*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                      PEPPERED CHANNA DIP (THECHA)

Recipe By     :
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Indian                           Appetizers

 Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
                       Stephen Ceideburg
  1                    Recipe channa
  1       md           Shallot, peeled and minced
    1/2   c            Pickled hot pepper rings,
                       -drained and finely chopped
    1/4   ts           Garlic salt
  2       tb           Dry white wine (optional)

 Iceberg lettuce leaves, washed and crisped Parsley
 sprigs

 If you are tired of serving the same old cheese ball
 for company gatherings, maybe it's time to add some
 sparkle to your appetizer repertoire. Serve this zesty
 dip with crackers, chips or crudites.

 Beat channa, minced shallot, hot peppers, garlic salt
 and wine (if using) in a medium-size bowl until well
 mixed. If made ahead, cover and refrigerate. May be
 made 1 day in advance.

 To serve, mound on a plate lined with lettuce leaves.
 Garnish with parsley sprigs.

 Makes 1 1/2 cups.

 PER 1/4 CUP: 135 calories, 9 g protein, 29
 carbohydrate, 10 g fat (6 g saturated), cholesterol
 (not available), 152 mg sodium, 0 g fiber.

 From an article by Laxmi Hiremath in the San Francisco
 Chronicle, 9/1/93.

 Other Cooking Methods

 Freshly made paneer is delicious and may be eaten
 immediately, without further preparation or adornment.
 However, in most recipes, paneer must be cooked before
 it is added to the other ingredients. Broiling, which
 is discussed in the story, is the method I prefer
 because very little oil is used. If you don't wish to
 broil the cheese, here are a few alternatives:

 Toaster Oven: Grease a small baking tray with
 vegetable oil. Place paneer cubes on the tray and
 brush with oil. Bake at 400 degrees F. until golden
 brown, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove and use in any
 cooked paneer recipe.

 For a quick paneer curry, place cooked cheese cubes on
 a heated serving platter and pour your favorite curry
 sauce over them. Garnish with minced cilantro and
 serve.

 Barbecue Grill: Prepare a charcoal fire to the
 gray-ash stage. Gently blow away the ash, leaving
 coals that glow cherry red. Cut paneer into 2-inch
 cubes. Brush skewers and paneer cubes with vegetable
 oil. Thread evenly on skewers leaving 1/2-inch space
 any cooked paneer recipe.

 For, an exotic appetizer, sprinkle grilled paneer
 cubes with. lemon juice and ground cumin. Place on a
 warmed platter and served immediately.

 Saute; Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a heavy nonstick pan
 or wok over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add
 paneer cubes and saute until light brown, turning
 once. Carefully transfer to paper towels to drain.
 Tent with foil to keep warm until ready to use. Use in
 any recipe calling for cooked paneer.

 Note: A nonstick pan is essential; the paneer will
 break and crumble in any other pan.

 Deep Fry: Heat 6 tablespoons of vegetable or canola
 oil to 350 degrees F. in a nonstick wok until hot but
 not smoking. Gently add Paneer cubes. Do not crowd.
 Fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 5
 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper
 towels. Tent with foil to keep warm until ready to
 use. Use in any recipe calling for cooked paneer.

 From an article by Laxmi Hiremath in the San Francisco
 Chronicle, 9/1/93.



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