Simple Meals and a Vanilla and Coconut Oat Pudding

When I mentioned in my last post about experimenting with a low carb routine , I received many lovely comments from friends and readers about this bold step into the uncertain land :). Diet of any form is exceedingly difficult to stick to, because, inherently, it is a restraining order and all you want to do is break free!

But, I find that the urge to cut loose sedates with time and it becomes easier to accept and adapt. I know all this sounds philosophical but when food is life, well, the lines tend to merge more often than not. Anyway, what I meant to say was that life without pasta seems a bit easier now, than it did 20 days ago, when I first thought up my experiment.



That is not to say, it has been smooth sailing. There have been days, when I just haven't had the energy to make fresh rotis and I get very close to unresolving and falling back on rice or a convenient pasta meal. But, so far, I have managed to somehow stay on course, albeit dithering here and there :)

So, I make simple meals that are roti friendly and yet indulgent enough to make up for the "compromise". One such that is Paneer Makhanwala.



The indulgence starts with making the fresh cheese, which, is then fried in ghee (clarified butter) to brown, and continues into the rich gravy that the cheese nestles in and soak flavor from. The curry itself is loaded with fresh ground masala and as the name says, Makhan.. Butter! :)

Still, it is anything but a heavy dish, especially when made at home. It has the right balance of special and light making it great for a weeknight dinner or for company.



To finish, I served this easy Oat Pudding flavored with Vanilla and Coconut enhanced by a cannelle of honeyed ricotta and a dressing of green grapes. It started with a sudden craving for warm oatmeal but one that hit too late for breakfast and too close to lunch. So, I decided to make it simply dessert, not too sweet and quite heart healthy too!




Vanilla and Coconut Oat Pudding
(serves 2)

3/4 cup rolled oats
1.5 cups milk
1/2 tsp vanilla paste
3 T sweetened shredded coconut
2 tsp sugar (more per taste)
1/4 tsp salt
4 tsp ricotta cheese
1 tsp honey
fresh fruit

Bring the oats, milk and coconut to a boil. Add the sugar and salt and cook on medium low, stirring occasionally, until the oats are cooked and the mixture is of pudding consistency, about 10-15 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the vanilla. Divide into two bowls. Whip the ricotta and honey to a smooth mixture and add a cannelle of it to each bowl. Sprinkle fresh fruit and serve.



Paneer Makhanwala

1 cup fresh paneer cubes (1 inch) {Prerna has a great tutorial on her blog for making fresh paneer}

1 large onion, diced
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 inch chunk ginger, chopped
2 large, ripe tomatoes, diced
1 T tomato paste
5 whole cloves
1 stick cinnamon
5-6 whole peppercorns
1 star anise
2 small bay leaves
3-4 dry red chillies (medium spice)
1 T coriander seeds
1 T cumin seeds
1 tsp ground turmeric
2 tsp chilli powder (optional)
2 tsp dried fenugreek leaves (methi)
1/2 cup water
3 T butter
1/3 cup milk
salt, ghee and oil as needed

Dry roast the whole spices and set aside in the processor. In a little butter, saute the onions, garlic, ginger and tomato until soft. Set aside for a few minutes to cool. Add to the processor and grind to a smooth puree with the spices.

Heat 2 tablespoons of butter with 2 tablespoons of oil. Return the ground mixture to the pan and roast for a few minutes until the oil separates from the mixture. Add the ground turmeric and chilli powder if using and salt to taste. Add tomato paste and roast for a few minutes. Add water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cover.

In a pan, saute the paneer cubes in ghee to brown and crisp all sides. When the paneer is ready, add the milk and remaining butter to the curry. Gently lay the paneer into the simmering mixture, cover and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and cook for 5 -10 minutes. Gently stir in the dried fenugreek taking care to not break the cheese cubes.

Garnish with cilantro and serve with fresh rotis.