Shahi Corn-Paneer

Like most of us like having, certain staple ingredients in the pantry/ freezer.....I always have a pack of frozen paneer and some frozen naan/roti. Paneer subzi with naan is a big favorite for my little ones! Once in two weeks...we make a 'semi homemade' meal of  their favorite 'Shahi Paneer' or 'Orange bhaji' as they like to call it due to the orange hue the curry has :)  along with some store bought Naan.

Ingredients:
1 Cup cubed Paneer
1 cup corn kernels
1/2 Green pepper chopped into bite size pieces
Some dried cranberries, raisins and cilantro for garnish

Curry paste:
1 large onion chopped into large pieces
3 tomatoes chopped
1/2 cup cashews (or use some cashews and some almonds)
1/4 cup Heavy cream
2 tsp Ghee/butter
1tsp Shahi paneer masala/Kitchen king masala
1tsp sugar
1/2tsp red chili powder
1/2 tsp Garlic paste
1/2 tsp ginger paste
1/2tsp Shahi jeera
1/2tsp kasuri methi leaves
1 bay leaf
oil
salt


Method:
1) Heat 2-3 tsp oil, fry the chopped onion till golden brown.Add the tomatoes and fry till cooked. Let it cool down. Puree the onion and tomatoes along with cashews, ginger, garlic. Keep aside
2) Heat 2 tsp ghee, add shahi jeera, bay leaf, green pepper saute.Add the curry paste and cook for 3-4 mins.
3) Add the paneer cubes, corn, kitchen king masala, red chili powder,salt,sugar, heavy cream etc and let it simmer for 4-5 mins.
4) Garnish with kasuri methi, raisins, cranberries and chopped up cilantro.

Serve hot along with naan/ chapati/roti or rice!!

You will love the rich creamy gravy...a true 'shahi' experience!! 

Spinach-Arugula-Apple salad with Mango Vinaigrette and dried cranberries

Couple weeks ago, a friend had made a similar salad with Spinach-Arugula, pears, apples and with a Orange Vinaigrette dressing. We had loved the how the fruits and the fruity dressing pair well with the baby Spinach and arugula!!

So yesterday when, I found a fresh mix of baby spinach and arugula at the grocery store I couldn't wait to make the salad myself!!

Ingredients:
Baby spinach and Arugula
Sliced apples
Dried cranberries
Optional -toasted walnuts/ sunflower seeds

Dressing:
Mango vinaigrette: Mix 2 tsp olive oil+ 6 tsp mango juice+ 1 tsp apple cider vinegar..some salt,black pepper and italian seasoning..

Method:
Whisk everything together and pour over the greens and sliced apples. Top with dried cranberries/ nuts

Oats-Almond Breakfast bars (Eggless)

Honestly,breakfast is not a issue for me...I have a good breakfast of a 'non sugary' cereal and add almonds and frozen blueberries to it.Love it! Feels like a good way to start the day!
The issue is however, those 3-4 o' clock hunger pangs. I usually try to eat a fruit at that time, but often still feel hungry by the time I come home...especially with the 1 hour commute that I have.

I have experimented with several homemade versions of cereal/bars before and here is the link to those recipes:
http://www.my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/search/label/Homemade%20Cereal%20bars

For larabars:
http://www.my-kitchens-aroma.blogspot.com/2014/02/larabar-like-healthy-chocolate-bars.html

This Oats-Almond bar ....is easier, is eggless, has no added fats and can be rolled out as cookies too!! Just roll into round balls, press them and bake!

Here goes the recipe-

Ingredients: Makes 12-15 bars
2 cups Quick Oats dry roasted
2 cups Almonds
1 Cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4tsp salt
Few sliced almonds

Method:
Pre heat the oven to 350F. Spray a 9x9 metal pan with cooking spray (make sure to grease really well...otherwise the bars stick to the pan as there is no added fat in the dough)

1) Dry roast the oats and when cooled, powder them.
2) Put the almonds in the blender and powder them. Blend them couple times more..till they start giving out the natural oils and start to come together
3) Mix together the oat powder, almond powder, dark cocoa powder,baking powder, salt and vanilla. Mix with hands.Add little milk at a time to mix and gently knead into a dough.

4) Press this mixture into the greased baking pan. Press the sliced almonds on top.
5) Cut into rectangular bars
6) Bake at 350 F for 15 mins. Turn off the oven. Take the pan out.Let them cool for 10 mins.Cut again on the lines.Put the pan back in the oven (which is turned OFF) .The slight heat of the cooling oven will help them crisp a little. Keep them in for 10 mins. Take out the pan.Cut on the lines and remove the bars gently.

( I did have a couple bars break a little....but the crumbs were delicious too :))

You will love these nutty,chocolaty but still nutritious bars any time of the day!!!