Muskmelon Kalakand

 

           Kalakand is a traditional and a very popular Indian dessert that is generally served during festivals and special occasions. It is prepared of crumbled paneer and is slightly grainy in texture. 

          So let me share this Muskmelon kalakand, which is a healthy version with the goodness of paneer and the fruit. Garnish as desired with chopped nuts and enjoy them chilled or at room temperature. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this yummy and an unique dessert and surprise your loved ones.

           Muskmelon, on the other hand, is a hydrating fruit that is composed of 90% water content. It has many nutritional benefits as it is low in calories, keeps our body hydrated, improves digestion, is good for the heart and helps in weight control. 

          This is a very simple recipe with very few ingredients and takes very little time to dish out. You can set the kalakand in molds or on a greased plate and cut into desired shapes and sizes. Adjust the ghee and sweetness according to your preference. You can add jaggery or brown sugar instead, for a healthier version.  

• 200 gms. paneer, crumbled 
• 1 tbsp. ghee
• 1 cup muskmelon, pureed
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar or to taste 
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder 
• 1 tbsp. pistachios, chopped
• few saffron strands

      

          In a pan, add the muskmelon puree and simmer on a low flame till all the moisture has evaporated. 

          Add the crumbled paneer, sugar, ghee and cardamom powder. Mix everything well. 

         Now add the milk and keep stirring continuously on a low flame till the mixture starts to come together in a dough form & leaves the sides of the pan. 

          Transfer to any mold. Allow it to cool down and refrigerate for some time till it sets.  

          Enjoy as and when desired. Great for any festive occasion or as an after meal dessert. 

                       In a pan, add the muskmelon puree.

        Simmer on a low flame till all the moisture has evaporated. 

Add the crumbled paneer, sugar, ghee & cardamom powder. Mix well.

         

                       Now add the milk.

                   Keep stirring continuously on a low flame......

......till the mixture starts to come together in a dough form & leaves the sides of the pan. 

Transfer to any mold. Allow it to cool down & refrigerate for some time till it sets.  

Enjoy as & when desired. Great for any festive occasion or as an after meal dessert. 

Soya Matar Paneer

 

           Protein rich, healthy and delicious, this Soya Matar Paneer Curry makes for a perfect side dish with either chapattis, jeera rice, steamed rice, plain biryani, pulao or any Indian flat bread. 

           Soya Chunks is a great substitute to meat and tastes just as yummy as any mutton curry. Make them more appetizing by adding some green peas and paneer. Any way it is prepared, tastes just yummy. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare my version of this amazing curry.  

• 1/2 cup soya chunks, soaked in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes
• 100 gms. paneer cubes
• 1/3 cup green peas (I used frozen peas)
• 2-3 tbsp. oil
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 dry red chilies
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 tsp. salt or to taste
• 1 tsp. red chili powder
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. coriander-cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp. garam masala powder
• 3 tbsp. yoghurt
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

           Squeeze out the water from the soaked soya nuggets and keep aside. 

          Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a pan and sauté the paneer cubes till light golden color. Soak them in lukewarm water for 5 minutes. Squeeze them and keep aside.

           Heat remaining oil and temper with dry red chilies, cumin seeds and bay leaves. Sauté for a few seconds.

           Add the onion and fry till light brown. Add the ginger-garlic paste and all the dry spices mixed with 1/4 cup water. Sauté till the oil separates.

           Now add the tomatoes and cook till it is mashed. Then add the yoghurt and sauté till it is mixed with the gravy. 

           Drop in the drained soya nuggets, green peas and salt. Mix well. 

           Add 1 cup water and simmer, covered, till the gravy is slightly thick. 

           Now add the fried paneer and simmer for a minute. Garnish with coriander leaves. 

          Serve as a side dish with steamed rice, jeera rice, naan, tandoori roti, paratha or chapatis. 

    Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a pan & sauté the paneer cubes till light golden color. 

   Soak them in lukewarm water for 5 minutes. Squeeze them & keep aside.

Heat remaining oil & temper with dry red chilies, cumin seeds & bay leaves. Sauté for a few seconds.

                   Add the onion and fry till light brown. 

Add the ginger-garlic paste & all the dry spices (except salt) mixed with 1/4 cup water. Sauté till the oil separates.

                   Now add the tomatoes and cook till it is mashed. 

             Then add the yoghurt & sauté till it is mixed with the gravy. 

                Drop in the drained soya nuggets, green peas & salt. Mix well. 

          Add 1 cup water & simmer, covered, till the gravy is slightly thick. 

                 Now add the fried paneer & simmer for a minute.

                         Garnish with coriander leaves. 

Serve as a side dish with steamed rice, jeera rice, naan, tandoori roti, paratha or chapatis. 

Red Dragon Fruit Kalakand

 

           This Red Dragon Fruit kalakand is a healthy version with the goodness of paneer and the fruit. Garnish as desired with chopped nuts and enjoy them chilled or at room temperature. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this exotic sweet and surprise your loved ones with this yummy and an unique dessert.

          Kalakand is a traditional and a very popular Indian dessert that is generally served during festivals and special occasions. It is grainy in texture and a very simple recipe with very few ingredients. It is very easy to prepare and takes very little time to dish out.

         Red Dragon Fruit, on the other hand, is a tropical fruit rich in fibre and antioxidants, but low in calories. It is mildly sweet in taste and has many nutritional benefits. The outer part of this fruit almost resembles a dragon, hence the name. 

          This Kalakand is visually very attractive with its vibrant dark pink / red color. Adjust the ghee and sweetness according to your preference. You can add jaggery or brown sugar instead, for a healthier version.  

• 200 gms. paneer, crumbled 
• 1 tbsp. ghee
• 1 Red Dragon fruit, pureed
• 2 tbsp. milk powder
• 2-3 tbsp. sugar or to taste 
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder 
• 1-2 tbsp. pistachios & almonds, chopped

           In a non-stick pan, add the Red Dragon Fruit puree and simmer on a low flame till all the moisture has evaporated. 

          Add all the ingredients (except chopped nuts). Mix everything well & keep stirring continuously on a low flame till the mixture starts to come together in a dough form & leaves the sides of the pan. 

          Transfer to a greased plate and garnish with the chopped nuts. Allow it to cool and refrigerate for some time till it sets.  

          Cut into desired shapes and enjoy as and when desired. Great for any festive occasion or as an after meal dessert. 

             In a non-stick pan, add the Red Dragon Fruit puree.

       Simmer on a low flame till all the moisture has evaporated. 

                 Add all the ingredients (except chopped nuts).

      Mix everything well & keep stirring continuously on a low flame....

....till the mixture starts to come together in a dough form & leave the sides of the pan. 

Transfer it to a greased plate & garnish with chopped nuts. Allow it to cool & then refrigerate till it sets. Then cut into desired shapes. 

              Enjoy as and when desired.

        Great for any festive occasion or as an after meal dessert. 

Tawa Paneer in South Indian style

 

           Tawa Paneer is a very popular dish in Dhabas and North Indian restaurants world wide. It is typically prepared on a tawa / griddle, hence the name. It is a very quick, simple and an easy recipe with few basic ingredients available in the kitchen.

            However, check out my version of Tawa Paneer in a South Indian style, complete with curry leaves and sambar powder. This yummy dish goes absolutely well as an appetizer or with Chapatti / paratha, plain biryani, pulao, jeera rice, naan or tandoori roti.

 

             This dish is a semi dry curry, where I also added capsicum and tomato along with paneer.  You can also roll it up inside a chapatti for a quick breakfast / snack or have it as a lunch box meal. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 1 cup paneer cubed
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1tsp. garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, chopped
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 1-2 sprigs curry leaves
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp. Kashmiri red chili powder
• 1 tsp. roasted coriander powder
• 1 tbsp. sambar powder
• 1 small capsicum, cubed
• 1 small tomato, cubed
• 1/2 onion, cubed
• 1 tbsp. lime juice
• 2 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

          Heat oil in a tawa and sauté the onion, ginger, garlic, green chilies and curry leaves till translucent.

          Add all the dry spices along with a sprinkle of some water and sauté for a minute. 

          Now add the cubed paneer and gently mix so that it is well coated.  

          Then add the tomato, capsicum and onion. Stir fry for 2 minutes till well combined.

          When done, switch off the flame and add lime juice. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with chapatti, paratha or tandoori roti for a wholesome comfort meal.

Heat oil in a tawa & sauté the onion, ginger, garlic, green chilies & curry leaves till translucent.

 Add all the dry spices along with a sprinkle of some water & sauté for a minute. 

        Add the cubed paneer and gently mix so that it is well coated.  

                 Add the tomato, capsicum & onion. 

                Stir fry for 2 minutes till well combined.

                 When done, switch off the flame and add lime juice.

                  Then garnish with coriander leaves. 

    Serve with chapatti, paratha or tandoori roti for a wholesome comfort meal.