Crispy Paneer Fries
Crispy Paneer Fries offer vegetarians a delectable alternative that’s reminiscent of fried fish. Opting for a vegetarian lifestyle was my personal choice, and my husband’s unwavering support for giving up meat, which he cherished, was the ultimate sacrifice. While I’m not completely against meat, once you’ve experienced it, you seek alternatives that capture that familiar essence. So, I embarked on a mission to create dishes that resembled chicken, ensuring my husband didn’t feel like he was missing out on anything. I even crafted veg lollipops using cauliflower stalks as drumsticks and a veggie cutlet as the lollipop.
One day, with some homemade paneer (cottage cheese) on hand, I tried a crispy fried paneer recipe that looked, smelled, and tasted remarkably like boneless chicken or fish. Instead of making the typical paneer pakoras, I sprinkled besan (gram flour) over the paneer, added a hint of crushed garlic, and unlocked a surefire hit for any time of the day. These cheese fries are much healthier than potato fries.
Recipe for Crispy Paneer Fries:
Ingredients:
½ kg paneer, cut into long strips
1 tsp garlic paste
1 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp pav bhaji masala
A pinch of orange-red food colour
Salt to taste
2 tbsp gram flour
Oil for frying
Preparation:
Begin by marinating the paneer strips with salt, red chilli powder, pav bhaji masala, garlic paste, and food colour.
Apply the gram flour onto the paneer strips using wet fingers.
Allow the marinated paneer to rest for about half an hour.
Heat oil in a pan and fry the paneer until the outer layer becomes delightfully crisp.
Drain the fried paneer on paper towels, and for an extra burst of flavour, sprinkle a bit of chilli powder and pav bhaji masala.
Garnish with onion rings and a lemon wedge. Serve alongside green chutney dip or garlic sauce.
These Crispy Paneer Fingers are a treat for the taste buds – boasting a crunchy, spicy exterior and a melt-in-your-mouth core.
Conclusion:
Paneer is akin to eggs in its versatility – we incorporate into an array of dishes. From Paneer Dosa to Paneer Manchurian, the possibilities are endless. When seeking dishes that are both easy to cook and a joy to eat, Crispy Paneer Fingers are the answer you’ve been looking for.
