Matar Paneer

A vegetarian dish from North India made from peas and cottage cheese in a tomato based gravy.

Served with steamed rice or Indian breads.

Preparation Time: 30-35 min

Servings: 4

  

Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups (300 gms)  Green Peas 
• 200 gms Paneer (Cottage Cheese)
• 3-4 Green Chillies (deseeded and chopped)
• 3 Medium-sized Tomatoes puree
• 2 Medium-sized Onions (chopped)
• 1 cup Milk or Fresh Cream
• 1 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tbsp Jeera (Cumin)
• 1 tbsp Coriander (Dhania) powder
• 1 tsp Turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp Red chilly powder
• 1 tsp Garam Masala
• 1 tsp Kasuri Methi (Dried Fenugreek leaves)
• Chopped Coriander leaves (for garnishing)
• Salt to taste

  Directions:

1. Fry Paneer cubes in Ghee till they turn very light brown
2. In a pan, heat oil or butter and add Jeera. After 30 seconds, add chopped onions and green chillies. Saute it till onion turns soft and then add ginger-garlic paste. Saute it till it turns light brown
3. Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, Garam Masala and red chilly powder and mix well for 2 min
4. Add tomato puree and salt and saute for 4-5 min
5. Add milk or cream and mix well. Saute for 2 min
6. Add peas and mix well. Cover the pan for 7-8 min till peas turn soft
7. Add Paneer and Kasturi Methi and mix well. Saute for 2 min
8. Serve hot garnished with coriander leaves

Tips : -

• Butter can be used instead of Ghee to fry paneer
• White butter tastes better 
• Fresh Cream can also be added to the gravy to make it more tasty :) ... and a bit unhealthy too :-/
• After step 5 above, taste the gravy. If the tangy flavor of tomato is dominant, add some cream and/or the paste of soaked poppy seeds (Khus Khus)
• Add a small cube of butter with the garnish to give a rich taste and wonderful aroma