Palak Paneer

Palak Paner is a popular dish of Indian Subcontinent prepared with Spinach and Paneer. This is a traditional vegetarian dish, rich, smooth & creamy curry where Paneer cubes are cooked with pureed spinach, onion and tomato based gravy which is moderately spiced with Indian spices. This is a very healthy and delicious dish.

Health Benefits

Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese):  Paneer is an excellent source of calcium and makes your bones stronger & helps to prevent and reduce the back and joint problems.

Spinach (Palak):  Spinach is one of top Green leafy Vegetable that is quite popular around the world as they are having excellent health benefits. . They are low in calories and rich in Vitamins, Calcium and Iron with other nutrients too. They contain no of flavonoids that works as antioxidant and anti-cancer agent. Spinach is also rich source of Lutein, by which it considered as one of the best foods in the world to prevent cataracts. As per the research, a regular consumption of spinach can help to improve the cardiovascular health of a person. One good thing about spinach is that they are easily available either fresh or frozen throughout season

Ingredients:

·         Paneer  – ½ Cup

·         Spinach  – 2 Cups

·         Onion Paste – 3 tbsp

·         Ginger & Garlic Paste – 2 tbsp

·         Tomato Puree – 4-5 tbsp

·         Red Chili Powder – 2 tsp

·         Cumin Powder – 1 tsp

·         Coriander Powder – ½ tsp

·         Garam Masala – ½ tsp

·         Turmeric Powder – ¼ tsp

·         Salt as per taste

·         Cooking Oil – 3 tbsp

·         Coriander Leaves (Chopped)  – ½ tbsp

Preparation Method:

Ø  First boil the Spinach by adding little Salt and make its Puree by grinding.

Ø  Cut the Paneer into cubes; fry them till they turn light golden & keep aside.

Ø  Then in the same Pan add Onion Paste and fry till light brown; add Ginger & Garlic Paste and fry till its raw smell goes off.

Ø  Add Tomato Puree and fry till it separates Oil; Add Red Chili Powder; Turmeric Powder; Cumin Powder; Coriander Powder; Garam Masala; Salt and sauté for one minute.

Ø  Add Fried Paneer Cubes; sauté for 2mins; add Spinach Puree & cook for 2 mins.

Ø  Then add little bit water and cook till it achieves a thick consistency.

Ø  Finally add Chopped Coriander Leaves and mix well.

Ø  Now the “Palak Paneer” is ready.

Palak Paneer is well  served with Rice, Roti, Paratha.

Masala Prawn

Hi Guys!! In addition to our Non-Vegetarian dish category, I am going to talk about a very popular recipe made of Prawn called “Masala Prawn”. As we aware that Prawns & Shrimps are the most popular type of seafood that are consumed in restaurants and homes all around the globe.  They are being used in wide varieties of dishes ranging from curries to rice dishes to salads. Before the recipe let me brief some nutritional facts of Prawn. Prawns are considered to be a healthy food. They are good source of protein, which helps in overall growth and development of our body. They are rich in Selenium and Selenium is likely to protect us from the growth of cancer cell. Prawns are also low in cholesterol content and high in vitamin B12 that helps to protect the walls of blood vessels because of that the cardiovascular health of a person can improve. Prawn calories are low as compared to the calories of any other red meat with numerous several other nutritional contents which make it tastier and healthier option then other food stuff. My way of cooking Masala Prawn  is bit different than the traditional way. Here is the recipe, in case you would like to try at your kitchen…

Ingredients:

·         Prawn – 200 grams

·         Onion (Sliced) – 2 (Medium)

·         Ginger Paste – 1 tsp

·         Garlic Paste – 1 tsp

·         Tomato Puree – 3 tbsp

·         Red Chili Powder – 2 tsp

·         Sambar Powder – ½ tsp

·         Cumin Powder – ½ tsp

·         Salt as per taste

·         Cooking Oil (Preferably Mustard Oil) – 2 tbsp

·         Water – 1 Cup

Preparation Method:

Ø  Clean and Devein the Prawn and leave the tail intact.

Ø  Heat Oil in a Pan; add Sliced Onion and sauté till they turn golden brown.

Ø  Add Ginger & Garlic Paste and sauté till its raw smell goes off.

Ø  Add Red Chili Powder; Sambar Powder; Cumin Powder and sauté for a minute.

Ø  Now add Tomato Puree; Salt and cook for 3 mins in low medium flame.

Ø  Then add Prawns and cook for 5 mins in medium flame.

Ø  Finally add water & cook for 10 mins with cover; ensure that the gravy must remain thick.

Ø  Now the “Masala Prawn” is ready.

Masala Prawn is well served with Steamed Rice.

Chicken Veggie Soup

Hi Guys!! In addition to our Soup category, I am going to talk about one of most eatable soup called “Chicken Veggie Soup”. As you know that Chicken is very good source of protein, which provides the Amino Acid, called cysteine, a substance releases when the soup is cooked and that helps to thin the mucous in the lungs and drive the cough out. It tastes very delicious and helps especially to the older generation, who have poor protein intake. Since the Veggies are other important ingredients, the Soup contains several nutritional benefits as per the merit of each vegetable. In short, Chicken Veggie Soup is very healthy for the people of all ages that help to boost our immune system by which we can keep ourselves fit and fine.  The preparation method of Chicken Veggie Soup are varies from place to place as per the taste of each reason. However I have my own way of cooking….here is the recipe in case you would like to try.

Ingredients:

·         Chicken (Leg Pieces) – 4-5

·         Chicken Stock – 1 Cup (Optional)

·         Cabbage (Small) -1

·         Carrot (Medium) - 1

·         Potato (Medium) – 2

·         Tomato (Medium) –1

·         Onion (White) – 1 (Large)

·         Garlic Cloves – 3 (Sliced)

·         Pepper Powder – 2 tsp

·         Salt as per taste

·         Corn Soup – 1 small Packet

·         Water – 3 Cups

Preparation Method:

Ø  Cut Cabbage, Potatoes & Tomatoes in Quarters.

Ø  Cut Carrot in big size Cubes & Onion in big slices.

Ø  Clean the Leg pieces; place in a large Soup Pan and bring to boil on high flame.

Ø  Boiling after sometime skim off the scum from the top & cook for 10 minutes.

Ø  Add all cut Vegetables (Cabbage, Carrot, Potato, Tomato, Onion and Garlic), Chicken Stock and stir for 10 mins till the Vegetables and Chicken gets tender.

Ø  Add Salt; Corn Soup; Pepper Powder (1 ½ spoon) and cook for  5 mins.

Ø  Finally add Corn Flour mixed water and cook for another 5 mins.

Ø  Now “Chicken Veggie Soup” is ready. Garnish with Pepper Powder (½ tsp).

Ø  Don’t forget to serve it hot.