Spicy and sweet Karahi paneer with bell pepper

A kadai or karahi is a type of thick, circular and deep cooking pan used in Indian cuisine.  Traditionally made out of cast iron, karahi looks like woks with steeper sides.  The advantage of cooking in a karahi is that heat spreads evenly.  It retains heat for a longer time and that helps with the cooking.

This dish has paneer which is a great source of protein and calcium.  It contains vitamin D and B complex.  Paneer in moderation reduces the risk of developing insulin resistance syndrome.  It is good for stomach as it is easy to digest.

Other important ingredient in this dish is bell peppers.  These peppers are a rich source of vitamin C and A.  They contain capsaicin which has anti bacterial, anti carcinogenic and anti diabetic properties.  They have adequate levels of essential minerals like iron, copper, zinc, potassium, manganese, magnesium and selenium.

This karahi paneer and pepper dish can be cooked in different ways.  There is no limitation to what spice or condiment can be added.  What is important is that end result should be lip smacking and make your family and guests take second helpings.

Ingredients:

1 ½ cup Paneer(farmer’s cheese)cut into small cubes, 2 onions chopped finely, ¾ tsp ginger-garlic paste, 3 medium tomatoes( one chopped and two pureed), 3 green, yellow, red bell peppers washed and chopped into ½ inch pieces,  salt to taste, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp brown mustard seeds, ½ tsp red pepper powder, 2 tsp coriander powder,  ¾ tsp garam masala, ½ tsp turmeric powder, 1/ 2 cup tomato ketchup, 1 ½ tbsp cooking oil

Method:

Heat oil in a kadai. Put cumin seeds and followed by mustard seeds.  When they stop spluttering add ginger garlic paste and then chopped onions. 

When onion turns light brown, add chopped tomato, turmeric, salt and stir.

After two minutes add chopped bell peppers to this mixture.  It is your choice if you want to add just green peppers or yellow and red as well.  Different color peppers add to the look and the nutritional value of the finished dish but I had only green peppers at home so picture shows just that.

Once bell peppers turn little soft, add pureed tomatoes and cover the lid for two minutes.  Add coriander powder and red pepper powder.

Now add cubed paneer and gently mix. Add garam masala and at last add ketchup.

This dish will have slight gravy and sweet and spicy kick.

Enjoy hot with rice, chapati or Nan bread.