Suvir Sarans Guacamole With Toasted Cumin Recipes

TAMARIND CHICKEN WINGS

Steps:

• Put the wings in a large bowl, followed by honey, olive oil, salt, garam masala, cumin, paprika, and cayenne. Toss to combine, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Let rest 30 minutes, overnight, or up to several days in the refrigerator.
• Bring 2 cups of water to a simmer in a small saucepan, then add the asafoetida, ginger, cayenne, and garam masala. Meanwhile, toast cumin and fennel in a small skillet until they're fragrant and slightly smoky. Transfer to a small bowl to cool, then grind the seeds in a mortar and pestle until they're coarse and sandy. Add to water-and-spice mixture, followed by the sugar, and stir to combine. Add tamarind and continue cooking for 20 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. After 20 minutes, check chutney for consistency-it should look like a chocolate sauce. Remove from heat to cool. Meanwhile, line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil; place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet and arrange the marinated chicken wings in a single layer. Bake 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer wings to a large bowl. Toss with the chutney, then replace wings on the rack and bake again, 5-10 minutes, until golden brown.
• Remove chicken wings and serve.

SAAG PANEER

Steps:

• For the paneer: Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Spread ricotta cheese in a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper so it's about the thickness of a French fry. Bake for 50 minutes.
• For the saag: In a large pot, bring two inches of water to a boil. Add the spinach, cover, and steam until wilted, about 5 minutes. Drain and place in a food processor, then purée until smooth; set aside. Add 2 tablespoons canola oil to a wok or kadai, then add cumin, chilies, fennel, cloves, cardamom and asafoetida. Turn heat to medium to "bloom" the spices until they are fragrant and jumping, about 5 minutes. Add ginger; stir and continue cooking until aroma is released and its texture is slightly crispy, 1-2 minutes. Add puréed spinach (with 1-2 tablespoons of water, optional, to remove the spinach from the food processor). Add salt and continue mixing; then turn off the heat, cover, and set aside.
• Add the fenugreek and 2 tablespoons canola oil to a small skillet and place over medium heat to roast. Add 1-2 tablespoons water; stir and continue cooking until it sizzles and releases a slightly bitter aroma, 2 minutes. Add to spinach mixture, stir and set aside. Remove the paneer from the oven and cut into 1-inch squares.
• Add 1 tablespoon canola oil to a nonstick skillet; over medium heat, fry the paneer cubes in a single layer until crispy, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. For the tempering oil: In the small saucepan, heat the ghee over medium heat; then add cumin, fennel, chilies, and asafoetida and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add cayenne pepper and 1 teaspoon of water (to keep the cayenne from burning) and set aside.
• Place saag in a serving bowl, then top with paneer cubes, followed by more spinach. Spoon tempering oil over the top before serving.

SUVIR SARAN'S GUACAMOLE WITH TOASTED CUMIN

Steps:

• Cut avocados into small dice. The easiest way to do this is to cross-hatch the flesh with a paring knife while still in the skin, then scoop out into a bowl.
• Add remaining ingredients and combine. Taste, adjust salt, and serve.

GUACAMOLE WITH CUMIN DUSTED TORTILLAS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a molcajete and mix to a chunky consistency. Season, to taste, with salt, pepper, and cilantro. Serve immediately with cumin tortilla chips.;
• Fry the tortillas, in batches, until light golden brown. Drain on paper towels and season immediately with cumin and salt.