Paneer-o-mania

It's been a week since I actually cooked. I had been terribly lazy and was actually eating curd rice for lunch and dosa for dinner almost all week. And ever since I started writing here, I feel guilty if I don't cook.

So yesterday, with the IPL finals and Monaco race and French Open happening, I was suddenly in a mood to put some effort towards making today's lunch. Well, yeah, I prep things ahead, usually the previous night, because the mornings are rushed and I like my precious time early morning to sit in the balcony and sip my coffee, and dream dreamy things.

I raided my fridge and found a pack of paneer wanting to be picked up. Fine, I love paneer and have made it many times in the past (especially for S) but I certainly was in no mood to make matar paneer, aloo matar paneer, paneer butter masala or any other such variation. Naturally I googled to see if I can find some interesting paneer recipe.

Now, I made this dish, because I was stunned, not by the dish, but by the name - Embassy Paneer. DUH, Seriously? I tried to get the etymology and all I could find was variations of this recipe, but no history of the incident or geography of the accident. Perhaps, they made this at all embassies? Or was it a standard menu at most parties? If any of you know, do please let me know.

Here's how we make it

Chop paneer into cubes. Melt about 2 tbsp butter in a kadai, add finely chopped onions, ginger, 2 green chillies and saute until translucent. Add 1/2 tsp maida, mix well and cook for a minute or so. Mix 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup water, add to the onion mixture, and stir well. It would take a few minutes for it to thicken, and once it does, add a couple of finely chopped tomatoes, 1/2 tsp ground pepper and salt, and cook for a few minutes. Add the cubed paneer and mix well. 


Finally add 1/2 tsp garam masala and chilli powder and finely chopped coriander. 


Serve hot with chapatis.


Note: You can make variations by adding mushrooms, capsicum and perhaps peas? 
Note 2: My measurements aren't exact; (er... the measurements of the ingredients, I mean) I don't go by tsp or gms, it's more of what feels right. So you might want to alter this to suit your taste buds ! :-)

I must have been really adventurous last night to even think of making something so outrageous, but surprisingly it turned out pretty well. (Obviously, else I wouldn't have blogged about it). And it was absolutely perfect for lunch today.