Paneer Cheese Cubes with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Because one can never have too many paneer dishes on hand ... here is another from my vegetarian kitchen. Ovo-Lacto-Vegetarians are in for a most satisfying meal, especially if this dish is served along with a steaming bed of rice and some Indian flat breads. Paneer cubes are cooked in fragrant spices and then gently simmered in a sun-dried tomato sauce. Sun-dried tomatoes are not part of traditional Indian cooking, but I also enjoy fusion-style interpretations. I might add that sun-dried tomatoes feature in many of my dishes that go well with tomatoes.

Paneer Cheese Cubes with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Adapted from 1000 Indian Recipes by Neelam Batra

12 ounces of paneer, cut into cubes
6 sun-dried tomatoes, soaked in hot water for 30 minutes, drained and chopped
1 medium tomato, diced
3 tablespoons of ghee, butter or olive oil
1 teaspoon of black mustard seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons of cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper seeds, crushed
1 medium onion, finely sliced
2 - 3 fresh chili powders, or jalapenos, finely chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons of ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
small handful of dried fenugreek leaves
sea salt to taste
a few tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
1/2 cup of frozen peas

Cut the paneer into 1/2 - 1 inch sized cubes. Heat the oil in a large wok or large frying pan over medium heat until hot. Toss in the black mustard seeds and stir until they begin to splutter and pop. Immediately add the cumin seeds and peppercorns and stir and fry for another minute. Next add the onion and stir and fry until they begin to soften and turn golden.

Now add the paneer cubes, along with the green chilies, ground coriander, ground cumin, cayenne, fenugreek and salt and cook, stirring and turning the paneer cubes every few minutes until golden - roughly 5 - 10 minutes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and diced tomato and cook for another 5 - 10 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped chives and serve hot.

Yields 4 - 6 servings

More paneer dishes from Lisa's Indian Vegetarian Kitchen you may enjoy:
Wild Mushroom and Paneer Pilaf with Urad Dal
Saffron Marinated Paneer Cheese with Fresh Basil, Cashews and Pomegranate Seeds
Chickpeas and Paneer in a Spicy Creamy Cashew Gravy
Mung Beans and Paneer Cheese

On the top of the reading stack: Dakshin by Chandra Padmanabhan

Audio Accompaniment: 50 Words For Snow by Kate Bush