Crispy Paneer Fingers

An interesting, nutty, and healthy snack that can be enjoyed at teatime or appetizer before dinner. I made it using Paneer (Cottage Cheese) for my daughter as is her favorite. Substitute it with Tofu and you have healthy Vegan treat. I added a spicy relish that makes it even more tantalizing and can be enjoyed by kids and grown ups alike!!

Ingredients:

Paneer Fingers:

Paneer cut to 1 and 1/2 inch thick strips - 1 bowl

Flax Seeds - 1 tbsp

Oats - 3 tbsp

Rice Flour - 2 tbsp

Soy Sauce - 1 tsp

Tomato Ketchup - 1 tsp

Olive Oil - 3 tbsp

Spicy Relish:

Green Bell Pepper - 1

Yellow or Orange Bell Pepper - 1

Green Chillies - 3

Ginger grated - 1/2 stick

Garlic Cloves chopped fine - 2 cloves

Onion Sliced - 1 small or 1/2 onion

Soy Sauce - 2 tsp

Tomato Ketchup - 1 tsp

Olive Oil - 1 tsp

Method for Spicy Relish:

1. It is easier to make the relish earlier and keep it aside.

2. Heat a heavy bottom pan, add some olive oil. Saute, the garlic and onion first in medium flame.

3. Add the Peppers, green chillies, and the grated ginger and saute for 3 minutes.

4. Add the sauces and mix them all well. Add Salt if needed.

Crispy Paneer Method:

1. In a sauce pan roast the oats and flax seeds on low flame for about 5 minutes.

2. Cool this mix and powder the oats and flax seeds.

3. In a bowl add the cut Paneer strips, the oats powder, salt, rice flour, soy sauce, and ketchup.

4. Add water enough to coat the strips. I added totally 3 -4 tbsp of water. Start 1 tbsp at a time.

5. Heat a griddle or grilling pan. Add the Olive Oil. Start adding the Paneer strips one at a time. Space them about an inch apart. Grill them on medium flame. Flip them over so both sides turn golden brown evenly.

Serving the Paneer Fingers:

1. Serve them in a bowl with a Ketchup dip for kids.

2. Heat the griddle and saute the pre-made Relish for 2 minutes. Add this to a serving tray. Place the Paneer fingers on the top of the Relish or on the side as shown in the image above. Enjoy!!