Shallow Fried Paneer Pakoda

Shallow Fried Paneer Pakoda (Tawa method)

A tasty snack, made of gram flour batter and less oil !!!

Makes: 8 pakodas

Ingredients

125 g paneer (cottage cheese) , cut into square or rectangle

6 teaspoons / 2 tablespoon oil

¼ teaspoon chaat masala powder (optional)

Tamarind dates chutney / Tomato sauce / Green chutney for serving

For Pakoda Batter (gram flour batter):

1/2 cup ( 100 g ) besan ( gram flour )

60 – 80 ml water (depends upon the quality of the gram flour (besan)

1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder

1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder

1/2 teaspoon salt ( or to taste )

2 pinches hing ( asafoetida )

2 teaspoon finely chopped coriander leaves

Mix all the ingredients with water and keep aside for 15 minutes. Pakoda batter should be of dropping consistency (just like bajji batter).

For paneer:

½ teaspoon red chilli powder

¼ teaspoon coriander powder

1 pinch salt

Cut paneer into desired shape and size. Wipe each piece gently with a soft kitchen towel. Marinate paneer pieces with above ingredients and keep aside for half an hour.

Method

In a non stick frying pan, heat 2 teaspoons oil. Reduce heat to medium. Dip each marinated paneer piece in pakoda batter (gram flour batter) and arrange gram flour coated paneer carefully. Shallow fry on a medium heat to low heat until golden color on both the sides. Sprinkle remaining oil when turning other side. Sprinkle chaat masala powder on top if required. Carefully remove with a flat spatula. Serve hot with dates – tamarind chutney tomato sauce / green chutney or with tea / coffee.