Due to a strict diet imposed on my in-laws by their doctor, I am always looking out for healthier and low cal version of other recipes. I thought of making a light panner curry for my father-in-law as we both love it. Unfortunately, my MIL and my hubby dear belong to different planet and don’t quite like it. I am paneer lover to the core and I can swear by its taste in whatever recipes that comes in front of me but what do you do when you badly want to eat one and there is none at home. Huh! Sulking is the only way I guess. To make the matter even worse let me blurt out the reality. I had gone to the supermarket, was wondering of eating paneer curry throughout the shopping, went to the dairy section and picked few packs but when I came back home, I realized that it was not paneer. Holy Cow! (After getting bugged by the Kolaveri song, I love to use this often) I had picked tofu but missed the paneer. Awwww! But because I was mad enough, I decided, no matter what, I am going to make something out of it.
photo by Neetu N |
Ingredients:
photo by Neetu N |
200 grms tofu cut in cubes
1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
1 cup finely chopped onions
1 cup tomato chopped
1 ts ginger grated
1 tbs green chillies chopped
2 tbs garlic crushed
1 bay leaf
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp black pepper powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp coriander powder
½ tsp garam masala powder
1 tsp whole cumin seeds
1 tbs oil
Fresh green coriander leaves for garnishing
photo by Neetu N |
Method: Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and let it splutter. Add chopped ginger, bay leaf and green chillies. Vary the amount of the green chillies according to the heat. Saute for few seconds. Add the chopped onion and sauté. Lower the flame and cover with a lid for 2 min. Now add the peas, cumin and coriander powder and sauté on medium flame for a min till the raw aroma is gone. Add the chopped tomatoes, garlic, salt, turmeric powder and black pepper powder. Give it a good mix gently and cover with the lid for 5 min. You will see that the oil has started to surface. If not them cover for 2 more min. The oil proves that the raw masalas are cooked properly. Now add 1 ½ cups of water and bring to a boil. Add the tofu cubes and let it simmer for a min. Add garam masala. Serve garnished with green coriander leaves. This recipe gives a thin gravy and is a healthy and quick option for the spicy and rich curries.