Matar Panner/Peas with cottage cheese

Ingredients:

• Paneer - 1 cup (cubed)
• Frozen/fresh peas - 1 cup
• Onions - 1 medium (chopped)
• Tomatoes - 2 large (chopped)
• Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
• Chili powder - 1 tsp
• Coriander powder - 1 tbsp
• Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp
• Cumin powder - 1 tsp
• Kasthuri Methi - 1 tbsp
• Cashewnut - 1 tbsp
• Whole Milk or Cream - 1/4 cup
• Cinnamon - 1/2" stick
• Cloves - 2
• Cardamom - 1
• Bay leaf - 1
• Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Salt - to taste
• Coriander leaves - for garnishing
• Oil - 3 tsps

Method:

1. Fry paneer cubes in ghee and soak it in warm water for 15 mins and drain the water.
2. Heat oil in a pan. Add cashewnut and saute till golden brown.
3. Add onions and saute till onions are soft and golden brown.
4. Add the ginger garlic paste, tomatoes, turmeric powder and cook till tomatoes are soft.
5. Lightly cool this mixture and grind it to a smooth paste.
6. Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and whole garam masalas. Saute for 30 secs.
7. Add the ground gravy and about 1/2 cup water depending on the consistency you want.
8. Add all the powders, salt and bring it to boil and simmer it for 15 mins.
9. Crush the kasthuri methi in ur palm and add to the gravy.
10. Add the peas and paneer cubes and cook for 5 mins.
11. Add in the cream. Garnish with the coriander leaves.
12. Serve hot with roti, naan or chapathi.

Banana Walnut Cake

Ingredients:

• Ripe bananas - 2 (mashed with a fork)
• All purpose flour - 1 cup
• Sugar - 1 cup
• Baking Soda - 1/2 tsp
• Unsalted butter or Oil - 1/2 cup
• Milk - 1/4 cup
• Chopped walnuts - 1/4 cup
• Eggs - 2 large (at room temperature)
• Vanilla essence - 1/2 tsp
• Salt - a pinch.

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Sift the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
3. Whisk the eggs and vanilla extract in a separate bowl.
4. Grease the cake pan with oil or butter.
5. Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy with a whisk or electric mixer.
6. Gradually pour the egg mixture into the butter mixture until everything is incorporated.
7. Add the mashed bananas into this mixture and mix everything well.
8. Now add the flour and fold the mixture with the rubber spatula or with a spoon until just incorporated.
9. Add the milk if the mixture is too thick.
10. Add the chopped walnut pieces and transfer the batter to the greased cake pan.
11. Bake for 45 or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
12. Cool the cake for 10 mins and enjoy eating.