Matar Paneer

Matar paneer is a beautiful combination of peas and cottage cheese, cooked in creamy gravy along with other spices.
It can be eaten with rice or roti or naan.


Ingredients:

• Paneer - 1 cup
• Peas - 1 cup
• Onion - 1 small
• Tomato - 1 medium
• Cream - 1/2 cup
• Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 tsp
• Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
• Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp
• Coriander Powder - 1/2 tsp
• Red Chili Powder - to taste
• Bay Leaf - 1
• Cinnamon Stick - 1 inch
• Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Oil - 2 tbsp
• Salt -to taste
• Water - as needed
• Cilantro - for garnishing

Directions :

• Cut the paneer into 1 inch cubes.
• Heat very little oil or ghee in a small pan, and shallow fry the paneer cubes till brown on both the sides. Remove and keep aside.
• Heat oil in a bigger pan, sizzle cumin seeds, bay leaf and cinnamon stick.
• Add finely chopped onions and ginger garlic paste. Saute till onions turn golden brown.
• Add diced tomatoes and around 1/4 cup of water and cook till tomatoes turn into pulpy sauce. You can also use tomato puree instead.
• Add coriander powder, garam masala, turmeric powder, red chili powder and mix well.
• Add another 1/2 a cup of water and peas . you can use either fresh peas or frozen peas.
• Cook covered till the peas are tender and cooked. Add salt.
• Add the paneer cubes and cream to the curry and stir lightly. Cook till the curry reaches the consistency you like. I like it to be watery. If you like it dry , use less water and cook till all the water dries up.
• Garnish with chopped cilantro.
• Eat with any rice preparation like jeera rice or roti or naan.