Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese), such a versatile ingredient. A favourite among vegetarians can be used to prepare everything and anything from starters/ appetizers, main course, desserts, or serve it just like the way it is ... in raw form with some salt, crushed black pepper and chaat masala for starters... I remember mom used to saute paneer cubes in very little oil, sprinkled with salt, chaat masala and some red pepper and served it as snacks with tomato ketchup and coriander chutney.
This recipe uses Doritos--Nacho Cheese (Cheese Flavoured Tortilla Chips), for coating Paneer along with breadcrumbs. I came across this recipe two years back while looking for Mac Donald's Spicy Paneer Wraps recipe...
Earlier whenever I made nuggets/cheese corn balls, I used corn flakes or bread crumbs but now I use Doritos often, as it imparts an altogether different flavour and a nice crunch. Kind of got hooked to these that have used it in many recipes like Crunchy Aloo tikkis and Veggie Cutlets....and trying on many more ways to use it in snacks and appetizers. Will keep updating.
Please see the notes below in case Doritos are not available at your place.
You can make ahead these and freeze in a ziplock bag or airtight container stays good for about 10-15 days. When using, just fry in hot oil. Also, you can increase the quantity of ingredient if planning to make a big batch.
Let's gather the ingredients and make these crunchy nuggets, with two of our favourites... Paneer and Doritos!!
Ingredients:
Paneer--- 250 gms
Doritos--- 1 pack(not going to use whole)
Cornstarch--3-4 Tbsp
Red Chilly Powder---1/4 to 1/2 tsp(you can take more if you like it to be spicier)
Oil -- for frying
Salt
Method:
Cut Paneer into cubes as shown in the pics below.
Crush Doritos very fine with a rolling pin or in chopper/processor.
Transfer to a mixing bowl, add bread crumbs, 1/4 tsp of salt, powder, and mix well. Keep aside.
Mix in 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with salt and 1/4 tsp of red chilly powder, don't use much of salt since we need salt to coat the paneer pieces only and Doritos already have salt in it so the Nuggets can get too salty.
Take paneer pieces in a bowl, sprinkle very little water on pieces. Sprinkle cornstarch+salt mix, little by little, and mix nicely. Don't use too much of it. We have to coat with a very thin layer of cornstarch.
Add a 1-2 tablespoon Doritos mixture to Paneer cubes and press nicely on it, so that it coats the cubes evenly.
Keep in the fridge covered with cling film for 5-10 minutes.
Make slurry with cornstarch with very little salt in it (just a pinch or two) and red chilly powder(optional).
Take out the paneer cubes from the refrigerator for the final coat.
Take a paneer cube, dip it in the slurry and roll it into Doritos mixture.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to an hour.
Heat sufficient oil in a kadhai( heavy skillet/ pan), deep fry until crispy and golden brown. Once done, take out from oil and absorb excess oil on kitchen towel.
Serve hot with the sauces or chutney of your choice.
I love to have these with Sweet Chilli Sauce. Kids will love with Tomato ketchup. My elder one loves it with mint-coriander chutney. Try with a mix of tomato ketchup and sriracha sauce, for some spice.
*Notes: If you don't have Doritos, take corn flakes/plain nachos, crush finely, add in with breadcrumbs with red chilly powder, black pepper powder, Mexican seasoning and use in place of Doritos in the recipe.You can also try with any corn chips
Make Spicy Paneer wraps---Cut Paneer cubes into big stripes and follow the same process for coating, you can use it in with chapatis/tortilla for a saucy wrap. Soon be uploading detailed post for Mac Donald's style Saucy and Spicy Paneer Wraps.
Or use these nuggets to make Crunchy Chilli Paneer.
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Foodorb Pty Ltd
Looking Sooooo Yummy........
Thanks for sharing this yummy post..