niv's kitchen: Matar Paneer

SIMPLE MATAR PANEER RECIPE

Matar paneer is one of India’s most popular paneer dishes. It is a delicious vegetarian curry made of paneer cubes and fresh peas cooked in a rich and spicy gravy. In most Indian homes, it is made during winter when fresh peas are in season. However it can also be made with frozen peas anytime around the world.

Matar paneer is a great option for Indian main course meals and goes well with most Indian breads like roti, paratha, puri, naan and kulcha. It also goes well with rice, veg palao and jeera rice.

To make this simple style matar paneer at home follow the detailed step by step recipe posted below.

INGREDIENTS FOR MAKING MATAR PANEER:

1. Paneer- 200grams.

2. Matar-1/2 cup.

3. Chopped coriander leaves for garnishing.

4. Cumin seeds-1tsp

5. Green chilli-2

6. Oil- 3-4 tbsp

DRY MASALA:

1. Coriander powder-1 ½ tsp

2. Cumin powder-1tsp

3. Red chilli powder-1tsp

4. Garam masala- 1/2 tsp

5. Tumeric powder-1tsp

6. Kasoori methi-1tbsp

TO MAKE MASALA PASTE:

1. Tomato-1(big)

2. Onion-1(big)

3. Ginger-1inch piece.

4. Garlic-5-6

5. Green chilli-2.

6. Cloves- 2-3.

7. Cinnamon – ½ inch.

8. Green cardamom (illaichi) - 1-2.

9. Cashews (optional)

HOW TO PREPARE MATAR PANEER:

STEP-1- Chop the onions and tomatoes. Cut the paneer into small cubes. Clean the peas and keep aside.

STEP2- Heat 1tbsp oil in a pan and add clove, cinnamon and illaichi. Then add ginger and garlic in it and saute a while. Add chopped onions and tomatoes and cook till tomatoes become soft (You can also add cashews here). Keep it aside to cool.

STEP-3- Make a puree out of it after cooling completely by using a blender.

STEP-4- Heat 2tbsp oil in a kadhai and add cumin seeds in it. When cumin seeds splutter add 1tsp red chilli powder and immediately add the masala puree, we had made, and cook 4-5mins.

STEP-5- Add coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder and salt in it. Fry the masala well till the oil comes out.Add peas or matar.