Matar Paneer / Paneer recipe

 Matar paneer is quite often made at home. It is usually served with naan, roti, chapati and paratha but goes very well with rice and pulao also. This recipe is very simple and I have used very easy steps to make it. Everyone likes my matar paneer …sometimes they think I bought it from the restaurant.

Servings 3-4

   Ingredients

250 grams Paneer/ Indian cottage cheese( cut in to small cubes )

1 cup peas (Fresh or frozen Peas)

2 tomatoes pureed

1 medium onion

1 garlic clove

1 inch ginger.

½ tsp Red chili powder

1/2tsp garam masala powder

1 tsp coriander powder

¼ tsp turmeric powder

1 inch Cinnamon

4 Elachi/cardamom

2 cloves

2 tbsp Oil

Salt as needed

2 tbsp cream

1 tbsp milk

            

Procedure

If you have store bought tomato puree its good, but I didn’t have, Put tomatoes in boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Drain the water and allow it to cool. Remove the skin and puree it.

Microwave the peas for 2-3 minutes in high in a microwave safe bowl. Stir in between for even cooking. Set aside.

Make a smooth paste of onion, garlic, ginger  together  and keep it a side 

Heat 1 tsp of ghee/butter/oil and shallow fry paneer cubes till they turn golden brown. Take them and put on a clean paper towel.

Now add remaining oil in the pan, add all whole spices (green cardamom, cloves, cinnamon) once all spices starts popping add onion, ginger, garlic paste and fry it for few minutes.

 Then add chili powder, turmeric powder, and coriander powder, salt.

Saute for a few minutes. When the raw smells goes away, then add tomato puree and fry till   oil oozes out (4-5 minutes) in medium flame.

 Now add cooked peas. Let the peas get mixed well with the masala.     Give a nice stir and cook it for 2-3 minutes. Then add 1 tbsp milk and mix it very well. 

Then add 1 cup of water and cook for some more time until everything gets blended well. You can adjust the consistency of the gravy according to your preferences. Check for salt.  Add the garam masala powder and fresh cream.  Mix well. Switch of the gas.

Enjoy this most popular Indian dish with any roti  or rice or pulao.

 I am going to serve it with saffron pulao . Enjoy