Making Paneer [Cottage Cheese]

Hi ,
The reason why I thought of sharing this simple way of making paneer is because many of us find it easier to pick it off the shelf. I did too... But now 8 out of 10 times I use home made paneer  primarily because its healthier, more hygienic. And we eat quite a bit of paneer in our meals so thats important for me. Also it is a great source of protein [for the health conscious]. Believe me , its really ez and once you've tried it a couple of times its a breeze!
One thing you need is a small muslin bag so that the process becomes really ez and non-messy. If you dont then a muslin/ thin cotton cloth will suffice.
Here goes...

•  2 1/2 litres of milk
• 1 tsp of citric acid or juice of two lemons

Bring the milk to a boil. Turn the burner knob to sim. Stir in either the powdered citric acid or the lemon juice. As soon as the milk curdles, turn off the gas. Transfer this into the bag and pour some cold[room temprature] water on it. Tighten the bag and keep it on a flat surface. Now place a weighty object for eg. your tava[griddle] or chakla on it for about 1 hr to press out the remaining water and get a neat slab of paneer.

Adding a Cocktail twist- To the curdled milk add some chopped onion, chopped tomato. red chilli or black pepper powder.  Then follow the same procedure. Once the paneer is set, cut it into cubes. You can dot each peice with coriander/mint chutney/ketchup and serve it for breakfast or with the evening drinks. Enjoy it.

Yoghurt Discs

Hey All,
Staying true to my URL 'ezcooking' here's one more of a real quick 'n ez recipe. Use it for brekka or tea-time or any time you need a filler.Its also great for kids.
For the Yoghurt Discs you need:

• 
  
  1/2cup         Hung youghurt*
• 
  
  1/2           Capsicum finely chopped
• 
  
  1              Onion finely chopped
• 
  
  1 tb sp     Fresh cream [malai]
• 
  
  1 1/2 tsp  Roasted semolina [suji]
• 
  
  1/2 tsp     Black Pepper
• 
  
  to taste    Salt
• 
  
  1/4cup     Paneer [optional]
• 
  
  8 slices    Bread
• 
  
  a few      Curry leaves chopped
• 
  
  1tsp        Mustard seeds[rai] for sprinkling

1. Mix all the ingrediants from curd to paneer.
2. Take each bread slice and cut out neat roundels/discs using a sharp edged steel tumbler or a small bowl. Put the slice on a chopping board or any flat surface, then holding the glass upside down press into the bread slice. 
3. Spread out the yoghurt mix on one side of each bread disc.
4. Garnish with slivers of curry leaves and mustard seeds. 
5. Heat a griddle [tava] and spread a little bit of ghee or butter.
6. Put each slice on the tava , first with the spread side down . Cook both sides tll crisp and brown.
7. Serve with coriander chutney.

*For hung yoghurt : Put the curd in a muslin cloth and let hang till all the water content is separated.

Potato n Cheese Bites

Hallo again!
This is another very easy recipe for a cocktail or tea snack. You can prepare the bite-sized cutlets in advance and keep them refrigerated for even upto a day.
Ingredients:

• 3big           boiled potatoes
• 3cubes       processed cheddar cheese grated
• 1/2 small    capsicum chopped finely 
• 1 tsp          cornflour
• 4 tbsp        bread crumbs
• 1/2 tsp       black pepper powder
• 1-1 1/2tsp  salt
•                   oil for deep frying

1.Grate the potatoes.
2. Add the cornflour,2 tbsp. of bread crumbs, the seasoning and mix well.
3.Divide the mix into about 20 equal portions.
4.Take each portion in your palm and flatten into small disc.
5.Place some grated cheese and a bit of the chopped capsicum in the centre and close it. Now pat it into a neat cutlet [of any shape you like] and roll it in the remaining bread crumbs.
Its ready for deep frying.
If you wish to use it later then grease a container, place the cutlets in it and refrigerate.

Gift for a newborn

Hi,
My neighbours were blessed with a baby boy last month. I was looking for an appropriate gift so I went to 'Vividha' bangalore. Its a great store for little kids-they have some lovely really colourful stuff .... baby sheets, bags for toys, stationary items etc. I picked up a baby wrap with a matching diaper stacker[I just made up that word , dont know whats it actually called].The store is now my first stop everytime I need something for a little one.
P.S. This is NOT a promotional article, only my personal view.