Cottage Cheese and Peas in Savory Tomato Sauce With Potato Puffs (Muttar Paneer with Aloo Kachori)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, Everybody!!:)

I'm Thankful for my family, 

for they love and cheer me unconditionally,

Sisters that are forever friends and,

friends with whom my family extends,

Husband is kind and caring too,

life with him seems like a dream and so untrue,

With a Son in our life my family is complete,

a feeling that can not be beat! 

How was everybodys Thanksgiving? We dont celebrate it in India...but I feel it is nice to say "Thanks" to the people whom you appreciate in you life. Apart form eating, drinking and having fun, I know what we all look forward to is a day of shopping!! This year I think that the stores have gone wild....they are starting their sale at Midnight!! Every year it seems like they move the clock back an hour! LOL!!

Today I made Cottage Cheese and Peas in Savory Tomato Sauce with Potato Puffs! That turned out way better than I had expected. And it was quick too! Thats the best part:)) Cottage cheese with peas in savory tomato sauce has a rich and creamy texture because of milk and cashews. Cashews can be substituted with sesame seeds if needed. Puffs are filled with potatoes and have a flaky crunchy crust. Puffs can also be made for breakfast.

Cottage Cheese with Peas in Savory Tomato Sauce: (Muttar Paneer with Aloo Kachori)

Serves: 4
Cooking Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:
1 Cup Cottage Cheese cut in 1/2" cubes
1/2 Cup Peas
2 tbsp Tomato Paste
8-10 pcs of Cashew ( or 2 tbsp of Sesame Seeds) soaked in 2 tbsp Milk
1 small Onion
1 clove of Garlic
1/2 inch Ginger
1 tbsp Oil
1/2 tsp Chilli Powder
1/2 tsp Garam Masala
1/4 tsp Turmeric (Haldi)
A Squirt of Secret Ingredient! HUSH!!
Salt to Taste

Method:

1. Soak Cashew for couple hours in warm Milk.
2. Blend soaked cashew along with the milk, onion, ginger, garlic, tomato paste, to a paste. Add water as needed.
3. In a Wok add oil. Saute Peas and Cottage Cheese for a minute.
4. Add paste. Stir and bring to boil.
5. Stir in turmeric, salt, chilli powder and garam masala.
6. Squirt of Secret Ingredient ...guess what?!! TOMATO KETCHUP....yes, you read it right!
7. Bring to boil. Garnish with chopped cilantro 
8. Serve hot with Indian bread(Naan), Bread, Rice or Potato Puffs(recipe below)

Potato Puffs:
Makes: 6
Cooking Time: 30 Mins.

Ingredients:
1 cup Whole Wheat Flour
1 cup Refined Wheat Flour (Maida)
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tbsp Oil
Salt to taste

1. Knead dough adding water as needed and let it rest for 1/2 hr.

Potato Filling:
4-5 med Boiled Potatoes
2 Chopped Green Chillies
Salt to taste

1. Mash potatoes and salt and green chilies. Mix Well.

Oil for Frying.

1. Heat oil in a wok for frying
2. Divide the dough in 6 parts.
3. Roll one at a time in 4" diameter circle.
4. Fill it with a spoon full of potato filling 
5. Bring all the ends together and close the dough. Again forming a ball.
6. Roll in 4" circle
7. CAREFULLY add it in hot oil.
8. Turning once CAREFULLY until golden brown.
9. Serve hot with Muttar Paneer, Indian Pickle, or just ketch up...its yummy:)