Palak Paneer

Ingredients:

Paneer - 300 gms
Palak - 2 bunch
Oil - 3 tsps
Onion ( big ) - 1,1/2
G. Chilly - 3
Jeera - 2 tsps
Garlic - 1 pod
Garam Masala - 2 tsp
Bay leaf - 1
Salt - to taste
Water - half cup to blanch palak.
Cream - 3 tbs
       OR       -   BOTH OPTIONAL
Milk - an ounce

METHOD

Step 1 : Clean palak & blanch for 2-3 mins in little water along with g.chillies, 4-5 garlic pearls, salt & then remove from stove , cool & grind & keep aside.

Step 2 : In a kadai, pour oil,add bay leaf,  jeera , rest of garlic pearls cut into tiny pieces,onion ,saute till it becomes golden brown,then add paneer cubes,saute for few seconds & add the palak mixture, garam-masala, salt & allow to boil for 2-3 Min's . Add milk  or Cream , leave for few seconds & take off stove.

TIPS : Add lil water while cooking,if gravy is too thick

Serve with roti, chapati , naan etc.

Tomato Kurma

My MIL, Ruth aunty's kurma & Selvan's favourite !

ingredients

Tomatoes (Big) - 5
Onion ( Big) - 3
G.Chillies - 8-10
Coriander Seeds - 100 gms (dry fry & grind)
            OR
Coriander Powder - 100 gms
Poppy seeds ( kasakasaa) - 1 tsp
Cinnamon sticks - 2 pieces
Cloves - 4-5
Garlic - 1 full
Oil - 3 tsp
Coconut ( small)  - 1/2 moodi
Turmeric - 1tsp
Salt - to taste
Coriander leaves - for garnish
Curry leaves -             "

METHOD

Step 1: First blanch tomatoes in boiling water , peel skin , mash & keep aside

Step 2: Peel garlic & grind to a fine paste along with poppy seed & keep aside

Step 3 : Grind coconut to a fine paste & keep aside

Step 4 : Dice onion & g.chillies finely & keep aside

Step 5 : Now, in a kadai ,pour oil, season with cinnamon sticks & cloves till they splutter, add g.chilly & onion & saute till it turns red. Then add mashed tomatoes, coriander powder, Garlic & poppy seeds paste, turmeric, salt ,mix well & allow it to cook for sometime. Finally after its done add coconut paste & allow it to boil once. Sprinkle curry & coriander leaves & close with lid for sometime before serving.
This yummy tomato korma goes well with chuda chuda Rice. Idly, Dosa,Poori or Chapati
According to Nikhil, it tastes like Sangeeta rests. korma !!