Paneer Manchurian Pakoda

Continuing my Hakka Chinese series, the next recipe is Machurian Style Paneer Pakodas or Cottage Cheese Fritters Machurian Style. Normally, I would use the Chings Manchurian Masala mix, but this time I decided to make this from scratch. You can skip the deep frying with using an Air Fryer or bake it as well. However, once in a while giving a break to healthy eating, I love these pakodas deep fried. 
Tastes great with Spicy Basil Fried Rice. 

Paneer Manchurian Pakoda

Ingredients

Paneer Manchurian Pakoda

• 1 pack of Paneer or Cottage cheese. grated
• 1 carrot grated
• 1 bunch spring onions, finely chopped
• 7-8 french beans, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
• 2 green chillies, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp red chilly powder
• 2 tbsp Gram Flour or Besan
• 1 tsp Cornflour
• 1 tsp Soya Sauce
• Salt and Pepper to taste
  
• Oil for frying

Method

• In a large bowl, mix the paneer, veggies, ginger garlic paste, soya sauce, salt, and pepper and refrigerate
• When about to fry the pakodas, transfer the mixture to another bowl and remove the excess water the veggies leave due to the salt and make the mixture dry
• Add the besan and cornflour and make small rounded balls
• Heat oil and fry until golden brown
• Serve as is with ketchup or with a manchurian gravy

Paneer Manchurian Pakoda

Vanilla Cream cheese Cake

Not much of a baker myself, I need a strong reason to bake a cake at home and what better than my little one 6 month birthday or half birthday. I wanted to make it special for us and had a little celebration with papa mumma and baby. Some balloons, Mexican Enchilada for dinner and the Cake of course. Little one enjoyed playing with the balloons, while Papa and mumma enjoyed the delicacies.

Vanilla Cream Cheese Cake

A simple eggless vanilla cake with cream cheese frosting was a simple one to bake. I actually enjoyed it and am going to try more baking and improve my skills. You can use the ready cake mix for the base if lazy, but baking it from scratch gives another level of satisfaction.

Ingredients

For the cake base

• 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 tbsp Melted Butter
• 1 can of Condensed Milk
• 1 tsp Vinegar
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 2 tsp Vanilla Essence

For the frosting

• 1 packet of plain cream cheese
• 1 tbsp Sugar
• 1 tbsp Melted Butter
• 1 tsp Vanilla Essence
• 1 tsp Red Food Color

  

  Vanilla Cream Cheese Cake

  Method

• Grease a baking pan with butter and keep aside
• In a mixing bowl, add the all-purpose flour, butter, condensed milk, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla essence, vinegar and mix well with an electric mixer. Make sure no lumps are formed
• Pre-heat the oven to 400 F and bake the cake mix well for 30 mins. 
• Insert a toothpick to see if cooked well and let it cool completely once baked
• Meanwhile, in a bowl add all the ingredients of the frosting and beat well with an electric mixer for the desired consistency
• Add the filling to a piping bag and refrigerate
• Pipe in the desired shape you want and decorate the cake

Vanilla Cream Cheese Cake

 

Spicy Basil Fried Rice

Indian style Chinese or Hakka Chinese as it is known across North America is my favorite cuisine. Starting with the basic, I love making Spicy Basil Fried Rice and Manchurian with gravy. Full of flavor, this rice preparation is high on heat, but you can personalize it as per your taste.

Spicy Basil Fried Rice

Spicy Basil Fried Rice

Ingredients

• 1 cup Basmati Rice, boiled
• 1 cup mixed vegetables like Brocolli, red and green bell peppers, carrots, french beans, corn, diced
• 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped 
• 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
• 2 green chilies, finely chopped
• 7-8 Basil leaves, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp Red Chilly flakes
• 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Method

• In a wok, heat oil and add the red chilly flakes and basil leaves and fry well
• Add the green chilies and the ginger garlic paste and fry till golden brown
• Add the chopped onions and cook till translucent
• Add the chopped veggies, salt, and pepper and let the veggies cook
• Add the rice and mix well
• Lower the heat and let the flavors set in
• Garnish with a basil leaf and serve with your favorite gravy

Spicy Basil Fried Rice