Indian Recipes from Dru's Episode

Serve with an Indian Pale Ale or your favorite Cabernet Sauvignon ( I like Fetzer's)

Tomatoe Chutney
(this was everyone's fave - we ate it w/ rice but it's great w/ naan bread or red meat, as well - AND it keeps for a good while - definitely worth the trouble!)

5 tbs vegetable oil
cinnamon stick
4 cloves
1 tsp cumin seeds, freshly roasted
4 bay leaves
1 tsp crushed mustard seed
4 garlic cloves
2 inch piece of ginger root, grated
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground turmeric
4 tbs. brown sugar
3/4 lb. chopped, canned tomatoes, drained, juices reserved

Heat oil in large pan on med to med-low. Saute first 5 ingredients for 5 minutes. Add garlic cloves and saute to golden. Add everything else except the drained tomatoes, including the reserved tomatoe juice. Simmer until reduced. Add the tomatoes and cook an additional 18 minutes. Allow to cool. Put in a jar and store.

Matar Paneer
(this is delicious but it has to be served immediately - so, if you're having a big dinner party and need to entertain, try an Indian curry, instead - we love this for more intimate dinners of 2-4 people)

7 tbs vegetable oil
8 oz paneer, cubed
1 onion, chopped
2 sprigs mint, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 4 0z can green chilis, diced
4 cloves garlic
1/4 cup sliced fresh ginger
1 tsp. ground turmeric
3 cups button mushrooms, chopped
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
3/4 cup plain yogurt
1 tsp. cornstarch
salt to taste

Heat oil to medium in a large pot. Fry paneer to lightly golden and set aside on a paper towel to drain. Combine next 6 ingredients in a food processor, making a rough paste. Mix turmeric into paste and fry paste until the onion is cooked, approx. 8-10 minutes. Add mushrooms and peas. Saute 5 minutes. Cool pot to low. Whisk together yogurt and cornstarch. Fold yogurt into cooled pot of vegetables. Salt to taste. Serve immediately.

Fruit Raita
(so delicious and so easy! a light, healthy, wonderful dessert with endless possibilities- make it tonight!)

1 1/2 cups plain, greek yogurt
1/4 cup seedless grapes
1/4 cup lightly roasted walnuts
1 banana, sliced
1 tbs. sugar
1 tsp. freshly ground cumin seeds
Freshly roasted cumin and paprika to garnish.

Combine. Chill. Garnish before serving.