Chanar Dalna

In Bengal people also say it 'Paneerer torkari'. Chanar Dalna is made of 'chana', largely known as Paneer or Cottage Cheese. When it comes to vegeterian menu in a Bengali household , Chanar dalna becomes an obvious choice. Cottage Cheese cooked in bengali style 'torkari' (Curry) added with some aromatic Bengali spices.

Ingredients(4 servings):

1. Paneer(Cottage cheese), 200 gm
2. Potato, 4 medium
3. Cumin Powder, 1 tbsp
4. Coriander Powder, 1 tbsp
5. Garam masala powder,2 tsp
6. Kashmiri red chilli powder, 1 tsp (Optional)
7. Mango Powder(amchur)/Lime juice, 2 tsp
8. Turmeric powder, 2 tsp
9. Salt to taste
10. Sugar, 1 tsp
11. Whole dry red chilli, 1
12. Bay leaf, 1
13. Cumin seeds, 1 tsp
14. Ginger, 1 and 1/2"
15. Green chillies, 4-5
16. Ghee(Indian clarified butter),  2 tsp
17. Curd, 1 tbsp
18. Mustard oil, 5-6 tbsp

Methods:

Cut Potatoes into medium cubes and Paneer also. Fry them seperately. Make surethat the potatoes are soft and paneer cubes are evenly golden brown . Marinate paneer cubes with 1 tsp turmeric powder and a pinch of salt before frying. Leave 2-3 cheese cubes to use later.

Heat oil and temper with whole dry red chilli, bay leaf and cumin seeds. Blend ginger, cumin and coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, mango powder together and add into oil. After a minute of sauteing add curd, green chillies and crush the remaining cottage cheese cubes. Add salt to taste and sugar. Cook for a minute. Let the oil seperate from spices.

When the oil seperates, add potato cubes and cook in spices for 2 mins. Add 2 cups of water. Bring it to boil and add paneer cubes. As soon as the gravy thickens (it will not too much thick gravy) sprinkle ghee and a pinch of garam masala powder.

*If you are using lime juice instead of mango powder, add after removing from flame.

NOTE-If you are using homemade paneer marinate them with 2 tsp of cornflour powder and fry them oil and also add into curry before removing from flame as they tend to be softer compared to shopmade paneer. This prevents them from breaking.

Serving suggestions- Steamed rice, Luchi, Ruti.