Soya Nuggets and Paneer Curry

My Air Fryer love is on a full mode and everything and anything that I am doing in the kitchen these days, has to involve the air fryer someway or the other. Apart from the regular chicken grilling and obvious frying, I have also been using it for frying curry ingredients which otherwise would have been sautéed in oil before adding to the curry. This not only saves me time in the kitchen while cooking but also helps me cut down on some extra calories. Today's dish is prepared with just 2 tsp oil and tastes wonderful with some hot phulkas and pickle. With my twice daily exercise regime and my strict controlled diet I have managed to loose 2 kgs so far and I really hope to achieve my target of losing 6 more kgs by December. Such is the effect of having this air fryer as well as that Appe Pan. You enjoy tasty healthy food while still restricting the calories!! Over to the recipe now...

Ingredients

1 cup soya nuggets

100 gms paneer chunks

2 medium onions cut into squares

1 small capsicum cut into squares

1 small tomato and 1 small onion made into a paste with 1 each of cinnamon, cardamom, and clove

1/2 tsp red chilli powder

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp garam masala powder

1 tbsp kasuri methi crushed

2 tsp honey

Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing

2 tsp oil

Salt to taste 

For the marinade

1/4 cup whipped yogurt

1 1/2 tsp garlic paste

1 1/2 tsp ginger paste

2 tsp spice mix (dry roast 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp coriander seeds, 1 tsp black peppercorns, 2 dried red chillies, 2 black cardamoms and make a fine powder)

Salt to taste

Note: Instead of the spice mix, you can use tandoori masala, chicken masala or any similar masala as well. Also, this spice mix is a wonderful addition to any stir fry or other curries that you make on a regular day. 

Direction

Soak the soya nuggets in water and bring it to a boil. The nuggets would double in size and become soft and spongy. Drain the water and squeeze out the excess liquid. Meanwhile, prepare the marinade by mixing all ingredients listed under it. Drop the squeezed soy nuggets into the marinade. Add the paneer chunks as well and mix everything well. Cover and keep aside for 1-2 hours. 

If using the air fryer, line it with an aluminum foil and fry the nuggets followed by the paneer chunks for 10 minutes each at 200 degree celsius while shaking it once in between. Remove and keep aside. 

If not using the air fryer, heat a little oil and fry the soya nuggets and the paneer chunks till slightly golden. Remove from heat and keep aside. Do not discard the marinade. 

Heat 2 tsp oil in the same pan and fry the squared onions till pink. Add the capsicum and fry for 3-5 minutes followed by the tomato onion paste. Add the rest of the spices including salt except the kasuri methi and continue stirring till oil separates. Now add the leftover marinade (if any; I did not have any) and the fried nuggets and paneer and mix well. Add 1/2 cup warm water and cover and cook on a medium flame till gravy thickens a bit. Add kasuri methi, honey and any additional salt if needed. Garnish with fresh coriander and remove from heat. Serve hot.