Thursday 19 July 2012

NUTTY PANEER BITES (COTTAGE CHEESE)

Many years ago I created this starter for a surprise party that I was throwing for my husband.
No it wasn't any of those landmark birthdays but just one between them. Everybody throws landmark ones but the fun is in those in-between ones, and in those 'No-Reason Parties'.
As for every party, I need to create something new, I made these Nutty Paneer Bites and rolled them inside strips of grilled red and yellow capsicum/bell peppers and tied them together with beautiful chives and grilled them in the oven till light spots appeared. Sadly, this is the one recipe I mentioned in my earlier post Cheesy Potato And Chive Scones that almost labelled me a copy-cat without being one.


nutty paneer bites with mint chutney
Adding nuts to this dish packs it with the micronutrients, macronutrients and antioxidants that we need for an healthy life.
Cashews contain a high level of oleic acid, present in olive oil and other monounsaturated fats, that is good for the cardiovascular health.
Just 1/4th cup of cashews everyday :
.Can give you approx 35 to 40% of the daily requirement of copper which helps in absorption of iron
 in the body and is known to reduce colon related illnesses, osteoporosis and has many more benefits.
.Can give approx. 25% of the daily Magnesium requirement that helps to balance the calcium and
 regulates nerve and muscle tone.
.Though, they do contain oxalates which are known to interfere with calcium absorption if the oxalates
 become concentrated in the body fluids, a good amount of chewing and relaxation can help in calcium
 absorption.

Almonds contain vitamin E and are also known for keeping the blood sugar under control.
Almond skins contain flavonoids. Both together increase the resistance of the low density lipo-proteins(LDL) to oxidation. They also contain magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, copper, vitamin B2 and many other nutrients.

Ingredients:
.Paneer(cottage cheese) slab........400g

For the marinade:
.Cashew nuts.................................3Tbsp., chopped
.Almonds.......................................3Tbsp., chopped
.Pistachio nuts...............................3Tbsp., chopped
.Green chili....................................1/2tsp., finely chopped
.Coriander leaves...........................2Tbsp., finely chopped
.Garlic............................................1/2 tsp., finely chopped
.White vinegar................................2Tbsp.
.Salt................................................1 tsp.
.Red chili powder..........................1/2 tsp.
.Garam masala powder..................1/2 tsp.
.Dry raw mango powder................2 tsp.

Method:
.Rinse a store bought slab of fresh cottage cheese.

For the marinade:
.Mix the ingredients for the marinade.
.Cover the slab with this marinade so that all the paneer slab is well coated from all sides by the nuts.
.Marinate in the refrigerator for 7 to 8 hours or overnight.

How to proceed:
.Heat a griddle or a non-stick flat pan. Add 1 tsp. of oil.
.Gently place the paneer slab on the hot griddle.
.Cook on low to medium heat till the nuts are toasted.
.Repeat on all 6 sides.
.Remove on a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.
.Cut into 1x2inch pieces and serve hot with mint chutney or set aside for use in other recipes(to follow).

nutty paneer bites
Note: .These nutty paneer bites can be used in a vegetable curry preparation or added to the fried rice or
 just eaten with a dip as a starter. It can be added to sandwiches and salads too.
.Wrap them in strips of roasted red bell pepper and tie it up together with chives and grill in a hot oven
 till brown spots start to appear.

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