Taniya Panda lives in the Atlanta area. She was born and raised in Toronto, Canada before moving to India in her teens. Then, Taniya returned to Toronto to attend the University of Toronto. She’s a young mother of two children (you’ll see a special appearence) and has been making fun video montages with them during these quarantine times as well as dressing up as Disney princesses.
Watch the recording of our class
Tofu Butter Masala Recipe
Ingredients:
2 tbsp clarified butter (ghee) or plain butter
1 pack extra firm tofu
3 medium tomatoes
1 medium onion (red or yellow)
Cashews hand full (optional)
2 tsp Ginger/garlic paste (or whole ginger and whole garlic pods)
3-4 cloves
2 cardamom pods
1/2 inch cinnamon stick
Bay leaf
1 tsp Chili powder
1/2 tsp turmeric
Half and half cream
Fresh cilantro
Dry Methi leaves (optional)
Instructions:
Roughly chop onions and tomatoes
Heat ghee/butter, add in the cloves, cardamom pods. Saute until aromatic.
Add chopped onions and ginger/garlic paste, saute until translucent and light brown.
Add 1 tsp of turmeric and 2 tsp of chilli powder (add as needed). Let it fry with the onion until the raw smell is gone.
Add the cashews and saute until golden brown.
Add the tomatoes and cook until mushy and water starts evaporating.
Let this mixture cool and then blend with a little bit of water.
Cut tofu into small cubes and pan fry. Keep aside on a paper towel lined plate.
Add 3 tsp of oil into the pan add the cinnamon stick and bay leaf. Saute for a minute then add in the tomato puree.
To this, add 2 tsp of garam masala. Mix in the fried tofu.
At this point you can add some dried methi leaves (kasuri methi).
Add a splash of cream and garnish with a generous amount of chopped fresh cilantro.
Serve with rice, rotis or tortillas!
Vegetable Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients:
frozen mixed vegetables (you can use fresh)
ghee (clarified butter)/ butter
1 medium red onion, chopped
2-3 cloves
2 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsp fennel seeds
1 bay leaf
2 star anise
1 cup Basmati rice
Instructions:
Soak 1 cup basmati rice for 20 mins.
In the meantime, heat 2 tbsp of ghee in a deep pan, add in the spices and let it splutter.
Add chopped onions and saute until caramelized.
Add in 1/2 cup of frozen vegetables and 1 cup soaked rice.
Saute until fried.
Now add 2 cups of water and salt to taste.
Let it boil, at this point close the lid and simmer until the water evaporates.
Add extra fried onions and cashews fried in ghee for garnish.