Author: Sassy Sherni

Indo-Chinese: Chili Paneer

Categories FoodLeave a Comment on Indo-Chinese: Chili Paneer



Indo-Chinese food is a tier all on its own. I love this cuisine so much and I feel not enough people in the world are familiar with it. Of course, it’s a staple for most Indian households, but so many are unaware that this type of cuisine exists and are missing out on all of its deliciousness.

I adore the fusion of Indian and Chinese flavors. They’re so bold on their own and to mix them together is just divine. Seriously, kudos to whoever thought of this. I would’ve never imagined fusing these two cuisines together otherwise.

Today, I’m bringing to you a super popular Indo-Chinese recipe – Chili Paneer! Paneer is a delicious soft cheese very common in Indian cooking and it goes perfectly with the “Chili” aspect of Chinese cooking. This dish is a fan favorite amongst both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. My recipe is a bit on the spicier side and you can totally turn down (or up) the spice according to your personal preference.

Some tips before we proceed:

– Frying: You can deep fry or shallow fry the paneer. I usually stick to shallow frying since the paneer is easy to handle and turn in the oil. And much less amount of oil is used which is plus. Also, be sure not to overcook the paneer. 2-4 minutes is more than enough otherwise the paneer will get hard and rubbery.
– Chili Powder: Adding red chili powder in the batter is totally optional. Like I said, I love everything spicy so I’m always incorporating it in any way I can.
– Oil: The oil you use won’t make a huge difference. However, sesame oil is highly recommended because it adds a lot of depth to the flavor of this dish. I don’t always have sesame oil in the pantry and often resort to vegetable oil which works just as fine.
– Vinegar: You can use rice or apple cider vinegar but if you don’t have them on hand, don’t fret. A dash of white vinegar will do just fine.
– Green chillies: Once again, these are totally optional. If you’re not big on spice, I’d skip these since they add quite a kick to the dish. Just the chili sauce should suffice in this case.
– Garnish: You can garnish this dish with many different things such as toasted sesame seeds, coriander, scallions, or even some celery.
– Serve: You can serve this as an appetizer or pair it with some rice and make a main course out of it.

Chili Paneer

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: 3
  • Print

A popular dish that incorporates flavors from India and China to make it a unique and delicious meal.


Ingredients

    For batter & frying:

  • 1/2 cup frying oil (I used Canola)
  • 12 oz paneer – cut into cubes
  • 3 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp red chili powder (optional)
  • 1/2 cup water

    • For the sauce:

  • 3-4 tbsp sesame or vegetable oil
  • 1 bell pepper – cut in small squares
  • 1 medium onion – cut in small squares
  • 2 tbsp chopped ginger
  • 2 tbsp chopped garlic
  • 2 green chillies – sliced lengthwise
  • 2 dry red chillies
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp chili sauce
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tsp rice or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1/4 cup water

    • For the slurry:

  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 3-4 tbsp water

Directions

  1. Heat up 1/2 cup oil in pan. I shallow fry the paneer. You can also add more oil and completely deep fry.
  2. Take a large bowl and add all the dry ingredients for the batter.
  3. Mix in water slowly and you can add a tbsp or two more if consistency is too thick.
  4. Add in the paneer and coat paneer well with batter.
  5. Once oil is heated, transfer paneer to the pan and start frying.
  6. Fry both sides for about 2 minutes. Drain excess oil and transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel once paneer is slightly golden brown.
  7. In a small bowl, add a tablespoon of cornstarch with 3-4 tbsp of water and mix until cornstarch dissolves. Set aside.
  8. Heat up 3-4 tbsp of oil on medium heat in a separate pan.
  9. Add the garlic, ginger, and dry red chillies to the pan.
  10. Sauté until ginger and garlic is fragrant and golden brown.
  11. Toss in bell pepper and onion.
  12. Sauté veggies until fragrant. Make sure they stay crunchy.
  13. Add soy sauce to the veggies and cook for one more minute.
  14. Toss in the green chillies.
  15. Now add the chili sauce, ketchup, vinegar and sugar into the mixture. Cook for a minute more.
  16. Add in your cornstarch slurry. Mix in for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens.
  17. If the sauce thickens too much and you prefer it at a thinner consistency, add 1/4 cup water in and stir well.
  18. Transfer to a bowl and serve!




I’ve added some photos below that you can reference to step by step.
Hopefully this will make the entire process smoother for you!

Consistency of the batter should be as shown above.

The amount of oil I use for shallow frying is covers half the paneer cube. Fry until golden brown like above.
Ginger, garlic and dry red chillies sautéed in a pan until golden brown.
Veggies should look like above after soy sauce and green chillies are added.
Sauce and its consistency if you want a semi-dry chili paneer.
Final product once paneer is added.
Ta-da! Bon Appetit!



Hope you guys enjoyed this recipe and please message me if you try it out or have any questions at all. I’d love to see your pictures and how it turned out! Feel free to tag me or message me on Instagram – @sassysherni.


xo,
S

Sustainable Fashion Brands That Won’t Break The Bank!

Categories FashionLeave a Comment on Sustainable Fashion Brands That Won’t Break The Bank!

We all love clean, sustainable brands and more consumers are now focusing on ethical fashion. However, it’s difficult to justify buying eco-friendly products considering the hefty price tag that comes along with it. Unfortunately, many people (including myself) turn to fast fashion brands for their retail therapy. These clothes usually wear out after a few spins in the laundry, but we’re also well aware that the cost of quality pieces can be high.

Still, we must ask ourselves: where are the clothes that we wear coming from? What conditions are they being made in? Who’s making them for us and are they being paid adequately? We’re all slowly realizing fast fashion brands may come at a low price but also come at another cost – the cost of humanity.

Recently, we’ve been made aware of the struggles of Bangladeshi garment workers who labor away tirelessly for 12 hours a day for a meagre wage of less than $90 a month. For most households, that’s the only income they make. Many fashion brands have cancelled their orders and many now refuse to pay their workers any sort of pandemic assistance or even what they previously owe them. The workers are convinced they’ll die of hunger before they die of COVID-19. Fair wages are a basic human being right and no one should be denied that.

Along with being a hazard to many workers, these brands are also unethically produced. They use many non-renewable sources that will one day become largely scarce for the generations following us. Sustainable brands develop their products responsibly using renewable resources and leaving as little of ecological footprints as possible. They truly care about their employees, consumers and the world.

So in order to make a conscious effort towards sustainable living, I’ve curated a list of the most affordable ethical brands. They’ll make you feel amazing both inside and out without putting a dent in your wallet. Check them out below!

  • Allbirds – An amazing footwear brand that prides itself on sustainability through its revolutionary merino wool fabric. Simple, comfortable and super reasonable. Some of the comfiest shoes on the market right now with lots of options for both men and women.
  • Pact – A versatile brand with sustainable fashion for women, men, and kids as well as bed & bath products. They only believe in using organic cotton and want to make it as affordable as possible for everyday use. Currently, you can get 20% off your first order and they accept returns for up to 60 days to ensure you love whatever you purchase from them.
  • Tentree – This brand is one of my personal favorites simply because of how dedicated they are to their cause. Tentree creates fashion-forward clothing for men, women and kids as well as accessories. Everything is made from sustainable materials and inclusive to different body types. Best part about them? They plant ten trees for every item sold and have planted almost 44 million trees so far! Such an amazing way to support the environment.
  • Girlfriend Collective – An activewear brand that believes in ethical manufacturing and recycled materials. They’re inclusive to all body types with sizes running from XXS to 6XL. They also produce all their bras and leggings from recycled and used water bottles instead of unused ones which is what most brands use to produce synthetic fabric (such as nylon & polyester). Girlfriend Collective is super transparent about their process and what they do to remain a great, ethical brand. Check out their website for more details.
Allbirds Women’s Tree Runners
Pact Women’s Tie-Front Midi Dress
Tentree Women’s W Leafy Shore Dress
Girlfriend Collective Topanga Bra
  • Alternative Apparel – Simple, comfortable and sustainable. This brand uses recycled organic cotton to create their clothing. Their super soft fabric is made for women, men and children and they have great, casual options for daily wear.
  • Lucy & Yak – I’ve been obsessed with this brand as of lately. Their story is incredible and they’ve been making such a great social and environmental impact. Their workers all earn a living wage whether they’re in the UK or in North India, where their factory resides. They use soft, organic fabrics to create their signature dungarees and clothes. I’ve linked their denim dress (made out of organic cotton denim) below and it’s on sale right now! Fun fact: The tailors add a number they’ve been assigned to every article of their clothing and if you go on their site, you’ll see a picture of who tailored your exact item.
  • We Are We Wear – A swimwear brand that provides sizes from XS to 3XL. They believe in comfortable swimwear that makes women feel confident and challenges the unrealistic expectations of society. Their Eco-Edit collection is made from unwanted waste materials such as fishnets, plastics and fabric scraps. They also have a collaboration with Urban Outfitters right now.
  • 31 Bits – A versatile women’s jewelry brand which gives the opportunity to artisans around the world to create unique pieces that women like us would buy. Some of my favorites include: these dancing bead hoops, the heart signet ring and this minimalistic evil eye bracelet. Also check out their Ayesha Curry collection. I adore the love necklace linked below!
Alternative Apparel Organic Cotton Stevie Wrap
Lucy & Yak ‘Organic Mini Pini’ Soft Denim Dress
We Are We Wear ECO Eva Spot Square Neck Crop Bikini Top
31 Bits Love Necklace By
Ayesha Curry



Any fun, affordable and sustainable fashion finds I’m missing out on? Let me know in the comments below or message me on Insta – @sassysherni. Your messages are my fave.


xo,
S

Seven Skincare Finds You’ll Love!

Categories BeautyLeave a Comment on Seven Skincare Finds You’ll Love!

Hi, my lovely glam goddesses (and gods)! I’ve been feeling a bit out of funk lately and I think everyone can agree with me that this quarantine has turned our lives upside down. The last three months have really been about discovering new things that are good for my mind, body and soul — including my skin! I have always been a diehard skincare junkie and got into it at a much younger age than everyone else I knew. From my early 20s, I’ve made it a point to incorporate great products into my skincare regimen. However, I haven’t always been consistent with it which is the major key when it comes to taking care of your skin. I can also attest to the fact that it hasn’t always been pleasant or gone my way, but finding the right products for you is truly about trial and error. Today, I want to share some great products I’ve been using during this quarantine and how they’ve really helped turn my skin around. I hope this list aids you in any sort of way and possibly introduces you to something you end up loving! Click on the name of the product below for its Sephora/website link.

  1. Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum
    I’m a sucker for any good serums, but especially one that consists of Vitamin C. This serum is now a staple in my skin care routine. It contains 20% Vitamin C and 10% AHA which is truly a unique blend of ingredients that help brighten, smooth, and even your skin tone. I’ve been using it in my daytime skin care routine for over three months now and there’s noticeable difference in my acne scarring. This serum helps fight any aging due to free radicals, helps with cell turnover, and reduces the appearance of dark spots and scarring. Another added bonus – it’s vegan and cruelty free!

  2. Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream
    This is a great moisturizer for anyone with combination to oily skin. My skin tends to get a bit oily as the weather gets warmer and this water cream provides great hydration, but leaves it feeling smooth without being greasy. I love that it absorbs right in and keeps my skin looking supple. This cream is definitely one of my summer staples and the packaging is also super cute. By the way, Saturday Skin is a clean beauty brand so make sure to check out their other products.

  3. Elemis Facial Peel Pads
    I’ve been really into facial pads lately and I received these in a subscription box a few months ago. I honestly didn’t think these would deliver the results I was looking for but boy, was I wrong. These facial pads are super gentle yet exfoliate your skin so well. I don’t prefer physical scrubs and these truly take away the need for that. They revitalize your skin while also renewing your cell turnover. These pads include ingredients such as probiotics and lactic acid to help re-texturize your skin but also not dry it out. I highly recommend adding this into your skin care regimen, especially if you’re new to using facial pads.

  4. Tatcha Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder
    Can you tell how much I love Tatcha? This is the second item I’m obsessed with coming from this brand. Like I mentioned before, I’m not really a fan of physical scrubs. However, this is the only one that makes an exception. This rice enzyme powder is so soft and smooth on the skin that you’ll think it’s a cleanser instead of an actual exfoliator. This powder transforms into the creamiest foam that lightly scrubs away at debris and leaves your skin feeling supple and soft. I’ve seen so much improvement in the minimization of my pores as well as great clarity and radiance of my skin. I personally use the classic version of this but there are four different versions that cater to specific skin needs. Give this a try, you won’t be disappointed! Tatcha is also another clean beauty brand and prides itself on the standard of their ingredients – always a plus!
source: giphy
  1. Dr. Brandt 24/7 Retinol Eye Cream
    If you’re already incorporating retinol into your skin care routine, this is a great addition to your regimen. I love a good eye cream, but I don’t like anything too thick or oily on my eyes. If you’re a person who develops milia around your eyes, a lighter eye cream is the way to go and this one is perfect for that purpose. This cream includes retinol which slowly releases over the course of hours to help tackle any fine lines or wrinkles. It’s perfect for anti-aging and though you may not be worried about that yet, anti-aging products are also great to use for prevention. This helps brighten your under-eye area and also moisturizes simultaneously. Make sure to only use this at night due to the retinol.

  2. Glow Recipe Watermelon + AHA Glow Sleeping Mask
    I didn’t think I’d love this product as much as I do. Are you a huge fan of masks like me? Then you need to try this one out ASAP! First of all, this smells like a jolly rancher and you can delightfully reminisce of the simpler times while applying it. Secondly, it’s the perfect blend of acids that you should be applying to your skin – hyaluronic, glycolic and lactic acid. Hyaluronic acid moisturizes your skin and glycolic & lactic acids help renew your skin by removing any dead skin cells. This leaves your face feeling radiant, smooth and supple. The watermelon is great for reducing any redness on your skin too. I use this twice a week and it’s been a game changer!

    Also, an honorary mention for their Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser. It’s filled with anti-oxidants and amazing for acne-prone or oily skin!

  3. Glossier Super Pure Serum
    This is currently sold out on their website because that’s just how good it is. Believe the hype. This serum consists mainly of niacinamide and zinc. These two ingredients are essential for anyone fighting acne or blemishes. Niacinamide, another name for Vitamin B3, helps improve your skin’s clarity and texture. Zinc targets the sebum in your pores and controls oil production to keep the acne at bay. This is a great serum to help purify and balance your skin. I’ve been using it every time I feel a breakout coming on and it’s really helped eliminate the pesky zits I get from time to time. The reasonable price point makes you feel even better since you’ll want to make this a permanent part of your routine.


So, what do you think of this list, my beauties? Do you have any suggestions or recommendations for me? What have you been trying out for your skin lately? Leave a comment below and also feel free to message me on Instagram – @sassysherni. Looking forward to hearing from you!


xo,
S