Heavy dinner or lunch is not favorites among summer parties. Instead, I choose to have multiple appetizers or starters and sides. Even though they fill your tummy they don’t necessarily give the stuffed feeling. One of my all-time favorites for summer is minty pineapple paneer. Extremely healthy, it is very quick and easy with only 3- 4 simple and easily available ingredients like pineapple, paneer and mint leaves.

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

Difficulty: 2/10

Kitchen equipment:  Griddle or Grill and Blender

Ingredients:

-          Half pineapple

-          350 gm paneer

-          150 gm mint leaves

-          5 chillies

-          1/2 cup cilantro leaves

-          Salt to taste

-          2 tsp daliya (split Pea)

-          2 -3 tsp oil

Preparation:

1.       Make square pieces of paneer and pineapple separately.

2.       The size can be of your choice.

3.       Sprinkle salt and toss both in separate bowl.

4.       Heat griddle and add 1 tsp oil to grease the griddle

5.       Place paneer pieces evenly on griddle to grill on one side.

6.       Once golden brown, turn around and grill both sides.

7.       Repeat same process with pineapple pieces.

8.       Now in a blender add mint and cilantro leaves.

9.       Add chillies and salt per your taste and little water.

10.   Add sugar and daliya and blend to make thick paste.

11.   Now you can either mix the sauce with grilled pineapple and paneer to serve garnished with mint leaves.

12.   Or you can also serve paneer and pineapple with mint sauce on the side.

Tips:

-       You can use grill to smoke paneer and pineapple instead of griddle. Sometimes, I use readymade sev to make mint sauce instead of daliya (split pea). Do not add too many ingredients to the recipe so that the distinct taste of pineapple and smoked paneer blossoms with mint.

 

 

 

There are lots of recipes to make Poha traditional way but this recipe is inspired by south Indian style of making upma. Instead of using Raw soji/semolina, the main ingredient will be Poha. It is the best way to get quick and healthy breakfast yet interesting.

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Servings: 4

Kitchen instrument: Food Processor

Difficulty level: 3/10

Ingredient:

-          3 cups Poha

-          1 tsp chana dal (split pea)

-          1 tsp mustard seeds

-          2 tsp curry leaves

-          3 tsp green chilli paste

-          Salt per taste

-          Pomegranate

-          1 cup peanuts

-          1 cup sev (just for garnish)

-          3 tsp oil

-          1/2 tsp chilli powder

Preparation:

1.       Soak split pea for 10-15 mts

2.       Grind Poha in food processor to make coarse powder.

3.       Heat 2 tsp oil in pan and add curry leaves, chilli paste, mustard seeds and split pea.

4.       Add 3 cups of water and bring it to boil.

5.       Add salt per taste and add poha powder.

6.       Stir and mix well until water has evaporated.

7.       Now let it cool for few minutes until its warm enough for you to touch.

8.       Now make small balls from the mixture and put it on steamer to steam it for 5 to  8 minutes.

9.       You can serve it with ketchup or chatni.

10.   Alternatively, you can give it a shape of little cups by pressing the round bolls in the middle before putting on steamer.

11.   In a small pan, heat 1 tsp oil and roast peanuts until crisp. App. 10 mts on low heat.

12.   Now let it cool and then grind it to make coarse powder.

13.   Add salt and chilli powder and mix well.

14.   Now place steamed cups in a plate and garnish with Peanut mixture, Sevand pomegranate.

Tips:

-          While putting on steamer, make sure you grease the balls as it can become so dry. Also, you can add more water while cooking poha to keep the texture like loose dough.