Mattar Paneer

Mattar paneer is an Indian dish consisting of paneer in a slightly sweet and spicy sauce. Some people also add potato to it. It is usually served with an Indian type of bread like naan, paratha, roti. Some people prefer it to take with rice preparations. he base is prepared with cumin seeds, garam masala, vine ripened tomatoes and the green peas and paneer cheese cubes are added for stir frying on high heat.

Preparation and cooking time: 30 mins

Ingredients

Paneer (Cottage Cheese): 1/4 kg

Green Peas: Small cup (I’ve used frozen peas)

Cumin Seeds: 1 teaspoon

Cashew nuts: 12 (optional)

Onion: 1 large; finely chopped

Ginger-Garlic Paste: 1 teaspoon

Green Chilli: 3; roughly chopped

Tomatoes: 2; finely chopped

Chilli Powder: 3/4 teaspoon (optional)

Turmeric powder: 1 big pinch

Coriander Powder: 1.5 teaspoons

Kasur Methi (Dry Fenugreek Leaves): ½ teaspoon

Garam Masala Powder: 1 big pinch

Malai (Top of Milk): 1 teaspoon (optional)

Salt: as per your taste

Cream or chopped Coriander Leaves: 1 tablespoon

Oil: 1-2 tablespoons

1. Heat oil in a cooking vessel; add the onions, cashew nuts, cumin seeds and saute till onions are transparent.

2. Add ginger – garlic paste, chopped green chilli, coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chilli powder and saute for a minute. You can add few tablespoons of water to prevent the powders from burning.

3. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes on medium flame. Turn off heat, cool and grind to a coarse paste.

4. Return this paste to the vessel, add a cup of water and bring to a boil. Reduce flame, add the green peas and cook till peas are 3/4^th cooked.

5. Add the paneer, salt and cook on flame till peas and paneer are cooked.

6. Add Malai, kasur methi, garam masala powder and mix well. Turn off flame and leave on stove for 5 minutes.

7. Garnish with cream or chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot with rotis or naan.