Miniature Multi Hued Paneer Cheese Balls Food

MINIATURE CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• Combine cream cheese, parmesan cheese and green olives.
• Shape into 1 inch (or smaller) balls.
• Roll each ball in chopped dried beef.
• Arrange on serving platter with decorative toothpicks in each mini cheese ball.

MINI CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• Mix 8 ounces softened cream cheese with 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest and 1 cup shredded firm cheese (like cheddar, parmesan, pepper jack or gouda); season with salt and pepper. With moistened hands, form into 1-inch balls, chill 4 hours, then roll in toppings. Here we used chopped pistachios, chives, tarragon, hulled pumpkin seeds, bacon with paprika, almonds, and black and white sesame seeds.

CARAMELIZED MILK BALLS IN THICK SYRUP

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the paneer cheese in advance. Prepare the dough for milk rolls. Then, in a food processor, process the paneer cheese and the milk roll dough until the mixture gathers into a ball that does not stick to the sides of the bowl.2. Place about 2 tablespoons sugar in a small dish. Then, with lightly buttered clean hands, shape the dough into 15 smooth, crack-free balls. Roll each ball in the sugar.3. Heat the shortening in a large heavy wok over medium-high heat until it reaches 325°F on a frying thermometer or until a piece of dough dropped into the hot oil rises to the top after 30 to 40 seconds. Do not make the oil any hotter the kaala jaams need to be fried long and slow. (If you can, leave the thermometer in the wok and carefully monitor the temperature as you cook, it should remain between 275°F to 325°F. Turn off the heat if it goes any higher.) Add half the kaala jaams and fry, stirring and turning gently with a slotted spatula, until they are very dark brown, about 7 minutes. Remove to paper towels to drain.4. Place the remaining sugar, water, and cardamom pods in a large skillet or wok and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to medium-low and simmer, about 5 minutes. Add the fried balls to the syrup and continue to simmer until the kaala jaams soak up the syrup, swell and become soft, and the sugar syrup becomes very thick and almost evaporates, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle the cardamom seeds on top and serve hot or at room temperature.VARIATION: There are many ways to serve kaala jaams: rolled in sweetened shredded coconut cut in half and dusted on the cut or the round sides with a sprinkling of dessert masala (this gives you twice as many pieces) or cut into halves or quarters and served in a pool of rabdi (Traditional Thickened Milk Pudding, see Desserts) garnished with some dessert masala.

MINIATURE MULTI-HUED PANEER CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the paneer cheese in advance. Then, place the paneer cheese in a food processor and process until it's smooth and starts to gather into a soft and pliable dough (just before it forms a ball). Remove and divide the dough equally into 4 portions. Mix 1 portion with 2 drops red food coloring, 1 with 2 drops yellow food coloring, and 1 with 2 drops green food coloring, and leave 1 portion white. Make 20 balls, about 1/3 inch around, from each portion, being sure to keep each ball free from cracks.2. Dissolve the sugar in the water and divide evenly into 4 portions. Working with each portion separately, place in a pressure cooker, along with 2 cardamom pods and 1 drop of matching food coloring. Secure the lid of the pressure cooker, place it over high heat, and cook until the regulator indicates high pressure, then cook about 30 to 40 seconds. Remove from the heat and allow the pot to depressurize on its own, 12 to 15 minutes.3. Carefully open the lid of the pressure cooker and bring to a boil once again over high heat. Continue to boil until most of the water evaporates, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl, add 1 drop rose essence, and set aside to cool. Repeat this procedure with each color, transferring each to a separate bowl. Then cover each bowl and refrigerate 6 hours to chill. Transfer to a serving plate, arranging the colors separately or tossing them together, and serve.From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

SAFFRON PANNER CHEESE TRIANGLES

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the paneer cheese in advance. Prepare the milk pudding. Prepare the almonds. Place the paneer cheese in a food processor and process the cheese until it's smooth and starts to gather into a soft and pliable dough (just before it forms a ball). Divide the dough into 15 equal portions and shape each one into a thick, crack-free triangle. This should be done between the palms of your clean hands, applying gentle pressure as you shape them. Cover and set aside.2. Place the water, sugar, cardamom pods and saffron in a pressure cooker and bring to a boil over high heat. Turn off the heat and add the triangles. Secure the lid of the pressure cooker, place it over high heat, and cook until the regulator indicates high pressure, then cook about 1 minute more. Remove from the heat and allow the pot to depressurize on its own, 12 to 15 minutes. Carefully open the lid of the pressure cooker and let cool, about 10 minutes. Transfer each cham-cham, one by one, to a tray, tilting the tray to one side to allow them to drain, 15 to 20 minutes. 3. Transfer to a serving platter. Place a dollop of the rabdi on each cham-cham, sprinkle with cardamom seeds, then top each with a pistachio. Refrigerate at least 6 hours before serving.From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.