What do I do when I run out of veggies & absolutely don’t want to step out of my home?! But wish to serve a delicious and nutritious meal….😬 I go the easy way…!!
I always…always make it a point to have a slab of cottage cheese/ paneer and some frozen peas handy in my refrigerator! It never fails me. Week nights can often turn hectic and I, by no means wish to spend hours in the kitchen….that’s where my stashed goodies come into play😉
As every other Indian, the hubby and I, too love are Mattar Paneer! We have it with rotis or rice! Nothing could taste better…some earthy, whole spices with a smooth, luscious gravy studded with golden nuggets of paneer and juicy green pea-pearls! Ya! Restaurant style description 😛 If you are a big fan of paneer like we are, then do have a look my Dhaba style Palak Paneer & Reshmi Paneer 💗
This recipe is fast, easy & absolutely lip-smacking 👌 I took barely 45 mins to get this on the table with soft rotis & a salad…such a basic meal with amazing flavours!!
Yield: serves 2
Equipment: a non pan pan / wok, a spatula, measuring cups/ spoons, a blender.
Ingredients:
200 gms fresh paneer cut into cubes
150 gms green peas (thaw them if using frozen)
2 nos. medium onions sliced
2 nos. medium tomatoes cubed
7-8 nos. garlic cloves
2″ pc ginger
1 nos. green chilly
1 nos. black cardamom (Badi elaichi)
2″ pc cinnamon stick (dalchini)
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp cumin pwd (jeera)
1 tbsp coriander pwd (dhaniya)
1/4 tsp turmeric pwd
1/2 tbsp red chilly pwd
1/2 tsp Garam Masala
Salt to taste
2 tsp oil for the gravy
1 tsp oil to sauté the paneer cubes
some coriander leaves to garnish
Method:
Heat the wok/ pan with 1 tsp of oil, once it’s hot, add the paneer cubes & sauté them well on both sides until they turn golden brown. Once that’s done, remove them from the oil & set aside. Blanch the green peas in some hot water for 6-8 mins. Drain & set that aside too.
In a blender, grind together onion, garlic, ginger & green chilly. Set them aside. Also grind the tomatoes separately & set it aside.
In the same pan/ wok, add 2 tsp oil and heat it well. Add cumin seeds, black cardamom & cinnamon stick. Sauté for a minute. Next add the onion, ginger, garlic & green chilly paste. Cook on medium flame until the oil separates from the masala & it turns rich golden in colour (about 5-6 mins approx). Season with salt. Add the dry spices now, turmeric pwd, red chilly pwd, cumin pwd & coriander pwd. Cook for 10 mins until the oil floats on top of the masala. Next goes in the tomato purée & blanched green peas, mix and cook until the oil floats on top (approx 7-8 mins). Lastly add the Garam masala pwd & the sautéed paneer cubes, cover the pan with a lid and cook for 5-7 mins. Once done, garnish with some coriander leaves & serve piping hot 😊
Hope you will try it soon…trust me it’s a keeper ☺️
Love,
Shreya 💖
