Appetizers for Dinner

(top left Scallops, top right Paneer, bottom center mushrooms - Salil needs to take better pictures)


We had three appetizers for dinner tonight. Was wondering what to cook and was itching to male something special for Salil! Started thinking about all these dishes and turned out they all were the starter kind. What the heck!! We are eating appetizers tonight.

Chilly Paneer

Wanted to try this one for a while and finally found an opportunity. It will be great if you can lay your hands on a fresh block of paneer from a local dairy, but freeze-thawed Nanak paneer was my only option.

Cut up the paneer into bite size pieces and saute in some hot light oil. Once the cubes have begun to brown at the edges, take it off the oil. Saute ginger/garlic/chilli paste in the remianing oil, throw in some finely chopped scallions and capsicum. Soon the kitchen will be swalloed by the aroma from your skillet and you will know its time for the next step. Add a dash of soya sauce, vinegar, ketchup and a thin slurry of corn flour. Fold in the panner and some salt (dont forget we already have some soy sauce in it!) and take it off the heat once the corn flour thickens.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffing: Finely chopped mushroom stems sauted with some freshly grated garlic and jalapenos in olive oil. Mix this (off the heat) with chopped spinach, grated mozarella or any melting cheese, bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Stuff the mushroom caps with the filling and stick it in the oven at 400C for 15 minutes.

Scallops coated in sesame seeds

Heat some butter in a skillet and put the scallops liberally coated with sesame seeds. Turn the scallops upside down after 3-4 minutes. Once they start to brown, add finely chopped jalapenos - we just need a tiny bit here, dont want to ruin the delicate taste of sea food - and scallions, stir for a minute and add a dash of good wine to pick up all the yummy drippings. Sprinkle loads of chopped cilntro and fresh squeezed lime juice. A piece of good crusty bread will sure come handy to lick up all that buttery sauce!

(Post by Avani)