Kadhai Paneer

My favorite vegetarian dish to order at Indian Restaurants is anything that has paneer in it. I really don't know the difference between paneer Butter Masala and Kadai Paneer. Is it just the amount of Butter and Cream in the dish? :)

I have tried both dishes at several restaurants and for the most part, that's about all the difference I have noticed. I served it with my homemade easy naan recipe and it's pairs perfectly with this dish.

Most store bought paneer is hard, but I tried the Haldiram's Taaza Taaza Fresh Paneer and it's delicious and soft. I am in love and I really don't think I need to make the Homemade version as long as I have access to it.

Ingredients:
Paneer - 15 to 20 pieces, Cubed
Tomato Puree - 1 1/2 Cups.
Onion - 1 (I used a big handful of Fried Onions I had)
Butter - 2 Tbsp
Oil - 1 Tbsp
Fennel Seeds - 1 Tsp
Red Chili Powder - 1 Tbsp
Ginger Garlic Paste - 1/2 Tbsp
Cumin Powder - 1 Tsp
Salt - To Taste
Garam Masala - 1/2 Tbsp
Dried Fenugreek Leaves -  1 big pinch
Cream/Half and Half - 1/4 Cup
Cashew Powder/Paste - 1 Tbsp

If you are using fresh onion, slice and fry in a pan with 1 Tbsp oil until darker brown and a little crispy.
In a pan, add the oil and season with Fennel Seeds. Add the Tomato Puree and cook till it starts to get thick. Add the fried Onions, Ginger Garlic paste, all the dry powders and cook until the raw smell disappears. Add some water and cook till the gravy is thick.

Add the Paneer cubes. I used soft paneer, so I just added them as is. If the Paneer is hard and rubbery, soak in warm water for a few minutes, drain and add to the gravy.

Add the cream or half and half, the cashew paste/powder and cook for a couple more minutes.

Top with chopped cilantro and serve with Naan, Roti or Rice.

Mini Pizzas with Naan/Pita/Arabic Bread

This is my dinner routine on most days. Go into the kitchen half an hour before we eat. Find what's in the pantry and think of a quick 15 to 20 minute dish with the available ingredients. 

Here' what I had - Pita Bread, Mushrooms and some shredded cheese. What do you make with those? Pizza! It's better to use Sautéed Vegetables since these will bake in no time.

If you have some Marinara sauce, it works. Else some sautéed tomatoes, any Tomato sauce or Ketchup, Pizza Sauce will work here.

Ingredients:
Naan/Pita/Arabic Bread - 1 per person. 2 if you are realllly hungry.
Sautéed Vegetables - Mushrooms, Red Bell Peppers or any other veggies of your choice
Pizza Sauce/Marinara Sauce - 1/4 Cup per mini Pizza
Shredded Cheese - 3 Tbsp per Pizza

Pre-heat oven to 400F.

Spread the Pizza Sauce on the base, top with veggies and sprinkle cheese on top.
Bake for about 6 to 8 minutes until the cheese is melted through.

Remove, top with some cilantro and serve hot.

Easy Mini Pecan Pies

I had some leftover pie crust from the holidays and I wanted to make something new and interesting. I have made the whole pecan pie in the past and I have a fool proof simple recipe that I have reused here. 

Corn Syrup is a common ingredient for Pecan Pie. This gives it the sticky and gooey texture, but I really didn't want to use this. It's debatable that Processed Sugar is just as bad as Corn Syrup, but I would pick a known devil over the unknown.

I made these for a dinner party at a friend's place and I cut the pie crust into rounds and baked them in a Muffin Pan. They turned out really yummy and this recipe is a keeper.

Ingredients:
Pie Crust - I used Pillsbury
Pecans - 1 Cup
Flour - 2 Tbsp
Sugar - 1 1/4 Cups (White + Brown Mixed)
Butter - 1/2 Cup
Eggs - 2
Milk - 2 Tbsp
Vanilla Extract - 1/2 Tsp

Unroll the pie crust and use a bottle cap or any round cookie cutter/tin etc to make 8 small pie crusts. Gather the left over and keep rolling it back to not waste any dough.

Beat the eggs and add melted butter, vanilla extract and milk and mix. Mix all the dry ingredients separately and add to the wet ingredients and mix. Add the pecans and mix again.

Pre-heat oven to 400F. Place the crust in the muffin tin moulds and pour the filling 3/4 of the way. Bake for 10 minutes, reduce to 350F and bake again until set. about 20 more minutes.

Remove and serve with Whipped Cream.