Owner Sandeep Malhotra visits ABC7 Chicago, along with his mother, whom he calls "Aunty" Malhotra, to share some unique and distinctive Indian recipes.
MUTTER PANEER
(Green Peas and Paneer Cheese Curry)
Serves 4-6 people
Ingredients
10 oz. Paneer Cheese (cut into cubes)
10 oz. Frozen Peas
1 large red onion (finely chopped)
three-fourths cup tomato puree
1tsp. ginger paste
1tsp. garlic paste
one-quarter tsp. turmeric powder
one-half tsp. red chilly powder
1 tsp. garam masala spice blend
1 tsp. ground coriander powder
1 tsp salt (adjusted to taste)
3-4 tablespoons vegetable / cooking oil
2 and one-half cups of water
Method:
Heat the oil in a pan on medium-high heat.
Fry the finely chopped onions till golden brown.
Then add the garlic ginger paste. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Then add the tomato puree. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
Then add all the spices and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes, until oil separates.
Then add the peas and paneer. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add the water and let it boil.
Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking till the sauce thickens (to the consistency of a marinara sauce).
Note:
Paneer is an Indian cottage cheese. It is widely available frozen in grocery stores along Chicago's wonderful Little India neighborhood on Devon Avenue (west of Western). Paneer is also available in the dairy and cheese aisles of leading specialty stores like Whole Foods, Wild Oats, Treasure Island, etc.
(Press Release:)
MARIGOLD HOSTS SECOND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION SPECIAL "PARAMPARA" MENU CREATED BY "AUNTY" MALHOTRA
(Chicago, IL) Marigold Restaurant will celebrate its two year anniversary in August, complete with menu specials, a ChicaGourmets event, and special guest, Balbir "Aunty" Malhotra, the woman behind Marigold's recipes. The anniversary festivities will begin on August 8, 2008, when Marigold will offer $2 Kingfisher Indian Beer and $2 samosas (dine in only).
Then, the celebration will resume on August 14, 2008. Co-owners Jim Dragatsis and Sandeep Malhotra have invited Aunty (Sandeep's mother) Malhotra all the way from India to cook at Marigold and create a Parampara Menu (the Indian word for "tradition") with her favorite dishes. This menu will be offered at the ChicaGourmets dinner on Thursday, August 14, 2008, and certain dishes will be offered a la carte during Marigold's weekend-long celebration from Friday, August 15 to Sunday, August 17, 2008. For reservations, call 773.293.GOLD (4653).
In 2006, owners Jim and Sandeep opened Marigold Restaurant to introduce Chicago diners to a new type of Indian dining experience by providing fresh, clean, and unique Indian flavors. To do this, they went to the true core of Indian cuisine – time tested family recipes. They called upon "Aunty" Malhotra to share her family secrets. Marigold's menu is based on her recipes and her guidance on the techniques that form the essence of Indian cuisine. To help commemorate its second anniversary Marigold is honored to invite "Aunty" Malhotra to its kitchen once again to create a special anniversary menu of her own family favorites.
Marigold will host a special evening with ChicaGourmets! on August 14 at 6:00 p.m. with a reception, followed by a sit-down dinner at 6:30 p.m. The dinner is priced at $68 per person, all-inclusive. Reservations are required by August 10, 2008, and can be made by calling ChicaGourmets! at 708.383.7543 or by visiting www.chicagourmets.org
ChicaGourmets menu on August 14, 2008:
To Begin
Leopardi Brut Rose Cava 2004 (Penedes, Spain)
Gulnaar 'Seekh' Kabab
seasonal vegetable kababs minced with dry roasted barbeque spices and grilled,
served with chutney
Koftas
spiced hand-rolled ground lamb dumplings braised in a fenugreek tomato broth
Corte Alla Flora Giuggiolo Vino Bianco IGT 2006 (Tuscany, Italy)
Dinner
Podi Stuffed Baingan Pyaaz
lentil and mango powder stuffed baby Indian eggplant,
roasted and glazed with an onion and cumin sauce
Murgh Saagwala
boneless chicken slow-cooked in fresh spinach, tomato, cream, and garam masala,
served with basmati rice
Achs Zweigelt 2006 (Burgenland, Austria)
Dessert
Mango Phirni
mango flavored north Indian "panna cotta"
Marigold is a modern Indian restaurant, in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Its food, philosophy and décor are all inspired by and rooted in India, and its historic and vibrant culture. Owners Jim Dragatsis and Sandeep Malhotra serve authentic Indian cuisine in a contemporary form. The unique and distinctive menu incorporates a broad and wonderful spectrum of ingredients and flavors from India. Open Tuesday through Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Sunday, 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; closed Mondays. Valet parking. Carry-out available. For more information, call 773.293.GOLD or visit www.marigoldrestaurant.com
