Cuttack: Chhena Tarkari is Odia Style Paneer Curry made with fresh chenna or paneer balls deep fried and added to onion tomato gravy. This is a popular side dish made across Odisha.
Balijatra is a fair that is not only awaited by Cuttackiyas but also by food lovers. It serves an array of drool-worthy and budget-friendly delicacies.
Ingredients
For Chena
- 250 ml Milk
- 2 tsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp All-Purpose Flour
- Cooking Oil for Deep Frying
- For the Ground Masala
- 1 cup Onions
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 2 to 3 Cloves Garlic
- 1 inch Ginger
- 3 Cloves
- 1- inch Cinnamon
- 1 no Cardamom
For Gravy
- 2 tsp Cooking Oil
- 2 tsp Butter
- 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
- 1/2 cup Onions
- Salt to Taste
- 1 tsp Red Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Coriander Powder
- 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1 cup Tomato Puree
- 1 medium Potato
- Water as required
Instructions
For Chena
- In a pan, bring the milk to a boil, simmer for a few minutes. Dilute the lemon juice and add it slowly to the milk.
- Stir well and continue adding till the whey and cheese separates.
- Drain on a strainer and let it hang for 30 mins.
- Transfer the Chhena onto a plate, add a pinch of salt, and knead well till you get a softball.
- Add the flour and again knead well.
- Pinch out as small balls and press out as a slightly flat ball. Keep it aside.
- Heat a Kadai with oil, deep fry the chhena balls, and have it aside.
For the Ground Masala
In a mixer, take all the ingredients listed under the ground masala and grind to a smooth paste.
For Gravy
- Wash and slash the potato in the microwave for 5 mins. Soak and peel the skin. Cube into smaller pieces.
- Heat oil and butter in a nonstick pan, add Cumin Seeds, and finely chopped onions.
- Saute well till it turns colour. Now add the ground masala and continue cooking.
- Add all the spice powders, and mix well. Now add the tomato puree and cook well.
- Once the gravy starts to leave the oil on the sides, add the boiled potato, and simmer for 10 mins.
- Add water as required for the gravy, when it starts to boil, add the deep-fried chhena balls and simmer for 5 to 7 mins.
Serve with Thunka Puri
