALAI PANEER

Hello everyone

I am here again after a long time. As my families paneer love is not hidden by anyone here ,who loved my blog. So thought , why not to come back in my usual style of paneer dish with low calorie.
I was making many dishes during this gap period but some how couldn't draft those recipes to share with you all. Today i tried this very delicious paneer dish in my way and viola it turned out so yummy that i couldn't resist me from sharing it on my blog.
Paneer is not only a yummy ingredient but also very good for health too, specially for kids. And thankfully almost all kids love it including my fussy eater. This is the reason i used to prepare paneer dishes in my house frequently.
Have you ever thought malai paneer without malai, then surely try this you will never regret. This dish is also going to be one of your favorite dish, i can bet.
Stepwise recipe is given below, hope you all will love to try.

LOW CALORIE MALAI PANEER

 Ingredients

2 cup cottage cheese ( paneer), cubed
4 big onions, thinly sliced
2 green chilies, finely chopped
1 big tomato, pureed
1 tbsp coriander powder
2 tsp kitchen king masala
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp kasoori methi

Pinch of sugar
Salt to taste
Oil

For tempering:
1 tsp shah jeera or cumin powder (Simple jeera)
1/4 tsp asafoetida ( heeng)
1 black cardamom ( badi ilaichi)

Method:

First of all heat oil in a wok and add shah jeera, let it crackle . Add cardamom and asafoetida, sauté for few seconds.
Now add sliced onions and chilies. Fry for few mins then add all dry masala powders( kitchen king, coriander and turmeric powder)and some salt. Cover and cook ( stirring in between) it till onion become soft and spices are nicely fried.

Now add tomato paste and sauté till it start leaving edges of wok.

Add milk little by little, stirring constantly to avoid cuddling.

Let it boil and add paneer cubes and salt. Add some water or milk to adjust gravy consistency as per your preference.

Simmer for 4-5 mins. Now add kasoori methi and sugar, mix well.

Switch off the flame and your delicious low calorie malai paneer is ready to be served with roti/paratha/naan or even with plain rice or pulao.

* You can also add cream to get more richer gravy but then it will not be low calorie.

You can prepare this dish for your party menu too. Just make it and earn lots and lots of praise from everyone.

Hope you all will love this recipe and will definitly try. Don't forget to share your suggestions and comments, they meant a lot.

Happy cooking....

MERINGUE KISSES

Hello everyone

Though i am not a fan of baking with eggs but sometimes, few things attract you to such an extent that couldn't stop yourself from doing that. One such tempting thing was meringue kisses for me. Whenever i see these beauties , they lure me to make them. So finally i overcame my baking without egg rule and tried these awesome gorgeous beauties . And to my surprise they came out almost perfect, not only in look but in texture too. I am jumping with joy to see them. My kids are super happy to have these and are proudly sharing with their friends too. 
I am sharing my recipe here and hope you all will love to try it. It is so simple to try with minimum required ingredients.

MERINGUE KISSES

Time: 2-3 hrs
Yield: 40-45 pieces, depending on size

Ingredients

2 egg whites ( at room temp)
1/2 cup fine granules sugar
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla essence
Gel food colours of your choice

Method:

First of all take eggwhites in a big bowl and beat at low to medium speed with a hand beater till it becomes little foamy. Add lemon juice and continue beating.

Add sugar little by little with your beater on. Now increase the speed of beater and beat till stiff peaks are formed.

Refer below pic for understanding stiff peak.

**Never over beat your egg mixture otherwise it will become runny .

Now take a big piping bag fitted with big round/star nozzel.

For colourful pattern , take little gel colours with toothpick and make vertical lines at some distance, inside the piping bag. Now fill it with prepared meringue.

On a baking tray lined with butter paper, pipe 1 1/2 - 2 inch size meringue kisses.

Now bake it in a preheated oven at 100°C for 1 hr 30 mins or till it can be easily lifted without sticking to the butter paper.

Let it cool inside the oven with door slightly open.

When it cooled down completely , store in an airtight jar.

*It will remain good at room temp for 3-4 days. You can keep it in refrigerator or freezer for longer life.

*If you want your meringue kisses of one single colour then can add colour while beating.

So bake these beauties and enjoy with your tea or give in kids snacks box. You can prepare a big batch and store in freezer and enjoy chilled crispies whenever you want.

Do try this simple yet delicious recipe and dont forget to share your experience with me. Your comments and suggestions meant a lot to me.

Happy cooking....

EGGLESS ALMOND CHOCO COFFEE COOKIES

Hello everyone

Today I have a very delicious crisp chocolate cookies recipe with goodness of almonds and depthness of coffee flavour. If you are a chocolate as well as coffee lover then it is surely for you. you can have it any time without guilt as it is loaded with almond. Most intrestingly it's eggless too. Not only elders but kids too love this cookie.
You don't need any fancy equipment to prepare it. It is a wonderful gift for your loved ones.
Stepwise Recipe is given below. do try and share your experience with me.

EGGLESS ALMOND CHOCO COFFEE COOKIES

Time: 30 mins
Yield: 25-26 medium size cookies

Ingredients


1 1/2 cup all purpose flour / chapatti flour
1/2 cup butter ( at room temp.)
1/2 cup ground almonds
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated white sugar ( you can increase as per taste)
2 tsp instant coffee powder
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 tbsp freshly ground flaxseeds + 3 tbsp warm water ( leave for 10-15 mins)
1/2 cup chocolate chips


Method:

First of all preheat oven at 180°C and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Mix almond powder, flour and baking powder well . keep aside till needed.

Take butter in a bowl and cream it. Now add coffee powder and both sugar. Again beat till mixture become creamy.
Now add flaxseed gel and again beat till well incorporated.

Add flour and just fold. Now add choco chips ( reserve some for decorating) and just mix to get nice dough. Don't over mix the dough.

Make small balls of dough and flatten like peda. Place on baking tray at 2 inch distance between each cookie.

Place some Choco chips on each flattened cookies and place the tray in refrigerator for half an hour or in freezer for 10 mins.

Now bake it in preheated oven @180°C for 12-20 mins as different oven take different time for baking. So keep an eye after 12 mins.

When its base starts getting brown , remove from oven and let it rest for 5 mins. Then transfer on a wire rack and let it cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

It will remain good at room temp for .a week ( If left) and for a month in refrigerator.

* You can add more sugar if want more sweeter cookies, as mine are mild.

* If you dont have brown sugar then replace it with white one.

* If baking for small kids then you can omit coffee powder, as some kids don't like it's flavour.

*If using strong coffee like expresso then add only 1 tsp. as it may turn cookies bitter.

So bake these divine cookies at home and surprise your loved ones. It's perfect snacks for your morning/evening tea or for kids tiffin. Enjoy whenever you want. Hope you all will love this simple yet delicious recipe and will definitely give it a try.

Do share your experience with me, as your feedback motivates me to serve more and more interesting delicacies to you. Your comments and suggestions meant a lot to me.

Happy cooking....

PEANUTS AND POTATO CHATPATA SALAD ( FAST SPECIAL)

Hello everyone

Auspicious Navratri days are continued and many of us are fasting these days. We too observe fast during every Navratri , on very first day and ashtami . There are many people who used to perform fast all over Navratri period. So the fast special meal we take these days matters a lot. Generally people go for deep fried snacks and ghee laden high calorie dishes while fasting, which is completely wrong and adversely affect their health. We should try to consume lots of fibre and nutrient rich food and let our digestive system rest a bit. So instead of having lots of fried and high calories fast special treats go for some healthy yet filling alternative.

Today I am sharing such a very healthy ,quick , delicious as well as filling recipe with you. Do try and let me know your experience.

PEANUTS AND POTATO CHATPATA SALAD ( FAST SPECIAL)

Serves: 2 big servings
Time: 10 mins max.

Ingredients

1 medium cucumber, finely chopped
1 medium tomato, finely chopped
2 potatoes, boiled and finely chopped
1/2 apple, finely chopped ( optional but adds extra crunch and flavor, of course)
Black pepper powder, as per taste
Sendha namak ( rock salt) , as per taste
Lemon juice , as per taste
1 tbsp coriander leaves, finely chopped
2-3 green chilies , finely chopped( as per taste)
1/2 cup peanuts, roasted

Method

Mix well everything together in a big bowl, except peanuts. Adjust seasoning as per your taste.
Add peanuts only when ready to serve , to maintain crunch .

* You can also use carrots, sweet potato or any other fruit or veggie of your choice.

* Don't add peanuts too early otherwise they will turn soft and soggy.

This can also be consumed on our regular routine as a healthy snacks or breakfast substitute. If having on regular day then can also use some chaat masala to give extra flavour to it.

* If you are a health conscious and weight watcher fellow then can have it as a meal replacement too.

It's just not a fast special dish but a full nutrition packed healthy meal for anyone anytime.

Not only healthy but it gives just burst of flavours in your mouth and leave you fully filled and satisfied , even on a fasting day .

Hope you all will love this healthy cum delicious fasting treat and  definitely give it a try. Please pour your valuable comments and suggestions here, they meant a lot.

Happy cooking....

MOONG PALAK PANEER BIRYANI

Hello everyone 

Biryani is a tempting treat for all who love rice dishes. Even I am too fond of biryani , especially veg version. This time thought to try something different , so tried moong palak paneer biryani. It is full of protein , iron and fibre to fulfill our nutrient needs with deliciousness. It is as spicy as hyderabadi biryani and so tempting to lure any biryani lover.  Though my way of cooking don't call for too much oil or butter hence this one is also one of the low calorie and healthy biryani compared to regular ones. This is also simple to cook and don't need any special utensil or technique, even then you can get quiet authentic taste. Step wise recipe is given below hope you all will definitely give it a try.

MOONG PALAK PANEER BIRYANI 

Serves: 4-5

Time: 1 hr

Ingredients 

2 cup soaked whole moong dal
2 cup spinach , finely chopped
2 cup cottage cheese ( paneer), cubed
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
4-5 green chillies , slitted
1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
2 big tomatoes, finely chopped or pureed
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp black pepper powder
1 tsp garam masala powder
2 tsp Kashmiri red chili
1 1/2 tbsp biryani masala powder
Oil
1 tbsp ghee
Salt to taste

For veggie tempering:

1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp fennel seeds
4 green cardamom
4 cloves
1 inch cinnamon stick
1 bay leaves

For rice:

3 cup basmati or biryani rice, soaked for at least 30 mins

water

1 tsp salt

1 star anise

1 black cardamom

4 green cardamom 

4 cloves

2 inches piece cinnamon 

1 inch piece mace
2 bay leaves

For layering:

1/4 cup milk

 1 cup mint and corianderleaves, chopped

1 tsp Kewda essence or rose water

2 tsp ghee 

Few strands of saffron soaked in little milk or red and yellow edible colors 

1 big onion, thinly sliced and deep fried till golden brown 

Fried dry fruits ( almonds, cashew, raisins) for garnishing

Method:

Heat oil in a wok and fry onion till brown for layering .Fry dry fruits in the same oil and drain on a tissue paper. Keep aside for later use. 

Now add ghee and oil in same wok and add all veggie tempering spices and saute till aromatic, then add thinly sliced onions .

 Saute till nice golden, add ginger garlic paste and green chilies ,saute for 2 mins.

 Add all dry spice powder and saute for a minute. 

Add moong and salt, saute for 3-4 mins. Now cover to cook till moong is cooked till done but still crunchy. 

Now add chopped spinach and saute for few minutes till spinach srinks. Add chopped or pureed tomatoes and saute till raw smell of tomatoes goes off .

 Now add paneer cubes , adjust salt and saute for 2-3 mins on high flame to evaporate all extra moisture. switch off the flame and keep aside till layering.

In the mean while start preparing rice too. Boil enough water in a heavy bottom vessel, add all whole spices and salt in it. Add drained rice. 

Let it cook till 80% done but not completely soft. Drain rice in a sieve or colander , may be some liquid will drain. You can use this in your veggies or for kneading dough.

* Don't overcook otherwise you will end up with veggie khichadi. Use water as per requirement, as different rice needs different quantity of water. I don't add too much water to drain but it should be enough to boil your rice till right consistency.

Now for layering, first of all make layer of round sliced tomatoes in the base of the vessel. It will prevent veggies from burning while put on dum.

 Now divide veggies and rice in two to three equal parts. Spread one layer of veggies then spread some of mint leaves all over it then sprinkle, red color or saffron strands soaked in milk. 

Now spread next part of rice on it evenly so that it cover whole veggies.Sprinkle 2 tbsp of milk on it, then sprinkle 1/2 tsp of Kewda or rose water ,spread half of fried or grilled brown onions and some of mint leaves on it. Similarly make another layer of veggies on it and rice layer. 

Finally pour 2 tsp ghee all over it. You can make 2-3 layers of each veggies and rice, as per your convenience and quantity. 

* Reserve some fried onions for garnishing while serving.

Finally cover it well with an aluminum foil so that it can be put on dum. You can also seal it with dough.

Now keep a tawa on low flame and put this biryani pot on it and dum it for 25-30 mins. 

Switch of the flame and let it rest for at least 10-15 mins so that all the flavours and aroma of spices and essences get infused in whole dish. 

Then open the lid and flip biryani with fork or skewer to get nice fluffy rice. Garnish with fried onions and dry fruits.

Your aromatic,easy, yummy and flavourful biryani is ready to be served with tomato onion raita.

* Add some water to moong while cooking, if needed.

* Always try to cook rice and veggies simultaneously so that you will get nice fluffy biryani. Never cook rice too early otherwise it may stick. If it's not possible to cook both at a time then first cook veggies then go to rice. Or add a little ghee in rice and keep aside open to stop further cooking .

* Never mix biryani with spatula, always use a fork or best to flip it by tossing.

* If you ran out of fresh mint leaves then can use crushed dry mint also.

It's a one pot meal that none of the biryani lover can refuse. Its aroma is sufficient to bring you to the dinning room. 

This can be a hit dish for any get together or family party. You need not to serve too many dishes with it only simple raita is enough to accompany it.

Hope you will definitely give it a try, it might be looking a long recipe but believe me it will not take your much effort and time . 

At last you will never regret for trying it, it's a must try recipe for all biryani lovers.

Please stop by and pour your valuable comments and suggestions here, they meant a lot to me.

Happy cooking....