PANEER MATTER

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Matar Paneer or mutter paneer curry is onion-tomato based punjabi gravy with green peas and cottage cheese

Author: aloke kumar

Category: Main course, curry

Cuisine: Punjabi, North Indian

Yield: 2 Servings

INGREDIENTS

• Green Peas - 1 cup, boiled
• Paneer - 200 grams (7 oz), cut into cubes

For paste:

• Oil - 2 teaspoons
• Cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon
• Onion - 1 medium or 1 cup, roughly chopped
• Ginger - ½ inch piece, chopped
• Garlic cloves - 2, chopped
• Green chilies - 2 small, chopped
• Tomato - 2 small or 1 cup, roughly chopped

For gravy:

• Oil - 1 tablespoon
• Turmeric powder - ¼ teaspoon
• Red chili powder - 1 teaspoon
• Coriander powder - 1 teaspoon
• Garam masala - ½ teaspoon
• Salt - to taste
• Water - 1 cup
• Cilantro - few sprigs, chopped finely

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat the 2 teaspoons of oil in a pan on medium heat. Once hot add cumin seeds and let them sizzle.
2. Saute ginger, garlic and green chili for a minute.
3. Add onion and sprinkle some salt. Cook till they becomes soft and translucent.
4. Mix in tomatoes. Cook till they becomes little soft. Let it cool a bit.
5. Meanwhile boil the green peas in microwave or pressure cooker. How I did: in microwave safe bowl, add peas, salt and 2 tablespoons of water. cover it and cook for 2-3 minutes or depends on your microwave.
6. Now onion-tomato is cooled. Grind into smooth puree.
7. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in the same pan. Once hot add prepared paste and saute.
8. Cook till all the moisture evaporates. If it is spluttering too much then partially cover the pan. Do stir in between. it starts to leave the sides of the pan and oil will ooze out.
9. Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chili powder and garam masala.
10. Mix well and saute for a minute.
11. Add a cup of water or more or less as per your liking gravy consistency.
12. Stir and let it come to a boil and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
13. Add boiled peas and cubed paneer.
14. Mix well and simmer for 3-4 minutes so peas and paneer absorbs the flavors.
15. Finally sprinkle chopped cilantro.
16. Stir gently and Serve.

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