Matar paneer is one of the popular North Indian dish. It is a creamy delicious and rich peas paneer curry which is cooked in a tomato and onion based sauce with other spices. The combination of soft paneer and sweet green peas make this dish one of its kind. No special North Indian veg meal is complete without this dish.
Ingredients
For the gravy
1. Onions chopped – 2
2. Cashew nuts – 8-10
3. Crushed Ginger garlic – 1 Tbsp
4. Tomatoes chopped – 5
5. Oil- 2 Tbsp
6. Salt
For the masala
1. Onion chopped – 1
2. Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
3. Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
4. Fennel seeds – ½ tsp
5. Cumin powder – ½ tsp
6. Kasuri methi – 1 tsp
7. Coriander powder – 1 tsp
8. Kashmiri red chilli powder – 1 tsp
9. Ghee or oil – 2 Tbsp
10. Salt
11. Coriander leaves – ¼ cup
12. Tomato ketchup – 1 Tbsp
13. Fresh cream – ¼ cup
14. Boiled peas (matar) – 1 cup
15. Paneer (cottage cheese) – 250 gm
16. Garam masala – ¼ tsp
17. Ginger juliennes – 1 Tbsp
18. Green chilli chopped – 2
Preparation
1. For the gravy- Heat oil in a pan. Lower flame and add cashew nuts. Stir fry for a minute. Add the chopped onions and salt. Sauté till the onions are golden brown.
2. Add ginger garlic paste. Stir fry for few seconds and add the tomatoes. Mix well and cook till the tomatoes are soft and the mixture stars leaving the sides of the pan. Remove from flame. Cool and grind to a paste and keep aside.
3. Heat ghee or oil in another pan. Crackle the cumin seeds and add the chopped onion. Sauté for 2 minutes on medium flame.
4. Lower the flame and add the red chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, kasuri methi, fennel seed powder, turmeric powder and salt. Roast for 2-3 minutes and add the coriander leaves. Cook them for a minute and add the ground paste.
5. Mix well and add tomato ketchup and fresh cream. Mix well and add the ginger juliennes, boiled peas and one cup of hot water.
6. Let it boil and add the paneer cubes. Mix well. Cook for two minutes.
7. Add the garam masala and remove from flame. Serve hot garnished with coriander leaves and fresh cream.
Tips
1. Soak the paneer cubes in enough hot water for 30 minutes for softer paneer cubes.
2. Paneer cubes can also be fried and used.
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