Paneer aur anjeer ki sabji (Paneer with dried figs in yogurt sauce)

The Sunday newspaper comes with interesting culinary articles in the supplementary section. These articles are about particular cuisines, new trends in culinary world, particular ingredients and so on. A place to get interesting ideas. And this is where I got the concept of this particular dish, from a article talking about typical cuisine of the Marwari sect of India. The idea of combining paneer, yogurt, chili, and sweet dried figs sounded very unusual and interesting. Even while cooking I was not sure of the outcome. There was not really any harmony of flavors at the initial tastings. And then slowly everything blended well and the dish was a harmony of sweet-tart-hot flavor with the chunks of creamy paneer. An unusually interesting dish it is to serve with rice.

You can print the recipe for your kitchen here: PRINTABLE RECIPE

INGREDIENTS:

(Serves 2)

100g paneer

100g dried figs

1 pinch asafetida powder

1 pinch cumin powder

Oil

Coriander leaves – garnish

Yogurt mix:

180g yogurt

1sp red chili powder

1 pinch turmeric powder

Salt

METHOD:

1.      Fry the paneer cubes until golden brown. Put them in salted hot water for a couple of minutes and take them out.

2.      Cut the dried figs in halves and blanch them.

3.      Mix well all the ingredients of the yogurt mix.

4.      Heat oil in a wok. Temper the oil with asafetida and cumin powder.

5.      Add the yogurt mixture and 1/4 cup of water.

6.      Simmer for a while. Add the paneer and dried figs.

7.      Simmer for 3-4 minutes more.

8.      Serve garnished with chopped coriander leaves.