Paneer Mutter Masala - Matar Paneer - Paneer Peas Masala

I like almost all paneer recipes and the gravies made with paneer. They are rich and tasty to accompany with any Indian breads. This is a popular North-Indian dish with paneer and peas (Mutter).  Here green peas and paneer are cooked together in rich and delicious gravy.
I book marked it long back from here and have tried quite few times.  We had it with Roti's.

Paneer Mutter Masala Recipe - Ingredients:

Cooking time: 20 mins | Recipe Cuisine: North-Indian | Recipe Category: Side dish | Serves: 4

Paneer - 1 cup

Peas (fresh or frozen)  - 3/4 cup

Tomatoes - 2 nos

Curd or cream  -  1/4 cup

Green chilies - 3 nos

Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp

Garam masala - 1/2 tsp

Coriander leaves - few sprigs to garnish

Lemon juice - 1 tsp

Oil/ Ghee - 2 tbsp

Salt to taste

To roast and grind:

Onion  - 2 nos

Cinnamon - 1 inch

Cardamon  - 1

Cloves -  1

Bay leaves - 1/2  leaf

Jeera - 1 tsp

Chili powder  - 1/2 tsp

Dhaniya powder  - 1 tsp

Turmeric  - 1/4 tsp

Oil - 1 tsp 

Method:

1. Heat oil in a pan and add all the whole spices( bay, cinnamon,cloves,cardamon and jeera). Once the jeera splutter add the onions and saute till golden brown.

Throw in the chili,coriander and turmeric powder and saute for a min. Take care not to burn it. Cool it and grind to a smooth paste with little water.

 

2. Boil the peas in hot water for 2 mins and drain it.

 

3. Shallow fry the paneer cubes and again keep it  immersed in warm water until use. This will help the paneer to stay soft. You can also skip shallow frying and just immerse the paneer in hot water until use.

4. Again heat oil/ghee in a kadai and saute the green chilies and ginger garlic paste.  Add the grounded paste and fry a min or two.

 

5. Add the tomatoes and salt. Fry it in medium flame till  oil oozes out (4-5 mins).

 

6. Add cooked peas and beaten curd / cream (i used cream)  and mix well.  Add paneer along with 1/2 cup water and garam masala powder and mix well.

 

7. Boil it for 5-6 mins until it thickens up. Finally garnish with chopped coriander leaves and lemon juice. 

 Note:

• Adding lemon juice will balance all the spices and taste's ,so don't skip it.
• Wait till the tomatoes are completely fried and then proceed adding peas.