Paneer Matar Makhaana (Cottage Cheese with puffed lotus seeds)

Hi Friends,
Makhaana is a part of LOTUS PLANT. Once the seed is roasted then it is consumed either as snack or as dessert. In Northern region it is cooked with cheese. It is offered to God or Goddess during festivals both as PRASAD or as garlands.

I tried this MAKHAANA recipe for the first time. It was a huge hit at my place. 
Sharing the recipe with you all....

Ingredients:

• 200 gm paneer (cottage cheese)
• 1 cup peas (frozen or fresh)
• 1 cup Makhaanas (Puffed Lotus Seeds)
• 2 onions (paste)
• 3 tomatoes (pureed)
• 3/4 cup grated Khoya (dried whole milk)
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 green chilies
• 10-12 cashew nuts
• 1/2 tbsp coriander powder
• 1/4 tsp red chilly powder
• 1/2 tbsp garam masala
• 1/4 tbsp kitchen king powder
• Salt acc.to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing (finely chopped)
• Oil 

Method:

• Take a non stick pan, shallow fry makhaana and cashew-nuts till they turn light brown, both in separate batches.
• Remove from pan.
• Boil peas (if using fresh) no need to boil frozen one.
• Heat 4 tbsp of oil, add onion and ginger-garlic paste. Mix well.
• Saute till the paste becomes light brown in colour.
• Add tomato paste and mix nicely. Bhuno till oil separates.
• Add all the dry masalas except salt. Mix nicely.
• Add khoya, saute for few mins.
• Add paneer, peas, cashews and makhaanas.
• Add enough water to get thick gravy.
• Cook on low flame till makhaanas turn soft.
• Remove from fire.
• Serve hot with chapatis, garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Sending this recipe to 

Jagruti's Event and Nivedhanam's Blog