Chilli Paneer dry/Paneer cheese in a spicy chilli soy sauce

o tantrums and food have any relation for you? Well, in my case, growing up they had quite a lot to do with each other. This is what my dear mom used to cook especially for me when me - the brat - used to tell her "mom, you don't love me anymore", count to her all the occasions when I was refused an ice-cream, a barbie doll, Shahrukh's poster and the bestest most expensive dress in the mall! She knew how to get me back to behaving normally... lol.

I love Chinese food but I have a certain (very strong) bias towards Indian-Chinese (aka indo-chinese) cuisine. We Indians have had a long-lived love affair with Chinese food. Long before pizzas, burgers and junk food became popular, it was Chinese food that most of us wanted when we craved something exotic and different. One may argue that Indo-chinese is not really chinese food as it is not very close to authentic chinese food. It has been totally adapted and re-flavored to suit an Indian palette. But hey, that is what fusion food is all about, right? Who knew the marriage of a little soy sauce with Indian spices could be so delicious! A big bright star of the Indian Chinese cuisine, featured on almost every menu of an Indian restaurant, be it upscale or roadside.

  

My favorites have always been the chilli and manchurian varieties. These dishes may be made with cauliflower, paneer or chicken and are extremely popular in India. The sauce has no basis in the historical Chinese cuisine. In India this ever popular dish is served at glamorous restaurants as well as by the street side vendors and is consumed with vigor and excitement among all class of people.

The paneer has a crispy coating and is tossed with a mouth-watering spicy sauce. These are perfect for appetizers or may even be served as a side dish. Use a toothpick or a fork as you please and enjoy with cocktails during or before a meal.

These are really easy to make at home, taste awesome and are always a big hit with guests. They are often paired with Chinese style fried rice. These are great for potluck parties and will be gone in seconds! I remember this was one of the few dishes we would expect to eat only in restaurants. Always thought it was too difficult to be made at home. Then one day mom got brave (that she always is and not just about food) tried it and it was an instant hit among family and friends. My brother and I could not wait for the next time she would make it - at times we would force her :)

Ingredients:

Paneer ................................. 2 cups cubed

Oil ...................................... for shallow frying

For the marinade/batter:

All-purpose Flour ..................... 1/4 cup

Corn Starch ........................... 2 tbsp

Rice flour .............................. 1 1/2 tbsp(optional)

Salt ..................................... 1/4 tsp

Black Pepper ......................... 1/2 tsp

Water ................................. 1/2 cup

Ginger garlic paste .................. 1/2 tsp

Soy sauce ............................. 1 tsp

1. To make batter, add all-purpose flour, corn starch, rice flour, soy, ginger garlic paste, salt, black pepper and water to a small bowl. Mix until there are no lumps to a thick batter.

2. Add the paneer and marinate for 20-25 minutes.In a shallow large pan add about 4-5 tbsp of oil and shallow fry, till golden.Drain on kitchen towel.

For the sauce-

Oil ....................................... 1 tbsp

Onion ................................... 1 small

Bell pepper ............................ 1 chopped
Ginger .................................. 1 inch piece grated
Garlic ................................... 4-5 chopped cloves
Black pepper powder ................ 1/8 tsp
Low sodium soy sauce ................ 2-3 tbsp or to taste
Tomato ketchup ....................... 2 tbsp
Chinese chilli sauce ................... 2-3 tsp or to taste
Spring onion ........................... 4 cut (save some of the green part for garnishing)
Water 1 tbsp mixed with 1 tsp cornstarch
Salt if needed

Method:

1. Heat oil in a medium frying pan on medium-high heat.

2. Add ginger, garlic and green chillies. Fry for about a minute while continuously stirring.

3. Add the green onions, onions and bell pepper. Stir and fry for about 1-2 min.

4. Add all the sauces (soy sauce, chilli sauce, ketchup). Mix well. . Mix well.  Add the paneer and mix. Keep mixing till the paneer is evenly coated with the sauce. Add the corn starch mix, n cook till thicken n no water is left. Remove from heat.

5. Garnish with green onions. Serve with Chinese fried rice or Chinese noodles or by itself. ENJOY!

Notes:

1. The taste of the sauce can vary on individual preferences, so feel free to adjust your soy sauce and chilli sauce to your liking by tasting it every now and then while cooking.
2. You can substitute paneer with tofu if you wish.

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