About the Recipe
We eat this sumptuous curry when we feel like being spoilt. Paneer is compacted milk curds that can be made at home (by curdling milk with vinegar or lemon juice, straining and compacting), or it can be purchased ready-made. You can substitute it with pan fried or roasted tofu, soya chicken or chickpeas. Green beans can be substituted with a green or red bell pepper. This gives a very different but equally delicious result.
To adapt the recipe for baby, cook with mild masala and reduce or omit cayenne pepper. Cook till carrots and green beans are soft. Mash and serve with baby cereal or rice. Delicious for the whole family!
Ingredients
1 medium onion
butter
3 cloves garlic
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
1/2 to 1 tsp masala or curry powder (to preference)
2 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
2 carrots
About 8 green beans (or 1 green or red bell pepper)
5 medium tomatoes
2 cups paneer cheese (cubed) (Alternatively, use soya chicken, tofu, or cooked chickpeas)
cream or coconut cream or coconut milk
Preparation
Step 1
Finely chop 1 medium onion. Fry on medium or medium-low heat with 1 tablespoon butter for a few minutes till translucent. Add 3 chopped or grated cloves of garlic. Fry for another minute.
Step 2
Add 2 more tablespoons butter, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional), tsp masala or curry powder, 2 tsp coriander powder, tsp cumin powder and a tsp of fresh or dried curry leaves (optional). Fry this for at least 4 minutes on medium-low heat, stirring regularly (be aware that undercooked spices can cause indigestion and that overcooked spices become bitter).
Step 3
Add 2 chopped carrots, chopped green beans (if you are using the bell pepper instead of green beans, then add that, in the next step). Add salt and allow to cook with the lid on.
Step 4
Peel, de-seed and blend 5 tomatoes in the food processor or blender (see page 49 for methods of how to peel tomatoes). Process till smooth. When vegetables have begun to soften, add the pureed tomatoes (and bell peppers if using). Add more salt and allow to simmer for a few more minutes.
Step 5
Add in 2 cups paneer cheese cubes. Allow to cook till vegetables have softened completely and paneer has heated up well. Add in a dash of cream, or coconut cream/milk.