Indian Cheese And Red Peppers In Fragrant Spinach Sauce Recipes

INDIAN CHEESE AND RED PEPPERS IN FRAGRANT SPINACH SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Lay the paneer, farmer's cheese, or tofu pieces in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with paper towels and let dry for 10 minutes (this will enable them to hold their shape better during cooking).
• 2. Puree the spinach and green pepper together in a food processor or blender. The puree should be as fine and velvety as you can make it.
• 3. Heat 4 tablespoons of the oil in a large, heavy, nonstick pan over medium heat. Dust the paneer pieces lightly with flour and add them to the pan. Fry them in batches, turning and tossing them until they turn light golden (about 2 or 3 minutes per batch). Watch carefully to ensure that they do not burn. Take them out and put on a dish and set aside.
• 4. Add 2 more tablespoons of oil to the same pan, along with the onion. Fry the onion, stirring constantly, until brown (about 20 minutes). Add the ginger and fry for an additional 2 minutes. Add the turneric and green chilies, stir for a few seconds, then add the spinach puree along with 1/2 cup water, salt, and sweet red peppers. Mix well and bring to a boil. Lower heat and cook, covered, for 2 minutes. Add the fried paneer pieces, mix again thoroughly, and continue cooking for 2 more minutes. Stir in the garam masala.
• When ready to serve, heat thoroughly and, if desired, fold in the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to glaze and mellow the sauce.

ROTINI WITH ROASTED PEPPERS, SPINACH AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Char bell peppers over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Wrap in paper bag; let stand 10 minutes. Peel and seed peppers; cut into 1/2-inch strips.
• Mix flour and butter in small bowl to form paste. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions; sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add broth, wine, thyme and dried red pepper; simmer until liquid is reduced by half, about 6 minutes. Whisk in flour paste. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Add roasted peppers and spinach and simmer until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta well.
• Add pasta, Parmesan cheese and pine nuts to sauce and toss to coat.

SPINACH AND RED-PEPPER CALZONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500°F with rack in lowest position. Sprinkle cornmeal on a large baking sheet.
• Cook onion with 1/4 teaspoon salt in 2 tablespoons oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add spinach and cook, stirring frequently, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in red peppers, olives, and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
• Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 14-inch round, then cut into quarters. Roll out 1 quarter into an 8-inch square (keep remaining pieces covered) and arrange with a corner nearest you. Put one fourth of filling on lower half, leaving a 1-inch border, and top with 4 pieces of cheese. Fold dough over to enclose filling. Seal edges. Beginning in 1 corner, stretch sealed edge outward, pinching and rolling dough up over edge to resemble a rope, working your way around. Transfer to baking sheet. Make 3 more calzones in same manner. Cut 3 steam vents in top of each and brush with remaining tablespoon oil.
• Bake until golden-brown, 13 to 15 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before serving.