Friday Monsoon Magic-Paneer Pudina Pakoda (Cottage Cheese- Mint fritters)
Servings
3-4servings
Servings
3-4servings
Ingredients
  • 2 – 3tbsp curdwhisked ,(yoghurt)
  • xbdtsp Red chillipowder
  • 1tsp masalaTandoori .(I am a strict eggetarian but I keep this Masala in my pantry. It goes well with Tikkas and some curries. You can add Chaat Masala if you donu2019t have the Tandoori Masala.)
Instructions
  1. Pinch of salt.
For the Pudina filling:
  1. xbd cup Pudina leaves, destemmed and washed
  2. xbc cup fresh coriander leaves, destemmed and washed
  3. 2-3 Green chillies, chopped
  4. xbd tsp lemon juice.
  5. Pinch of salt.
For the batter:
  1. ~ xbe cup besan (Gram Flour)
  2. xbd tsp turmeric powder
  3. xbd tsp red chilli powder
  4. Salt as per taste
  5. Oil for frying
  6. Cut the Paneer into small pieces (~ xbdu201c x 2u201d).If you donu2019t have the patience or the time you can make bigger pieces.
  7. Mix all the ingredients for the marinade and put the paneer pieces in it. Mix delicately, taking care not to break the pieces.
  8. Coat all the pieces with the marinade and keep aside for about 20 mins.
  9. Blend together all the ingredients for the Pudina Filling.Do not add water. It is ok if the mixture gets coarsely ground, but donu2019t add water.
  10. Mix all the ingredients for the batter except oil.
  11. Add 1 tbsp of hot oil to the mixture
  12. Add water to this till it forms a smooth,thick batter.
  13. Take 2 pieces of the marinated paneer.
  14. Add as much Pudina filling as you can between the two pieces like a sandwich.
  15. Repeat this for all the paneer pieces. (See photo)
  16. Heat oil in a wok/ Kadai. Check the temperature by putting a drop of the batter in it. It should immediately rise and sizzle.
  17. Dip each paneer sandwich in the batter and coat the batter on all sides. Be careful here so as not to break the sandwich. You can dip the sandwich in the batter and use a spoon to coat it from all sides.
  18. Drop each batter coated paneer sandwich in the hot oil and fry till golden brown.
Recipe Notes

This Paneer Pudina Pakoda does not need any chutney or sauce. It can be served hot as it is.

Note: If you like you can add ginger-garlic paste to the batter. I did not want too many flavours clashing in my Pakoda and jut wanted to savour the fresh mint flavour.