Patrani Paneer

My first Parsi Dish - and it turned out pretty good.

I was always fascinated by the dish --  Patrani Fish, famous Parsi dish. Many of my friends swear by it.  The idea of trying a vegetarian version had been playing on my mind for quite sometime but  could not bring myself to do it .

Yesterday, I saw banana leaves at my vegetable vendor and the rest as they say just unfolded. With great anticipation I tried  Patrani Paneer. To my surprise it turned out to be delicious.

Serves 3

Ingredients :

Paneer.	200 gms.
Water.	2 cups
Vinegar.	2 tbsp.
Banana leaf.	1 no.

To be ground to paste :

Coriander chopped.	5 heaped tbsps.
Fresh coconut grated.	3 heaped tbsp.
Mint leaves.	8 - 10 .
Curry leaves.	10 .
Green chillies.	2
Cumin seeds.	1/2 tsp
Garlic.	6 cloves
Sugar.	1tsp
Lemon juice.	1tbsp
Salt.	to taste
Turmeric pd.	a pinch.
Water.	As required.

Method :

1. Grind all ingredients ( mentioned under paste ) into a fine  and thick paste using minimal water.
2. Cut paneer into six equal sized pieces -- roughly 2 inches long and 1/4 inch thick.
3. Remove the central ridge of the banana leaf . Now cut the leaf into six pieces.
4. Coat each paneer piece on all sides with the paste .
5. Place the paneer slice in the centre of the banana leaf and wrap the leaf around the paneer, taking care  that the paneer is well covered.
6. Tie these paneer parcels with a string and keep aside for 15 minutes.
7. Heat water and vinegar in a large, deep pan. Place the paneer parcels in a large sieve. Keep this sieve over the pan and cover and steam on slow heat for 15 min.
8. Turn the parcels over once.
9. Serve hot with any kind of Indian bread.
10. Let each person have the pleasure of opening his/ her own parcel.

Tip : If you can't find banana leaf, don't worry. You can use aluminium foil instead.