Methi Malai Matar

Methi Malai Matar: This is a popular dish from North India. It's essential flavors are a combination of sweetness, spiciness and creaminess. It's prepared by simmering fenugreek leaves and peas in a rich cream sauce. Typically served with Roti/Naan.


Ingredients:

- 1 bundle of methi (fenugreek leaves that you can get in any ethnic Indian store)
- 1/2 cup green peas (frozen)
- 1 cup of half&half milk or fresh cream
- 1 small onion
- 3 to 4 green chilies
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 tbsp of cashews
- 1 tbsp of oil
- 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp of sugar
- salt


Preparation:

- Wash the methi leaves thoroughly. Add a pinch of salt and set aside for about 5 minutes.
- Thaw the green peas using warm water or by putting them in a microwave for 15-20 seconds.
- Mix the chopped onion, green chilies, garlic and cashews in a grinder and grind them to a fine paste.
- Squeeze water from the methi/fenugreek leaves and set them aside in a dish.
- Heat oil in a pan. Add the paste and saute on medium heat till the paste turns slightly brownish.
- Put in the methi leaves and add salt. Cook the leaves till they are tender.
- Add the half&half milk or cream.
- Add the peas.
- Add some sugar and let the mixture simmer on low heat till the gravy acquires a thick consistency.
- Remove in a serving bowl and serve hot with Rotis/Naan. This preparation serves 2.

Chocolate Phirni

Chocolate Phirni: Phirni is an ancient rice/vermicelli pudding popular in the Muslim community of Northern India as well as in the neighboring countries of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Chocolate is a recent addition to this traditional dish giving it a soft consistency and that special "chocolatey" deliciousness.

Ingredients:

- 1/2 cup rice (You can use any short-grained rice like sona masuri or arborio)
- 8 cups of whole milk
- 3 tbsp of chocolate syrup or melted chocolate
- 4 to 5 tbsp of sugar (adjust as per the sweetness after adding the chocolate syrup)
- 1 tsp of cardamom powder
- 1 tsp of milk masala
- 1 tsp of finely chopped roasted pistachios & finely chopped/grated chocolate


Preparation:

- Soak the rice in some warm water for about 30 minutes.
- Take the milk in a non-stick pan and let it simmer on medium heat.
- Coarse grind the soaked rice.
- Once the milk starts boiling add in the grinded rice.
- Keep stirring the milk till the rice gets fully cooked.
- Add in the sugar.
- After the sugar melts, add in the cardomom powder, milk powder and the chocolate syrup.
- Mix and stir well.
- Remove in a bowl and garnish with chopped pistachios and grated/chopped chocolate.
- Phirni is ready. This preparation serves 4.

Palak Paneer

Palak Paneer: This is a popular North Indian preparation. It consists of pureed Spinach and cubes of paneer (fresh cheese commonly found in South asian cuisine) simmered in a thick curry sauce. It's simple yet delicious and is quite popular all over western and northern India as a potluck/party dish. Its usually served with naan/roti or Basmati rice.

Ingredients:

- 2 bunches of Spinach
- 150 gms Paneer cut into small even sizes cubes
- 2 big cloves of garlic (mashed)
- 1 tsp of cumin seeds
- 3 tbsp of oil
- 4 green chilies
- oil
- 2 tbsp of fresh cream
- salt
- 1 cup of water


Preparation:

- Remove the stems of the spinach and wash them with water.
- Boil the spinach and blanch with cold water.
- Drain the excess water out of the spinach.
- In a blender, add the spinach/green chilies and puree the mixture.
- Heat the oil in a wok/kadhai. Once heated, fry the Paneer cubes till golden brown.
- Remove the fried paneer on a paper napkin.
- Heat 3 tbsp of oil in a pan. Once hot, put cumin seeds in it. After they start sputtering, put in the mashed garlic.
- After sauteing the garlic for a few seconds, add in the spinach puree. Add salt and stir the mixture. Add in a cup of water and mix well.
- Once the gravy comes to a boil, mix the fried paneer cubes.
- Add the fresh cream and let simmer for a few minutes.
- Remove in a bowl and serve hot with Basmati rice or roti/naan. This preparation serves about 4.