CHANAR PATURI (PANEER WRAPPED IN BANANA LEAF)

A delicacy of Bengal is 'Paturi'. Generally, oily fish is sliced evenly and then wrapped in banana leaf after the fish has been hit by a basting of a freshly pounded mustard with a hint of green chili, coconut, mustard oil, turmeric and salt; baked or roasted on very slow heat. Today, I made this vegetarian version of paturi, which is made with freshly made paneer or chana. I used banana leaf, you may use pumpkin leaf or bottle gourd leaf too, it is very traditional and toothsome dish which goes well with hot steamed rice. Tryout this fabulous chanar paturi and enjoy!!!

INGREDIENTS:

2 Cups Freshly Made Paneer / Chana (cottage cheese)

½ Cup Freshly Grated Coconut

2 tbsps Mustard Seeds

4 Whole Green Chillies (according to taste)

4-5 Slit Green Chillies

½ tsp Turmeric Powder

2 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice

1 tsp Sugar (for flavor only)

2 tbsp + 2 tsp Mustard Oil

Salt To Taste

10 pieces of Banana Leaves
Cotton thread

METHOD:

First of all, make a smooth paste of mustard seeds by using pestle and mortar. Now add grated coconut and whole green chilies, again grind by using pestle and mortar to make a smooth paste. Now the spice mixture is ready. Set it aside.

Take the pieces of banana leaves and grease each pieces with very little mustard oil. Keep aside.

In a large bowl, combine freshly made paneer / chana with mustard-coconut-green chili paste, turmeric powder, lemon juice, sugar, 2 tbsp mustard oil and salt. Fold nicely, so that everything incorporated very well.

Arrange banana leaves on your kitchen countertop. Take a small portion of paneer/chana mixture (like small lemon sized ball). Pour the mixture onto the middle of the leaf.

Place one slit green chili on the top of the mixture.  Now fold the banana leaf to wrap the contain from all sides, just like a parcel and tie with a piece of thread. Repeat the process for remaining mixture.

Heat a frying pan (preferably non-stick) and coat it with 1 tsp mustard oil. Place the wrapped  paneer or chana  on the heated pan (5-6 pieces at a time). Cover the lid and bake those for 6-8 minutes on medium-low heat.

Take off the lid to turn the wrapped paneer and bake the other side. Cover lid and roast for another 6-7 minutes. Take off each parcel from the heat now.

Discard the thread from the parcel. Now the baked paneer / chana is taken out from the banana leaf. Mouthwatering and fantastic chanar paturi is ready to serve with hot steamed rice.

Sending to: Holiday Recipes ~ 3rd Blog Anniversary Event