Delicious Indian paneer seasoned in curry flavors topped with a creamy curry sauce over Rice Paper Puffs. Serve this as an appetizer and your guests will want more!
THE OVERVIEW
So I didn’t make it on time to submit this appetizer recipe for a challenge. Life happens but I’m here to share it anyway.
I received two blocks of paneer cheeses. I actually didn’t know what to make with it. The cheese doesn’t melt like regular cheese. So making pizza was out of the question. The paneer cheese resembled and felt like tofu. It was definitely bland too.
I just went with the flow of the Indian theme and decided to create an Asian Fusion appetizer. Yes, curry was the first thought that crossed my mind.
As I was looking through my pantry, I saw rice paper sheets that was eyeing me back. I grabbed it and decided to make rice paper chips or puffs.
And now I present to you my Curry Paneer Rice Paper Puffs. Oh by the way, the curry sauce is ridiculiously good!
WHAT IS PANEER?
Have you ever had paneer cheese? This was my first time having it. It’s an Indian pale cheese that is a high protein food. They are low in sodium too. Paneer is often substituted for meat in many vegetarian entrees of Indian cuisine. Commonly used in curried and vegetable dishes. Paneer can also be deep fried, marinated, barbecued or used in sweet dessert.
THE BREAKDOWN
CURRY PANEER
- PANEER CHEESE – Cut into bite sized cubes
- CURRY POWDER
- ORGANIC VIRGIN COCONUT OIL – Just to give a sweet flavor to the paneer
- RICE PAPER SHEETS – Cut into triangles
- OIL – For frying the rice paper into puffs
THE CURRY SAUCE
- CURRY POWDER
- CUMIN
- TURMERIC
- GARLIC POWDER
- ONION POWDER
- GROUND GINGER
- ORGANIC MAPLE SYRUP – To tone down the earthy spices and seasonigs used and give a sweet balance
- VEGENAISE – I like the taste of vegan mayonnaise and that is what I prefer but you may use regular mayonnaise
HOW TO MAKE CURRY PANEER
Cut the paneer cheese into bite size cubes. You can make them larger or any shape you want. Place the paneer in a bowl.
Season the paneer with curry powder, cumin, turmeric, garlic powder, onion powder and ground ginger. Mix well.
Heat your frying pan with the coconut oil in medium high heat.
Throw in the mixed paneer cheese. Fry all the sides until the cheese is golden and crispy in color. This should take no longer than 5 minutes. Don’t worry the cheese won’t melt. Place the cooked paneer in a bowl and set aside.
HOW TO MAKE THE CURRY SAUCE
While the paneer cheese is cooking, make your curry sauce. This should be quick and easy to do.
In a bowl, add the vegenaise, curry powder, cumin, turmeric, garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, and maple syrup. Taste the sauce and add more of the seasonings if needed. Mix well and set aside.
If you have left over seasonings from the curry paneer, go ahead and throw it into the sauce. That’s more flavor!
Now you have your sauce and your crispy paneer cheese ready. All you need to do is fry the rice paper puffs.
HOW TO FRY THE RICE PAPER PUFFS
Grab a sheet of rice paper. Use kitchen scissor to cut the pieces. First, cut in a half. Next cut that half into another half. You’ll end up with 4 triangles per sheet. I used 4 sheets. You’ll have a total 16 pieces.
I used the same frying pan that I fried the paneer with. I wiped it down with paper towels.
Heat pan with medium-high heat. Pour in cooking oil just enough to fry the rice paper puffs.
You need the oil hot and bubbly. Once you place a rice paper piece, it will fry in a matter of seconds so be aware. I could fit 2 pieces in one pan.
Once fried, grab the fried puffs and place on a wired baking sheet lined with paper towels for the oil to drain. Continue to fry the remaining rice paper pieces.
BUILD THE CURRY PANEER RICE PAPER PUFFS
Grab one fried rice paper puff. Add a spoonful of paneer cheese. Then top off with the curry sauce.
Continue with the next set. Then enjoy!
STORING THE LEFTOVERS
You can save the curry paneer in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Unfortunately, not for the rice paper puffs. They are best served freshly fried. I tried saving them and the puffs weren’t as tasty and became wilted.
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Curry Paneer Rice Paper Puffs
Delicious Indian paneer seasoned in curry flavors topped with a creamy curry sauce over Rice Paper Puffs. Serve this as an appetizer and your guests will want more!
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz. block of Paneer cheese, bite sized cubes
- 1 tbsp Organic Extra Virgin Coconut oil
- ½ tsp Curry powder
- ½ tsp Cumin
- ½ tsp Turmeric
- ½ tsp Garlic powder
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Ground Ginger
- 4 sheets Rice Paper, cut into triangles
- Oil for frying rice paper puffs
- ½ tsp Curry Powder
- ½ tsp Cumin
- ½ tsp Turmeric
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Ground Ginger
- ½ tsp Organic Maple Syrup
- 2 tbsp Vegenaise
- 1 tbsp of #SINCERITY
Instructions
Curry Paneer
- Cut the paneer cheese into bite size cubes. You can make them larger or any shape you want. Place the paneer cubes in a bowl. Then, season the paneer with curry powder, cumin, turmeric, garlic powder, onion powder and ground ginger. Mix well.
- Heat your frying pan with coconut oil on medium high heat. Throw in the seasoned paneer cheese. Fry all the sides until the cheese is golden and crispy in color. This should take no longer than 5 minutes. Place the cooked paneer in a bowl and set aside.
Curry Sauce
- While the paneer cheese is cooking, make your curry sauce.
- In a bowl, add the veganaise, curry powder, cumin, turmeric, garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, and maple syrup. Taste the sauce and add more of the seasonings if needed. Mix well and set aside.
Rice Paper Puffs
- Grab a sheet of rice paper. Use a kitchen scissor to cut the pieces. First, cut in half. Next cut that half into another half. You’ll end up with 4 triangles per sheet. I used 4 sheets. You’ll have a total of 16 pieces.
- Heat the pan on medium-high heat. Pour in cooking oil just enough to fry the rice paper puffs.
- You need the oil hot and bubbly. Once you place a rice paper piece, it will fry in a matter of seconds so be aware. I could fit 2 pieces in one pan.
- Once fried, grab the fried puffs and place on a wired baking sheet lined with paper towels for the oil to drain. Continue to fry the remaining rice paper pieces.
Build The Curry Rice Paper Puffs
- Grab one fried rice paper puff. Add a spoonful of paneer cheese. Then top off with the curry sauce. Continue with the next set.
- Serve on a plate and devour!
