Paneer Pakora

Pakoras are popular across Pakistan, where they generally resemble those found in India. They are sometimes served in a yoghurt based curry (salan), as a main dish, pakora kari, rather than as separate snacks. In this case the pakoras are generally doughier and are made of chopped potato, onion and chili mixed into the batter, instead of individual fried vegetable slices. Pakoras are also encountered in Afghan cuisine. In china they are called pakoda.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 15-20 peices

Ingredients

• 14 -16  slices panir (Cottage cheese)
• 2  tablespoons yogurt
• 4  tablespoons cornstarch
• 1  teaspoon ginger paste
• 1  green chili pepper, minced
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  tablespoon cilantro, finely chopped (coriander leaves)

• For Batter

• 1⁄2 cup  besan gram flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cumin seed
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
• 1  pinch baking soda
• 1⁄4 cup water

Directions

1. 1. First marinate the paneer- in a mixing bowl add yogurt, corn starch, salt, ginger, green chili and cilantro and mix it well. This should be consistency of soft paste. Add paneer pieces and mix gently. All the pieces should be coated with yogurt mix. Set aside for an hour or more.
2. 2. For batter mix besan, cumin seeds, salt and baking soda add water slowly to make a thick batter consistency of a paste.
3. 3. Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium high heat. Frying pan should have about 1 inch of oil. To check if the oil is ready, put one drop of batter in the oil. The batter should come up but not change color.
4. 4. Dip the marinated paneer slices in the batter one at a time and slowly drop into the frying pan.
5. 5. Fry the Pakoras in small batches. The pakoras will take about 4 to 5 minutes to cook.
6. 6. Turn them occasionally. Fry the Pakoras until both sides are golden-brown.
7. 7. Repeat this process. The crispy, delicious Paneer Pakoras are ready to serve.
8. 8. Serve with chutney.