Cooking on your own for surprise visitors is not that difficult. Here are five recipes for a complete meal, comprising a starter, main course vegetable, Pulav, Raita and a simple dessert.
Paneer Makhanwala
~Ingredients
250 gm paneer
1 large onion, minced
200 gm tomato puree
200 gm fresh cream
2-3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves or kasoori methi
1/2 tsp red chilly powder
1/2 tsp garam masala powder
1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
1 tsp sugar
Salt to taste
Method
In a saucepan, add three cups of water. Turn off the heat once the water gets hot.
Add paneer pieces in this water and keep aside. (Soaking in hot water makes the paneer soft.)
Melt butter in a pan.
Add tomato puree and minced onion. Saute till oil separates from this paste.
Add kasoori methi, salt as per taste, sugar and red chilly powder.
Simmer for four to five minutes.
Add cream and garam masala powder and cook for two to three minutes.
Drain the water from the paneer.
Add the paneer pieces and cook for a minute.
Serve hot, garnished with coriander.
Text and images: Sheetal Mahurkar
Sheetal, 28, works as a software professional with an American media house in Pune, and loves cooking.
Also read: Perfect food for the winter
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