How to make Punjabi Matar Paneer Masala?

A delicious North Indian paneer recipe cooked in spicy onion tomato masala gravy with fresh green peas. This is simple and easy homemade paneer recipe goes well with plain rice, chapattis or parathas. Being a vegetarian, we used to make paneer recipes frequently at home and my son love it. There are many variations to this dish, you can shallow fry the paneer cubes for different taste and cashew nut paste for rich and creamy texture. You can try other paneer recipes like Kadai Paneer or Paneer Kofta curry.

Prep Time- 10 minutes

Cook Time- 20 minutes

Servings- 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Paneer cubed (500 gms)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen green peas
• 1 large size onion paste
• 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
• 2 tomatoes, pureed
• 2-3 cloves
• 1-2 green cardamom
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 /2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 dry chili/green chili
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• A pinch Asafoetida (Hing)
• 1 teaspoon Garam masala
• 1/2 cup whisked yougurt
• 4-5 cashew nut paste
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoon olive oil for cooking

Method to make Punjabi Matar Paneer Masala

Step 1: Heat oil in a kadai and add cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon stick, green cardamom, bay leaf, dry red chili and asafoetida. When they splutter, add onion paste, ginger paste and saute till they turn golden brown.

Step 2: Add tomato puree, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, salt and mix well. Cook the masalas well and then put whisked yogurt in it. Stir fry till it starts separating oil from the edges.

Step 3: Now, add cashew nut paste and mix well. Put paneer (cottage cheese) cubes in the onion tomato gravy and mix well.

Step 4: Add green peas and garam masala over it. Pour 2 cups of water and sprinkle kasuri methi. Bring it to a boil and simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Step 5: Garnish it with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.