Paneer Pockets
There comes a time in every one’s life when getting into shape takes the top most priority, and eating healthy seems the only thing you can thing of. For Hubby Dear and me, okay, just me, not surprisingly, these times always seem to prefix a big event - the annual vacation, that special dinner party, family coming for a visit, or the slowly creeping summer! This time, same as years past, my will to get into shape (read: lose some weight!!) is strenghtened by the fact that our 2nd wedding anniversary is coming really close.With just over 6 weeks to stick to my plan, things may not be too easy, considering that I haven’t made that plan as yet!As I walked through the fresh produce aisle during our weekly grocery trip a few days ago, taking in all the wonderful shapes and colours of some not-so-crazy-about vegetables, I caught Hubby Dear wincing as I picked up a perky looking cauliflower.
HD: What’s that for?
Me: Ummn, we need to start eating healthy. I need to lose some weight to fit into that new dress I want to buy for our anniversary.
HD: What new dress? Wait, our anniversary is coming? Do I need to buy you a gift?
Me: Of course you do! It’s our anniversary!
HD: Yes sweety, but I just got you that wonderful thing for Valentine’s remember? I thought it would cover both occasions.
Me: Pity, but yea, you still have to buy me a gift.
HD: Okay, but can we atleast not start eating cauliflower? You know you don’t like it either! Besides, I’ll only eat cauliflower if it’s in the form of Gobi Manchurian.
Me: Yes, but I saw some really fun recipes on many blogs that I’d like to try out. And besides, we need to get more veggies into our diet.
HD: But we already do! Look at the tons of tomatoes you just picked up! Now come on, could we just have Paneer Pockets for dinner tonight?
Me: Do you know how much butter goes into that dough? You might as well eat a whole slab of butter! No, I’m making us a healthier dinner.
HD: Okay, but then if we get into this healthy eating binge you’re dreaming of, then you do realize that we have to cut down on munchies, right? That means our Friday night ritual of movies and finger-food is gonna change. Which also means that World Cup party you’re planning to host can’t have those little treats you’ve planned. And that means you won’t be able to blog about them. I’m sure they’ll taste great, but your readers will just have to do without them. Well, I guess they can surely look forward to your boiled cauliflower recipe!
Me: Wait, I won’t be able to blog about them?
An hour later, I couldn’t help but notice the mile long smile on Hubby Dear’s face as he bit into his Panner Pocket. We were nestled on our couch in front of the big screen TV watching our favourite movie. The cauliflower, if you’re wondering, is happily sitting in my fridge waiting to be turned into a lip-smacking snack in coming days.
And the weight thingie? Eh! Who says I’m out of shape? Round is a shape!!
PANEER POCKETS
Prep time: 25 min | Cooking time: 15-20 min | Makes: 8 medium sized treats
1 can
1 cup
1 cup
1 small
1 tsp
1 tsp
1/2 tsp
1/4 tsp
1/2 tsp
1 tbspPillsbury cresents
paneer, crumbled
spinach, chopped
onion, finely chopped
cumin seeds
coriander seeds
chilli powder
turmeric powder
garam masala
light cooking oil
salt, to taste
flour, as neeedSAUTE cumin and coriander seeds in hot oil till they start to sizzle. Fry onions till tender and slightly browned. Add chopped spinach and fry until spinach wilts.
ADD salt, chilli powder, turmeric and garam masala and fry for a few seconds. Stir in paneer and cook for a few minutes till done and blended well. Garnish with coriander leaves and set aside to cool.
PREHEAT oven to 375 degrees. Separate cresent triangles as directed. For each triangle, adding a little flour if needed, roll out dough to expand in size, while keeping the same triangular shape.
FILL each triangle with a spoonful of cooled panner filling and wrap the three corners of the dough.
BAKE for 20-25 minutes till lightly browned and done.
March 9th, 2007
Awesome recipe!…I love your site,the look of it,the variety of recipes(indian,chinese.soups …and what now) and the professional looking pictures….ROCK ON!
March 9th, 2007
Well, if your weight-loss motivation is to lose some pounds before your anniversary, it sounds like you don’t have anything to worry about. Your husband obviously likes you just the way you are.
March 9th, 2007
Meena,
Love the paneer pockets! What a great idea. I would love to make this for my friends when they come over!
Kanchana
March 9th, 2007
I live little stuffed crescents but I have to admit, I hate Pillsbury. I just feel it leaves a taste in your mouth that takes away from all of those other delicious flavors you have going on. I know time is an issue, but what about either (homemade) or even packaged crepes instead of the crescent? It would be something like a dosa, which I have no idea how to spell, but I they are delicious.
I love all of your inspirational photos. Faye
March 9th, 2007
I agree with you, round is a shape and a beautiful one at that! You have summarized the internal struggles a lot of folks go through while at a grocery store! Panner pockets look delicious!
March 9th, 2007
Great post! I often think “I could eat a salad tonight but who wants to read about cold vegetables and ranch dressing”
The Paneer Pockets sound super interesting - this is the first time I’ve heard of Paneer so I’ll have to be on the look-out next time.
March 9th, 2007
ahhh… round
lovely shape eh!
I really love you blog as well, it’s so great. actually I wanted to write about it as one of my faves.. is it ok? you can email me at the address on this comment.
thanks!
March 9th, 2007
Nice snack and perfectly souitable for movie time. Viji
March 10th, 2007
Oh myy..I had those mini ones sold at the punjab store, hm..they are ready made prepacked in box, imported I think, I think I can stop buying from them now hehe, thanks to you. By the way, Meena, sorry for my ignorance, I don’t know how paneer looks like ?
Thx for your time, and you have a lovely weekend, ohh..you know those finger foods, they are the new-age main course hehe 
March 10th, 2007
Lol, I love this post, i was really laughing out loud reading it, and the part about round being a shape… I love it
And wonderful recipe too..
March 10th, 2007
Hi Meena,
My recent post about hooked on heat was inspired by your blog…trust me when I said I was hooked on heat…spicy is the new sweet.
March 10th, 2007
Loved your site and all the recipes.
PS: You are/have a very talented photographer!
March 10th, 2007
I never get over what a talented writer you are. Great work once again!!! Who needs cookery books when we’ve got your blog!!!
March 11th, 2007
The paneer pockets look delicious Meena ! I have some filo dough I haven’t been using at all. I think I’ll make these pockets and use it up, can’t wait until I go to the grocery store to get the crescents
March 12th, 2007
Thank you for this wonderful site. Your recipes are perfection and your pictures are inspiring. I appreciate your time and effort in giving tips, recipes and the sweet stories that accompany each meal. To many more happy hours in the kitchen!
March 12th, 2007
Meena,
I thoroughly enjoyed this post. Of course round is a shape! That’s our world, round!
Leave the cold and come down to the sunny Caribbean for the World Cup! I’m sure hubby dear would love to be here in Barbados for the finals.
March 12th, 2007
That was funny! Definitely don’t give up your favorite things, especially if you intend to blog about them. For me, someone who loves to eat but gains weight easily, I find that moderation and lots of exercise works for me. I’ll eat rather healthfully during the week, especially breakfast (oatmeal with raisins and flaxseeds) and lunch (tuna made with yogurt, canola mayo and tons of spices on a whole wheat english muffin); and I’ll keep it more relaxed on the weekends. Your food is pretty healthy as it is, but you could always do homemade pastry dough and cut out several tablespoons of butter. I’ve made various recipes for tart dough, scones, muffins whatever, and whether they have a ton of butter or a fraction of that amount, they all work in their own way. I think baking is a bit more flexible than some chefs would have us believe…and I’m trying your paneer pockets!
March 13th, 2007
Every single time I have come to your blog in the last few days I have seen a new page template…and just when I think it can’t get better you come up with another one to takes its place !! Wonderful creativity Meena !
March 13th, 2007
Meena,
When I thought u just cant get any better, u bowled me out…. very nice writeup & the recipe. The thing I like abt ur recipes are that they are very simple to follow & they are fool proof, guaranteed results. I have tried quiet few recipes of urs. Ur snaps are above par, very professional.
Thanks Meena, as somone said, y need a cookbook when we have a blog like urs.
Keep up the good work. And I bet u look very beautiful as u are!!!
Thanks,
Aruna.
March 13th, 2007
paneer pockets- how do you make those? Your husband sure knows how to get what he wants
March 14th, 2007
Oh Meena, I just loved this. “Round is a shape” ~~ indeed! :):) Thanks for sharing!
March 14th, 2007
Just wondered what other sort of pastry would be suitable to use as in England, we don’t get the cans of Pilsbury dough.
Food looks great though.
March 14th, 2007
Meena, Firstly we are all perpetually on a weight loss programme and these suggestions really help. The images of the dishes are really great and tempt the taste buds, Great going! And the Paneer pockets - what a cute name and attractive presentation. Keep it going!
March 14th, 2007
Haha. That was funny. I’ve been having the same issues with my weight (coincidentally my friends tell me, too, that round is a shape)! Especially if you consider the eating during Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, Post-School Term Celebrations… alright, everyday. So not surprisingly, I’ve been striving hard to keep to my diet and exercising routine! But who can resist the temptation of little treats (especially so because I LOVE baking). Don’t ever give up on all these “sinful” food alright? Because I will so miss seeing them on your blog!
By the way, I’m loving the new layout!
March 14th, 2007
Hi Meena
what a wonderful blog u have ! Its really awesome.very neat and clear and presentable too .All kudoos to u..keep it up….
rashmi
March 15th, 2007
LOL! That was funny!! I talked to my hubby about healthy food and he convinced me about aloo and gobi fry for lunch! Paneer pockets are intersting, will try it.
March 15th, 2007
Hey Meena
These paneer pockets turned out awesome! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful recipe.
–altoid
March 16th, 2007
I love your recipes, they are delicious!!
I don’t want to be a self promoter, but check out my site, I try to live by the idea of “healthy living” and cooking in that style and I must say that we eat very well. There are even a few good recipes for cauliflower, the food is really delicious. The reason why I started this (probably like you and most bloggers) is because all my friends were always asking me how did I make that. Don’t get me wrong, I do love butter!!
March 16th, 2007
Thanks everyone!
March 17th, 2007
I just found your blog and enjoyed reading through your posts. I used your basic recipe to make a variation of a (non-authentic) type of samosa. They were really good. I posted about it and gave you credit. Thanks for the recipe.
March 21st, 2007
You have an onion in your ingredients, but not in the instructions. Do you cook that first before the spices and put aside?
Thanks for pointing that out, Scott. I made the necessary corrections.
April 25th, 2008
Those paneer pockets look divine, I can almost feel them melting in my mouth:) I LOVE frozen puff pastry!
September 7th, 2012
they look so yummy! really a good one. thanks