Paneer Puff Flowers

How many times have we started to do something, ending up with something else? How many of us start doing something simple, ending up with something exotic? Well, I am also just one of you who is now nodding in agreement. What started out as a simple paneer puff, resulted in Paneer Puff Flowers!! :) Yay, I am all set to send this to 2 upcoming events!!

To cut the long story short, there was a portion of pastry sheet in my fridge calling for attention. I decided to make some paneer puffs to go with evening tea, that way I can also use up the small amount of paneer remaining. I didn't seal the flap of the puff properly which resulted in the puff opening up like a flower ;) But I was still skeptical if it was luck or it happened naturally. So I made another batch just to confirm that this way puff sure opens up!!

Paneer Puff Flowers

What we need:
Puff pastry sheet - a small packet or about 100 g
Paneer - 100 g
Onion, medium sized - 1, finely chopped
Green chillies - 1 or 2, minced
Garlic - 2 pods, minced
Ginger - 1" inch, grated
Kasoori methi - 2 or 3 tbsp., crushed Optional
Chilli powder - 1 tbsp.
Cumin (Jeera) powder - 1 tbsp.
Cumin - 1 tbsp.
Oil - as needed
Salt - as needed

How to do:
For the filling:
1. Grate the paneer.
2. Heat oil in a pan add cumin seeds. When they start to sputter, add onion, green chilli, garlic and ginger. Fry till the onion turn soft.
3. Now add grated paneer, chilli powder, salt. Mix well and add crushed Kasoori methi.
4. Remove from flame and let it cool.

For the pockets:

1. Cut out the pastry sheet as much as required. Dust a little bit of flour and roll out the sheet to a large square.
2. Cut out into medium sized squares as in step 2.
3. Take a spoonful of cooled paneer mixture and heap it in the center of the square.
4. Bring together the opposite ends (diagonal ends) and seal lightly with the tip of finger. Do not press too hard.
5. Do the same with the other ends. Before sealing the fourth end, it will look as in step 4. (How stupid of me to forget to click them with all sides sealed!) Make as many pockets as desired.

Baking:
1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees for 5 minutes. Arrange the pockets on a baking sheet and drizzle a little bit oil over the pockets, if required.
2. Keep the sealed side on the top and bake the pockets in the oven in 200 to 250 degrees for 5 minutes.
3. Now turn them to the other side and bake for another 5 to 7 minutes or till the side starts to turn brown.
4. Now that the back side is evenly browned, flip the pockets back to the top and again bake it for 5 to 7 minutes. By now, the sealed edges will open up and look like petals.
5. Carefully set them on a serving plate and serve with tomato or chilli sauce.

Since this is a high-cal food, I felt it should be balanced with a healthy company. So I garnished with carrots, lightly steamed green peas, and baby corn.

Sending this entry to:
1. Nithya and Pavithra's "Garnish the Dish"

2. Though I don't have one yet to vouch it :) , I am sure kids will love this dish. Hence to Srivalli's Kid's Delight

Happy cooking!!