Sumptuous treat
Poonam Bindra
At the Tata-i-Shakti Masala contest, it was not only the fair ladies who came forward but some men who showed their expertise. A Ludhiana resident, Raman Kumar, was adjudged the first runner-up by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor. Cooking innovative dishes is a hobby for Raman, who is into printing business. “It was my daughter, who studies class 6th, who encouraged me to take part in this competition and helped to complete all the formalities,” he says and adds, “I want to help today’s children keep away from junk food and try to make Indian dishes with the Western taste, so that they savour the best of both the worlds.”
Raman also shares his prize winning recipe with us!
Paneer bhurji with channa masala and Indian bread
Ingredients for four servings
For the Paneer Bhurji
- Grated paneer - 200 grams
- Ghee - 1/2 tsp
- Whole jeera - 1/2 tsp
- Chopped green chilli - 2
- Chopped onion - 1
- Chopped tomato - 1
- Curd - 1 1/2 tbsp
- Fresh cream - 3 tbsp
- Chopped green coriander - for garnishing
Method
Heat ghee in a pan, add whole jeera and stir till it crackles. Add the onion and saute till it turns brown. Add the tomato and cook till tender. Then add the curd and stir for 2-3 minutes. Add the grated paneer, stir for three minutes and set aside.
For the tadka
- Ghee - 1/2 tsp
- Paneer masala - 1/2 tsp
- Salt - to taste
- Tata i-Shakti red chilli powder - 1/4 tsp
- Tata i-Shakti haldi powder - 1/2 tsp
Method
- Take the ghee in a small pan. Add all the dry masalas and stir till they change colour. Pour this on the main paneer dish. Cook on low heat.
- Put the main dish back on slow heat. While stirring, add the cream. Remove from fire and garnish with green coriander.
For the chana
- Overnight soaked and boiled white gram - 200 gm
- Ghee - 1 1/2 tsp
- Whole jeera - 1/2 tsp
- Chopped onion - 1
- Chopped tomato - 1
- Bolied Peas/Fresh Mushroom/Sweet Corn/Baby Corn - 20 gm
- Chana Masala - 1/2 tsp
- Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp
- Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
- Beaten curd - 1 1/2 tbsp
- Salt to taste
- Chopped Green coriander - for garnishing
Method
Remove the water from the boiled white gram and set aside. Heat ghee in a pan; add the whole jeera and stir till it crackles. Then add the chopped onion and fry till it changes colour. Add the tomato and keep stirring till it grows soft. Add all the dry masalas to this and keep stirring. Add a little water in case the mixture starts to stick to the pan. Then add the beaten curd and stir. Once a little thick, add the boiled white gram and your choice of boiled peas/fresh mushroom/sweet corn/baby corn. Take off the fire and garnish with green coriander.
Indian bread
Take adequate number of plain bread slices. Cut them into roundels with a cutter. Lightly roast in a pan. Serve with the paneer bhurji and chanas.
