Entrée Recipe Contest Submission – Spicy Paneer Veggie salad with Gopi Paneer
I wanted to make a salad with paneer that would be tasty, yet easy to transport should I want to bring it on a summer picnic or make it in advance for a social gathering. Here’s my Spicy Paneer Veggie salad recipe and it’s SO YUMMY! I used blanched broccoli, carrots, chickpeas, and bell pepper with pan-fried paneer coated in curry, garlic & red pepper flakes. Toss all together with fresh lemon juice, more fresh garlic, and high-quality EVOO.
The fried paneer is an excellent addition to this salad because it is a great meat replacement high in protein and it’s firmness holds up well in any make-ahead meal. Paneer always takes on spices really well, so you can make it savory or sweet! If you haven’t tried fried Gopi paneer cheese you are missing out!
Spicy Paneer Veggie salad with Gopi Paneer
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serves 6
- 4 cups of broccoli
- 1 can of garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 package of Gopi Paneer, cut into small 1 inch thin cubes or smaller.
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
- juice of one lemon
- 2 tablespoons good-quality EVOO + oil to pan fry paneer
- 1-2 fresh garlic cloves, finely diced
How to Prepare:
Blanche the broccoli in hot boiling water for approximately 1-2 minutes max. Drain and let it cool down. Chop into smaller bite size pieces and add to a large mixing bowl.
In a medium-sized frying pan, heat up 1 tablespoon of olive oil and heat up on medium-high heat. Add paneer cheese cubes and fry on one side for 2-3 minutes so they start to brown. Mix in all of the powdered spices, red pepper flakes and salt. Flip all of the paneer cubes over and fry on the other wide side of each cube. After 2 minutes, make sure to mix the cubes gently and make sure they are all coated with spices. Turn off heat when both sides are toasty and slightly browned.
In the large mixing bowl. add the red bell pepper and carrots and toss with the fresh garlic, olive oil and lemon juice.
Mix in the cooked paneer cubes (Gently) and serve! This salad can be served at room temperature or slightly chilled. Great to bring as a summer side dish or on a picnic!
Enjoy!
COST BREAKDOWN
- Gopi Paneer $5.99 per package
- Organic Garbanzo Beans $1.25
- Broccoli $2.99
- Carrots .30
- Lemon .99
- Garlic .25
- Olive Oil .50
- Spices (all in average) . 75
$13.02/6 = $2.17 per serving
