Widely used in Indian cuisine, paneer is a mild and creamy cheese that once fried, adds a delicious “meaty” element to this vegetarian curry.
Silverbeet & Lentil Masala with Crispy Paneer & Eggplant Pickle
Serves 4
Eggplant Pickle
750g eggplant, roughly chopped
1 tbsp salt
½ cup vegetable oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
10 curry leaves
2cm piece ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 green chilli, halved, de-seeded
1 tsp turmeric powder
⅓ cup malt vinegar
1½ tbsp caster sugar
Masala
½ cup red lentils
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 small red onion, sliced
2cm piece of ginger, peeled and finely grated
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
⅓ cup masala paste
400g chopped tomatoes
400ml coconut milk
8 stalks silverbeet, roughly chopped
200g paneer, thinly sliced
coriander leaves, to serve
Method
- To make the eggplant pickle, combine eggplant and salt in a colander and set aside over a bowl for 1 hour or until eggplant has softened and released liquid. Squeeze any excess liquid out of the eggplant and set aside.
- Heat oil in a large heavy based saucepan over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and cook until they start to pop, add cumin seeds and curry leaves and cook for a further 30 seconds. Add ginger, garlic, chilli and turmeric and cook for 1-2 minutes or until golden. Add eggplant, vinegar and sugar. Reduce heat to low and cook for 10-15 minutes or until eggplant is tender but has not broken down. Set aside to cool completely.
- To make the masala, place lentils with 2 cups of water in a medium saucepan over high heat, bring to the boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour or until lentils have just softened. Drain and set aside. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add onion, ginger and garlic and cook, stirring, for 4-5 minutes until onion has softened.
- Add masala paste and cook for a further 2 minutes. Stir through tomatoes, coconut milk and ½ cup of water and bring to the boil. Add lentils, reduce heat to low and cook for a further 15-20 minutes. Add silverbeet and cook for a further 3-5 minutes or until just cooked.
- Heat the remaining oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat and cook paneer for 1-2 minutes each side or until golden.
- Serve the masala with the crispy paneer, eggplant pickles and coriander leaves.