Inspired by Food Network-Paneer Poppers and Capsicum Chutney

Being the foodie that I am , I love watching Food Network. There is a variety of food from different part of the USA and some from around the world.The international cuisine mainly varies among the popular Mexican, Italian , Chinese or Thai with a splash of Indian thrown in here and there. I am not sure why they use curry powder in anything Indian as it is rarely used in authentic Indian cuisine. I love Italian food and recently came across Giada's Deep-Fried Mozzarella Balls with Spicy Tomato and Garlic Chutney and I liked the concept. I decided to give an Indian flair to the recipe and made Paneer Poppers with Red Pepper Chutney. The Paneer was spongy and soft, coated with Indian Breadcrumbs( Hey, if it is Indian spices flavored breadcrumbs then we can call it Indian breadcrumbs -right!). The peppers gave a distinct flavor to the chutney and is spicy with hot chilli peppers. Combine this with a good book and a hot cup of chai, and you are all set for a cozy evening.Ingredients for Paneer Poppers:
Indian breadcrumbs( recipe follows) 2 cups

Eggs 2

All purpose flour ( Maida) 1/2 cup

Paneer cubed -About 20 cubes

Salt and Pepper to taste

Oil to Fry

• Season the paneer cubes with salt and pepper. If you want them spicy , use some chilli powder instead of pepper.
• Beat the eggs in a bowl.
• Create an assembly line of flour , eggs and breadcrumbs.
• Dip the paneer in the flour ,then eggs and breadcrumbs.
• Dip the paneer again in the egg and breadcrumbs. This gives a strong coating so that the breadcrumbs do not fall off while frying.
• Freeze the coated paneer for 15 minutes.
• Fry them for 5 minutes in oil.Make sure that the oil is not too hot as that will only cook the breadcrumbs and not the paneer.

Ingredients for the Red Pepper Chutney:

Red peppers -2 ( You can use any color pepper)

Curry leaves 3-4,

Green chilli peppers -3

Whole cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon

Juice of one lime

Salt to taste

Oil - 2 teaspoon

• Chop the red peppers and the chilli peppers.
• Heat the oil in a wok and add the cumin and curry leaves.
• Add the red pepper and the chilli peppers.
• Add salt and fry till the pepper is tender.
• In a food processor add the fried cocktail and add the lime juice.
• Process the mixture till it is smooth.

To make the Indian breadcrumbs: In a cup of breadcrumbs add a tsp each of salt, turmeric, chilli powder, ground coriander, ground cumin and amchoor powder.

The Paneer Poppers can serve as a good vegetarian appetizer both for adults and kids. You can serve it with ketchup and the chutney goes well with South Indian fares like dosas , vadas or idlis.