Matter Paneer Made Simple

One of my favorite types of foods is Indian food. I think about it and I start to drool. I love it! Indian cooking is one of the types of foods that I have little experience in and have lots to learn. When I saw this recipe made easy I couldn't help but go right out and find my ingredients. First thing is first when you look at the recipe do not be alarmed by the large number of ingredients. They are mostly spices. Give it a try and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Matter Paneer Made Simple
From: Vegetarian times magazine
30 minutes or less













What you'll need:
1 large onion, quartered
1 1/2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. whole brown mustard seeds (I couldn't find these so I used ground mustard seed)
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 bay leaf
1 clove garlic, minced (about 1 tsp.)
1 15-oz. can tomato sauce
2 tsp. ground coriander

1 tsp. garam masala (a blend of spices that I find at Hy-vee in the bulk foods section)
1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. paprika
1 10-oz. pkg. frozen peas, thawed
3 Tbs. reduced-fat sour cream
1/4 tsp. sugar
1 8-oz. pkg. paneer (this is a type of cheese)

What you'll do:
1. Purée onion in food processor.
2. Heat oil in pot over medium heat. Add mustard seeds, cumin, and bay leaf.
Cook 1 minute, or until fragrant.

3. Add onion and garlic, and sauté 5 to 7 minutes, or until browned.

 Stir in tomato sauce, coriander, garam masala, turmeric, salt, and paprika. Simmer 10 minutes,

or until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally. Add up to 1/2 cup water if sauce is

too thick.

4. Stir in peas, sour cream, and sugar. Simmer 5 minutes, or until peas are heated
through.
5. Fold in paneer, and cook 3 minutes more. Remove bay leaf, and serve hot with
basmati rice or naan bread.

Serves 4

Notes:
*Cut the paneer into small cubes so they become well mixed into the matter.
*If you are feeling up to it try making your own Paneer Cheese, I'd like to do this soon!
*rating 3.75/5

Blue chesse pecan salad

This recipe was inspired by my trip to Lanesboro, MN this last summer. What did I learn, salad is what you make of it. This salad's ingredients hit on many of the food groups you need each day and will also fill you up. It makes a great weeknight super or is easy to pack for a quick filling lunch.
Blue cheese pecan salad
What you'll need:
*Your favorite lettuce or spinach mix (note this could be as simple as a head of iceberg chopped up)
*Blue cheese
*Pecans chopped into bite sized pieces
*Raspberry walnut vinaigrette
*Optional: raisins, and/or an apple chopped into bite sized pieces

How to make it: 

1. Add all ingredients together, with as much or little as you like. Enjoy!

Notes:

*This is a Kristel original salad combination.

*When taking salad in your lunch take a separate container for the dressing so your salad doesn't get soggy. Add in right before you eat.

totellini casserole

You’ll need:

*1 bag frozen cheese tortellini

*1 jar alfredo sauce OR 1 jar tomatoe based pasta sauce

*You favorite vegetables such as bell pepper, mushrooms, tomatoes, etc chopped into bite sized pieces

*16 oz shredded cheese (your favorite white cheese such as mozzarella)

In a 13X9 casserole dish layer your ingredients in this order:

        *All frozen tortellini

        *Your chopped vegetables

        *Your chosen sauce either alfredo or tomato based pasta sauce

        *Your cheese

Make sure to spread all of the layers out so you get an even taste of all ingredients

Bake at 375 for about 25 minutes until the cheese is melted and brown

Notes:

*Thanks to Jenny who gave me the idea to get started creating this one!
*This is a Kristel original recipe.

*It makes great left overs for lunch.
*It is an easy weeknight meal as you can go from making to table in about 30-35 minutes