Paneer Do Pyaza

I wanted to write about my weekend trip to the Chesapeake Bay. I am good at writing travel stories but I wanted to share the beauty of the place. This is my first travelogue, hence, I believe you will forgive me if it doesn’t convey the real feel and beauty of the place. We started from Burgh by early morning and it was almost 8 hours. As per the facts mentioned in their official site. (www.CBBT.com)

“For over 50 years, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel has captured worldwide attention as a modern engineering wonder and an important East Coast travel convenience. Crossing over and under open waters where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, the Bridge-Tunnel provides a direct link between Southeastern Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula (Delaware plus the Eastern Shore counties in Maryland and Virginia), and cuts 95 miles from the journey between Virginia Beach and points north of Wilmington, Delaware.

Following its opening on April 15, 1964, the Bridge-Tunnel was selected “One of the Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World” in a worldwide competition that included more than one hundred major projects.”

From shore to shore, the Bridge-Tunnel measures 17.6 miles (28.4 km) and is considered the world’s largest bridge-tunnel complex. Construction of the span required undertaking a project of more than 12 miles of low-level trestle, two 1-mile tunnels, two bridges, almost 2 miles of causeway, four manmade islands and 5-1/2 miles of approach roads, totaling 23 miles. Although individual components are not the longest or largest ever built, the Bridge-Tunnel is unique in the number of different types of structures it includes. In addition, construction was accomplished under the severe conditions imposed by hurricanes, northeasters, and the unpredictable Atlantic Ocean.”

The weather was perfectly awesome for a long drive and we started from our hotel on the early morning itself. All we could see for miles is the blue ocean water; birds chirping; a tranquility. The entire round trip took about 20 – 30 minutes.

The Bridge-Tunnel project is a four-lane 20-mile-long vehicular toll crossing of the lower Chesapeake Bay. The facility carries US 13, the main north-south highway on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, and provides the only direct link between Virginia’s Eastern Shore and south Hampton Roads, Virginia.

“The crossing consists of a series of low-level trestles interrupted by two approximately one-mile-long tunnels beneath Thimble Shoals and Chesapeake navigation channels. The manmade islands, each approximately 5.25 acres in size, are located at each end of the two tunnels. There are also high-level bridges over two other navigation channels: North Channel Bridge and Fisherman Inlet Bridge.”

Tunnels are underground tunnels and you will be driving in the sea. Sounds interesting right?  The bay is home for migrated birds and I was able to capture few of them.  After a pleasant drive on the bay, we headed over to Virginia Beach and by the time we reached the beach, clouds started pouring down. We couldn’t spend more time on the beach! I will learn to drive cleanly someday and drive on my own through the tunnel. Few moments captured through my lenses are scattered in this space for your view

Do Piaza in Persian means two onions and this curry is usually prepared with double the quantity of onions. Onions are added at two stages during cooking and hence the name. There is a story behind the curry – A courtier of Mughal emperor Akbar Mullah Do piaza accidentally added a lot of onions to the dish which later became a staple dish. Paneer Do Pyaza is a semi gravy recipe prepared with soft paneer and plenty of onions in a creamy base. Onions are added initially and at the end, sauteed onions are added to give a crunchy feel to the gravy. The gravy is not spicy and has a pinch of sweetness due to plenty of onions added with the tanginess of tomatoes. This is usually served as a starter and goes well with chapatti/roti.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cubed Paneer
• 2 tablespoon Oil
• 1 ½ medium sized onions, cut lengthwise
• 1 medium sized onions, cubed
• 2  ½  medium sized tomatoes, chopped finely
• 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
• 2 cardamom pods
• 1 ½ teaspoon Ginger Garlic paste
• ¼ teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 ½ teaspoon Red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Kasthuri Methi
• ½ teaspoon Garam masala
• ¼ cup Heavy cream
• Salt required

Method:

• In a kadai, add a half teaspoon of oil and add onions; Cook until they become translucent. Keep aside
• In the same kadai, add remaining oil and cumin seeds. Wait until they sizzle. Add cardamom seeds and saute until nice aroma comes out of it.
• Add lengthwise cut onions and cook until they become transparent. Add ginger garlic paste and saute for a minute
• Add tomatoes and cook until they become saucy. Add spice powders, kasthuri methi required amount of salt and toss them well
• Simmer the gravy. Cook until moisture is absorbed and oil starts leaving from the sides
• Add cubed paneer, fried onions and give them a stir
• Add a dash of cream and simmer the gravy for about 3-4 minutes
• Switch off the flame and serve warm with chapati or roti