Matar Paneer (Cottage cheese and green peas in onion-tomato gravy)

“Matar Paneer” is a north indian gravy recipe which is made with cottage cheese simmered in tomato onion gravy along with green peas. This is one easy to make paneer recipe and is made on a regular basis in punjabi households in North India. This is another recipe from my mom’s kitchen and hopefully you also like it, as much as I do.

Serves: 3-4

Preparation time: 10 mins.

Cooking time: 35-40 mins.

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups or 250 gms. Paneer / cottage cheese (cut into cubes)

1 cup green peas

1 cup onion (finely chopped)

3-4 medium sized tomatoes (pureed)

3 tablespoons ghee / clarified butter or oil

1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste

1 green chilli (finely chopped)

1 teaspoon garam masala

¼ teaspoon red chilli powder

¼ teaspoon turmeric powder

¼ teaspoon coriander powder

2 tablespoon fresh coriander leaves

Salt to taste

Directions:

1. In a pan, heat 2 tablespoons of ghee, add in cumin seeds, ginger garlic paste and green chilli. Cook for 2 minutes on a low flame.
2. Add in chopped onions and saute until golden brown.
3. Now, add in pureed tomatoes and fry until mushy and tomatoes start releasing oil.
4. Add in red chili powder, turmeric powder,salt, coriander powder and garam masala powder. Mix well.
5. Add in green peas to the gravy and let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
6. On a low flame, add in ¾ cup water and salt. Cook for 3-4 minutes or till the gravy comes to boil and then simmer for 8-10 minutes.
7. Now add paneer pieces to the gravy and cook for another 2 minutes.
8. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
9. Matar paneer is ready to be served with naan, paratha, roti or even steamed rice.