Creating a blog was out of the question for a long time for me, as measuring everything in the kitchen was like biting into an eggshell. I enjoy cooking and don’t want to waste even a slightest bit of enjoyment in that small world of mine. But little did I know that everything will change, when my husband came home with the Oscar nominated film ‘Julie and Julia’( a real life story) where Julie Powell (part played by Amy Adams) challenged herself to make all the 524 recipes from Julia Child's cook book ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’ and blogging all her experiences (The Julie/Julia Project). It was an inspiring movie. A few days later when we were discussing this casually with a friend of ours over tea…everything changed dramatically…..” How about you making at least half of it in one year? Not French but your own. 262 recipes that will inspire others and present it as a blog?” For a minute my mind traveled faster than light… With an experience as a helper in my mother in laws kitchen for 6 years followed by a three year everyday struggle to satisfy the palate of my foodie husband, if I cannot do it then why should I cook? But on the other side with an experience in English literature extending no more than expanding outline stories in English grammar class when I was 18 and two small kids that come in handy at times, will a commitment for the next one year work? Anyway my ‘cook's ego’ didn’t allow me to say no...

So my friends …here I am opening my recipe book, trying to perfect and present 262 recipes in the coming 365 days….A Challenge that will of course tastes good. Come.. Have a walk with me along my journey.. Cheering and inspiring….Forgiving and tolerating…Testing and tasting….for ‘A Tasty Challenge’

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Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Paneer Peas Pie

Recipe No: 225
This is another recipe from my Mother in Law’s kitchen and don't be mislead by the name as the ingredient list shows its all Indian.  It is actually made with Paneer and Green Peas only, but as I was short on Green Peas I added some Potatoes too. So you can either use or avoid Potatoes as you wish.
Ingredients                                           Serves 4
For the Filling
  • Paneer……………………….....200 grams (Fried and cubed)
  • Oil………………………………..1 ½ Tablespoons
  • Onion chopped fine…….....1 Cup
  • Indian Green Chilly slit…..2
  • Ginger Garlic Paste………..2 Teaspoons
  • Turmeric Powder…………..1/4 Teaspoon
  • Red Chilly Powder…………3/4 Teaspoon
  • Coriander Powder………….1 ½ Teaspoons
  • Garam Masala Powder……3/4 Teaspoon
  • Tomato chopped…………….1/2 Large
  • Fresh Peas………………….....1 ½ Cups (or use ¾ Cup Peas and ¾ cup cubed Potatoes)
  • Coriander Leaves…………...2 Tablespoons (chopped)
  • Salt as needed
To Make the White Sauce
  • Butter/ Oil……………………...1 ½ Tablespoons
  • All Purpose Flour/ Maida…1 Tablespoon
  • Cold Milk…………………….….1 Cup
  • Grated Cheese………………...1 Tablespoon (I used Parmesan, but Amul Cheese will work fine)
  • Salt and Pepper powder to taste
To assemble the dish
  • Grated Cheese………………….1 Tablespoon
  • Bread Crumbs…………………1/2 Cup
  • Oil/ Butter………………..…….1 Tablespoon
Method of Preparation
To make the Filling
  1. Heat Oil in a pan on medium high heat and saute the Onion and Green Chilly till wilted.
  2. Add Ginger Garlic paste and saute till the raw smell is gone.
  3. Lower the heat and add Turmeric Powder, Red Chilly Powder, Coriander Powder and Garam Masala Powder; fry for a minute.
  4. Add Tomato and saute till mashed and then add the Green Peas (and Potatoes if using) and a cup of Water.
  5. Mix well, add Salt and let it cook on medium heat for 5 minutes before adding Paneer. Boil till all the Water is absorbed. 
  6. Add Coriander Leaves; mix well and switch off the heat. Keep aside till ready to be used
To make the White Sauce
  1. Heat Butter/ Oil in a pan on medium heat and add the Flour.
  2. Fry it stirring constantly till a roasted smell comes.
  3. Whisk in the cold Milk taking care to avoid lumps.
  4. Once mixed well, stir it constantly till the sauce thickens. (The Sauce will coat the back of the spoon and a line drawn through it will remain like that rather than flowing back)
  5. Switch off the heat and mix in Salt, Pepper Powder and Grated Cheese. Keep it aside till ready to be used.
To Assemble and bake the dish
  1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F/ 180˚C.
  2. Spread 2-3 Tablespoons of White Sauce in the bottom of an 8 ½ X 6 inch oven proof dish  evenly and sprinkle a bit of Cheese on top.
  3. Carefully layer the Whole Paneer Peas filling on top of this thin layer of White Sauce.
  4. Pour the rest of the White Sauce on top of the filling evenly followed by a sprinkling of the rest of the Cheese.
  5. Spread Crumbs on top of the Sauce evenly followed by a light drizzle of Oil.
  6. Bake it in the preheated oven for 40 minutes or till the dish is bubbly and the Bread Crumbs becomes  light brown.
  7. Serve warm with Bread.
Notes:
  • Instead of frying the Paneer after cutting it into cubes, cut it into slabs and shallow fry it in 2 tablespoon Oil on both sides. Cut it into cubes afterward, this not only reduces the use of Oil but makes the job much easier too.
  • If you are using dried Green Peas cook it partially before making this dish. But I prefer fresh frozen Peas in this recipe.
  • You can make the filling and the sauce in advance and assemble and bake the dish whenever needed.
  • If you try to serve the Pie piping hot, it may be a bit runny. But this will reduce as it cools.




Make it, enjoy the deliciousness and
serve it to your family with love…

5 comments:

Reshmi Mahesh said...

Very yummy recipe....nice notes too...esp about frying the paneer..

Priya Suresh said...

Omg, wat a rich looking pie, love paneer as anything, wonderful dish..

Jaisy James said...

pie looks delicious

Unknown said...

First time in your blog..i adore your effort and determination..hats off...you can achieve a 1001 mile stone for sure..good luck..I will be back in your space again.
Love
Deepa

Neenu M N said...

luks perfect

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