Stuffed Paneer Pakora

Ingredients

• 250 g paneer(cottage cheese)
• 2 –3 pieces aamsotto (dried mango leather)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper powder
• 1/2 cup gram flour (besan)
• 2 tsp rice flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup cooking oil, plus more for deep frying

Steps

1. Cut the paneer into slightly thin square pieces. Sprinkle salt, black pepper powder and Kashmiri red chilli powder over the paneer slices. Gently coat them and keep aside for a few minutes.
2. To prepare the batter, combine gram flour, salt, turmeric powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder and baking soda in a bowl. Add water gradually and whisk well to make a smooth, medium-thick batter. Cover and let it rest for a few minutes.
3. Place a small piece of aamsotto on one paneer slice. Cover it with another paneer slice and gently press the edges so that the stuffing stays securely inside.
4. Heat oil in a kadai. Add a little of the hot oil to the prepared batter and mix well. This helps make the pakoras lighter and crispier. Dip each stuffed paneer piece into the batter, making sure it is evenly coated.
5. Carefully slide it into the hot oil and fry on both sides over medium heat until golden and crisp.
6. Repeat with the remaining stuffed paneer pieces. Drain on a kitchen towel and serve hot with tomato ketchup or coriander chutney.