400 grams cottage cheese (paneer) cut into 1" cubes 1 cup yoghurt beaten well 1/2 cup coriander leaves finely chopped 2 tb mint leaves finely chopped 1" cinnamon stick,2 bay leaves 3 green cardamoms and cloves each 1 teaspoon(s) cumin powder,2 tablespoon(s) coriander powder 2 TB ghee/ butter salt to taste 2 cup water,1 tablespoon black peppercorns powdered coarsely 2 TB(s) fresh cream ,1/2 teasp hot spice mix (garam masala). To be ground: 3 onions sliced and fried to golden brown,3 flakes garlic,1" ginger chopped,2 green chillies
Grind the ingredients (to be ground) to a fine paste with little water.Heat the ghee / butter in a heavy-bottomed pan with a tight-fitting lid. Add the cinnamon, cardamoms, cloves and bay leaves. Fry for a few seconds. Add the ground paste and fry on low level for about 2 minute.Reduce heat to minimum and add the beaten yoghurt whilst stirring. Add the coriander-cumin powders, sprinkle salt to taste and cook on low level for about 2 minute.Add the water and bring to a boil. Mix in the cottage cheese (paneer) cubes, chopped coriander-mint leaves and coarsely-powdered black pepper. Stir in the fresh cream, sprinkle hot spice mix, cover tightly and keep on very low level (ideally on a griddle) for about 15 minutes. Open the lid only at serving time so that the exotic flavors of the spices are trapped inside for some time. **Garnish with a sprinkle of crushed black pepper. ---------