Chhanar Dalna or Matar Paneer

I was thinking about my grandmother who loved Chhanar Dalna. Actually, it’s similar to Matar Paneer but much lighter. No use of onion or garlic. Tomatoes are optional. She would make it from scratch- the paneer (cottage cheese) from the milk and then make them into little dumplings or cubes to fry them first. While I have made it many times before, I avoided it for years when I had a sensitivity to dairy. We are trying to wean off our auto-immune disorder related stress. Let me try that for this weekend.

It’s not a kitchen experiment- it’s a classic traditional dish made in multiple households. Whenever we had vegetarian food in the house, the paneer was a go-to option for protein. Some people grew tired of it because there was so much of paneer in almost every gathering. I was often made to think of other vegetarian protein dishes for variety and to check whether I was less sensitive to some of them. Taste variations are also important in these kitchen experiments.

But we have Durga Puja/Navratri festivities coming up. We are doing a few traditional classic dishes to help ahead of the celebratory feasts. There’s a part of me which is going a bit- meh. That’s so boring and predictable. The other part is saying, if you are seeking homestyle comfort foods close to or far away from your notion of a “home”, this dish might be just the thing.

I haven’t posted any paneer recipes here though shared quite a few on our Youtube channel. This might help a few of my vegetarian friends remember and others who may actually love the taste of paneer.

Chhanar Dalna and a little tale

Last week I went to buy some sweets from a shop near the mall. It’s famous for its excellent sweets. As I walked in a little daze of my inner thoughts and worries, I saw an old woman who suddenly cried out to me. She was in a white saree, frail and sitting outside the mall doors.

Now I got a bit scared- the normal thinking is that she may be trying to get some money, some help or accosting strangers for a few favours. That was my first impulse. I smiled and just walked past quickly to finish my chores. But that image lingered in my mind, and I wasn’t able to quite place the discomfort.

I realised later, she reminded me of my grandmother. And I did have that sudden feeling; was she left there alone and had lost contact with her loved ones? Or is that a regular scam to try to fleece unsuspecting strangers. Truth is, we have so many such people here in this country and I feel quite helpless. I am unable to do much and this post is a simple acknowledgment of that reality.

I had an image of how it would be for me to be like that when I am older and weaker. I was left like that by my own family and friends many times in life. What happened after that in the different points of my life? I survived. Somehow, somewhere.

Do read more about some of the migration stories here.

Chhanar Dalna for friendly neighbours

My conversation with others of my age group is usually around their worries with their children. I can’t do much there either. So basically, I am only there to listen.

But I have eyes too. And my speaking up is not liked. Apparently, communication is a big problem with me. And here I am communicating away. 🙂

Kuchh doosron se seekho! (Learn something from others) I was told repeatedly.

What should I learn? I went to talk to the gardener, and he narrated a story again about some Manasa Devi pujo. I had never heard of that before.

Something done to prevent children from getting bitten by snakes in the villages. I was curious- does that still happen? Apparently, yes. Now, we are fighting with the war against “snacks” eating into their regular nourishing meals and not “snakes”.

Chhanar Dalna to stop noise pollution

Honestly, mothers are giving up. Too many things to control and beyond a point- you have to let go. Especially when you have fathers and brothers bribing the kids with snacks, clothes, toys, books or more. 🙂

So, who hasn’t done that with a child throwing a tantrum? Worse still is the silent sulking one who won’t say anything. Nothing louder than that, I say. But who’s listening to me? I am really asking for a simple reality check here.

Some of my brothers and sisters are avoiding a revisit to their hometown. But others are looking forward to it. All this is a confused mix- a babble really.

What about me? I am thinking about what to cook for those who may come over. Usually it helps to plan in advance and ask them if you don’t know what they feel like having.

Funny thing is you don’t focus on the food often when you are busy just chatting or talking to others. Sometimes, it’s too late to make a few things at the last minute and you order in. Anything goes with a few old friends or close members of the family.

Chhanar Dalna with or without potatoes?

But here’s me sharing this recipe so that others can remember that I did wait for a few of them. They never came. So, I shared my recipes. They could try it themselves if they like and enjoy it later.

I had a bit of a query around potatoes. We had a fight over it many times. There was a question around why you need extra carbs when you are going to have it with rice or flatbreads. Well, in Bengal where I come from- this is an act of mutiny. If you question the right to put potatoes in almost everything, we will have a few deaths.

So this is my peace offering. Chhanar Dalna it is with potatoes and peas. Now, the peas part of it is kind of a little nod to the British colonial influence. Mind you, we are very aware of it and it’s kind of a touchy topic right now. We have extremely politically savvy youngsters who can twist a simple act of putting something in a dish into a much larger than life problem. My helper is telling me you should make kadi pakodas.

I am eternally grateful to her for many suggestions like this instead of doing her work. I’m learning more as I imbibe the special rum laced ram bhakti from bhakti movement exponents. There’s a definite opposition from tantrik shakthi movement brothers and sisters. You heard of the Divide and Rule philosophy? We learnt it from the best, it seems.

Kuchh doosro se mat seekhon.

Chhanar Dalna is a simple reminder

So, let’s get on with it. Some of the kids really hate the peas. Or you may even have a weird fascination with picking out anything which is coloured green out of a bowl. Ah well, to the parents who brought up such kids- no judgment. It’s a wonder you survived.

I don’t care as much about what happens to my own body. Does it matter whether it is burnt or buried after you are dead? I mean burial takes up more space. Land is scarce in some parts- so I said cremation makes sense. It’s an act of acceptance.

I asked my yoga teacher if I can do sheershashan again. Can I take that as a goal to work upon? I told her I was able to do it earlier. And she said no.

I am reflecting upon it and realised that it didn’t really matter as much anymore. I didn’t feel the anger or the necessary rage to build up to the drive that is needed to “disprove” her. Actually, you need a very cool head for it- quite the opposite.

I’m thinking about upper body strength- that’s a challenge. Like, what would happen if I couldn’t do it. I thought- nothing. 😀

Chhanar Dalna is very simple

Here’s me narrating once again- go climb your own mountains. Or do your beach holidays. Run to the forests or just simply be wherever you wish to be.

This website was primarily about food recipes and food stories. Then there were the narratives around how food and travel or food and art impacted our lives. It’s such a large space- I cannot possibly fill it up. Today, I’m just trying to fill up the stomachs of a few hungry people here or there. Others are doing a much better job.

It’s not an emergency. You can make this later or choose not to make it at all.

The spices used are very regular ones found in most kitchens or supermarkets these days. And the main thing is the quality of the chhana or paneer. Doesn’t require too many kitchen equipment. It’s suitable for outdoor cooking or places with power fluctuation or electrical outage problems- say if you are camping or something. (Will you get paneer there? No. So that was a stupid line).

For those who hate chopping onions- this one is calling out your name. I recommend mustard oil with it for the characteristic pungent aroma for a very traditional classic feel, but we can make it with any good white oil.

Footnote

Learning Wherever I can

Oh Carol, you really make me green

How you have managed such a big team

My compliments to Jessie – quick addressee

For this particular gratitude note

You had another group of three who did manage me

For a few hours when I felt like a tired old hag

With many complaints and a constant nag

And they turned me into a baby for a glam mag

Unfortunately, no paparazzi around 🙂

Choices! choices! We are the ones with no voices

So, we find some solace in the little box of colours

Should I dip it in blood red or a sober glassy brown?

Or a funky metallic finish for the class clown

My attitude with black paint is missing today

You go for it if that makes your day.

P.S: I share this little note that we are with blue nails

And no longer with the turmeric stains.

Melting Lemon Drop 27.09.2026