Chenar dalna

There's  nothing like home made cottage cheese or ricotta.  The other day went to an invitation,  loved the succulent,  soft dumplings of 'chena' or cottage cheese,  in a mildly spiced but sweet gravy !  Had to make it at home,  we have had koftas earlier, but this was special, there is no spice added to the kofta dough.

Ingredients

Milk 1ltr
Lemon juice 4tsp
Cornflour 2 tbsp
Maida 1tbsp
Cardamom seeds 1/2 tsp
Tomato grated 1cup
Ginger paste 1tbsp
Onion paste 1cup
Green chillies  4
Chaar magaj paste 1/2 cup
Garam masala powder 1 tsp
Black pepper powder
Refined oil
Ghee 2tbsp
Sugar 2tsp
Salt to taste

Procedure

Boil the milk , add lemon juice,  wait for the milk to curdle.  Put off the gas,  separate whey from the fresh cheese or chena. Reserve the water or whey.

We can use this whey in many purposesed,  in gravies or while making  atta doughs. 

Add Cornflour,  maida,  cardamom seeds,  salt and bit if sugar in the dough.  Knead till well mixed,  make small patties and keep aside.

Heat oil and ghee in a deep fry pan, fry all the chena patties and keep aside.

Heat oil and ghee,  approx 2tbsp,add onion paste,  garlic paste and tomatoes,  saute till oil separates. Add charmagaj paste,  sugar and garam masala powder abd black pepper .
Add 2cups water,  as tge gravy boils,  add all the fried chenas.
Add ghee,  cover and put off the gas.

Optional spices which you can add are,  cumin powder,  hing and sone whipped curd.

Serve with rice preparations or any flour preparations.  Full of nutrition and delicious :)