MATTAR PANEER

MY MATTAR PANEER : Cheese is one of the best food in this world. And Indian cottage cheese is definitely very yummy! The best thing is that you cook in the delicious masala and yet when just the paneer cube moves around in your mouth....mmmm....heavenly!!!! I LOVE PANEER!!!!!!!

It goes well with hot chapattis or nan (butter nan...perfect!)

Even though I love paneer so much, I have never been great cooking it. Even yesterday when I started cooking it...I didn't think it would turn out great...yippee!!!!!!! I did it!!! I thought of cooking in so many different ways yesterday and ultimately my first attempt at Mattar Paneer was successful. So posting the recipe for you...

INGREDIENTS:

Paneer – 250 gms

Green peas – 1 cup

Red Onion – 2

Tomato - 1

Garlic cloves – 2

Ginger – 1” piece

Fennel seeds – ½ tablespoon

Chilli Powder – 2 tablespoon

Coriander powder – 1 table spoon

Turmeric powder - about ¼ tablespoon

Garam Masala – 1 tablespoon

Water

Oil – 2 to 3 tablespoon

Salt

Coriander leaves for garnishing

METHOD:

Take the paneer out of your freezer around 30 minutes before and put it in a bowl of normal water to defrost it.

I have used dry green peas. So I had soaked it for around 4 hours. Pressure cook with a bit of salt and water. If not, you may use fresh green peas or frozen peas.

In the mean time, slice the onions and coriander leaves. Dice the tomatoes.

In a pan heat the oil and fry the paneer till golden brown. This is done so that the paneer cubes would not crumble while mixing or cooking. Put aside the fried cubes.

To the same oil, add the fennel seeds. As soon as they turn brown add the onions. Sweat the onions. Add the ginger garlic paste. Sauté till the onions turn light brown. Add the diced tomatoes and cook well.

 Add the turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder and garam masala powder and sauté till raw smell goes. Add the cooked green peas and enough water. Check the spice and salt and adjust.

Boil the mixture or cook for about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the paneer cube and cook for another 2 minutes.  Turn the stove off and garnish with coriander leaves.

All the best with your paneer!!!!

NB: When frying the paneer cubes, be careful as it is wet and you are putting it in hot oil. So be careful not to burn yourself. Make sure the flame is on the lowest. Make sure there are no kids around the stove.