Paneer with Peas (Matar Paneer)
Matar Paneer is popular North Indian dish made of of Indian cottage cheese paneer and peas cooked in a spicy, tomato based sauce. It pairs well with Indian flat breads like Naan or roti or chapati and even rice.
Ingredients:
Serves 2-4
- 8 oz / 250g paneer cheese, cut into cubes (about 1inch/2.5cm)
- 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
- 2 medium onions, finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, pured
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp coirander powder
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ¼ garam masala
- 1 green chilli
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- pinch dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi), (optional)
- 3 tbsp oil 2-3 tbsp cream or half and half (optional)
- 1-2 cups water
- to garnish: 1 tbsp coriander leaves (chopped)
How to make Paneer with Peas (Matar Paneer):
- Heat oil in a pan. When it's hot, add cumin seeds. Once the cumin seeds start to splutter, add chopped green chili, onions, ginger paste and garlic. Cook for 4-5 minutes on medium heat until the onions turn light brown.
- Wash tomatoes, puree it in a blender, and then add it to the pan with fried onions.
- Add chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala, salt and turmeric powder. Stir it and cook for 5-7 minutes on medium heat.
- Add 1 cup water. Bring to a boil. Then, add peas and cook for a minute.
- Finally, add the paneer cubes, stir gently and cook on low-medium heat for 2 - 3 minutes.
- Add cream, kasuri methi (optional), adjust salt and cook for 1 minute.
- Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with any rice dish or Indian Breads.
Tip:
- Put paneer cubes (especially store bought) into warm/hot water for about 10 minutes before adding it to any gravy. This will make paneer softer and less rubbery.
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