Paneer Pakori

Ingredients

• Paneer (Indian Cheese)
• Garbanzo flour (besan)
• Cumin seeds (jira)
• Salt to taste
• Turmeric powder (haldi)
• Chili powder 
• Red onion

Preparation

Paneer packages available in all Indian stores.
 

 

Thinly slice Paneer and red onion.

In a bowl mix garbanzo flour (found at any Indian store), cumin seeds, chili powder, turmeric powder, salt and water. (See another variation)

Dip Paneer into the batter and/or Paneer and red onion mix. Make a ball and dip into the batter. You can basically batter any vegetable and make different flavor pakoris.

Deep or pan fry.

Enjoy as a snack or appetizer with chutney!

Aloo Jira (Fennel)

Ingredients

• Potatoes (white, red or gold are ok)
• Red Onions
• Haldi (tummeric)
• Chilli powder
• Salt
• Cilantro
• Jira (fennel seeds)
• Olive oil

Preparation

Wash potatoes and place in a glass container.Boil the potatoes in the microwave. Small potatoes take less time to cook, or you can peel and cut them before microwaving. 

Cut the potatoes in small pieces (before or after cooking) your choice.

Brown potatoes in olive oil.

On a separate pan sautee red onions.

Combine potatoes and onion until fully browned.

Add jira seeds, haldi, salt and chilli powder.

Garnish with cilantro.

Enjoy with roti or as a side dish!

Eggplant Aloo

This is aloo (potatoes) with baigan (eggplant). Chop the ingredients (ignore the zucchini, for a different recipe!)

Cook the potatoes in a microwave for 7-9mins.

In the meantime, prepare the eggplant mix, pan fry some chopped onion and add the tomatoes. Add some cumin seeds in olive oil and add to the mix. Add chilli, heeng which an essential flavor and salt to taste.

Move to a deep pot, add the eggplant and cover to cook. Mash it to make a nice even mix. Finally add the potatoes and allow the flavor to settle in!

Gobi Manchurian

For this Indian-Chinese version start with some chopped onion, tomatoes and peppers. Stir fry in a pan with some olive oil and cumin seeds. Add some Serrano chili as well.

Prepare the Manchurian mix - mix in some water and let it sit for few minutes.

Mix in with the stir fry and add some previously cut and fried gobi. Ready to serve!