Matar Paneer Recipe: A Delicious and Creamy Indian Dish with Peas and Paneer

Matar Paneer is a popular North Indian dish made with green peas and paneer (Indian cottage cheese). It is a rich and creamy dish that is perfect for special occasions or when you want to treat yourself to something delicious. In this recipe, I will show you how to make the perfect Matar Paneer with a creamy and flavorful sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup green peas, fresh or frozen
• 250g paneer, cut into small cubes
• 2 medium-sized onions, chopped
• 3 medium-sized tomatoes, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 inch piece of ginger, minced
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and let them crackle for a few seconds.
2. Add the chopped onions to the pan and fry until they are soft and translucent.
3. Add the minced garlic and ginger to the pan and fry for a minute until fragrant.
4. Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and cook until they are soft and mushy.
5. Add the green peas to the pan and stir to combine. Cover the pan and let the green peas cook for 5-7 minutes until they are soft.
6. In a separate bowl, mix together the coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and garam masala powder.
7. Add the spice mixture to the pan and stir to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the spices are fragrant and the oil begins to separate from the mixture.
8. Add 1/2 cup of water to the pan and stir to create a sauce. Let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes until it thickens slightly.
9. Add the cubed paneer to the pan and gently stir to combine. Cook for a minute or two until the paneer is heated through.
10. Stir in the heavy cream and let the dish simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is creamy and flavorful.
11. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning as needed.
12. Serve the Matar Paneer hot with rice or roti. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.

Enjoy your delicious and creamy Matar Paneer!

Notes:

• If you like your Matar Paneer with a thicker sauce, you can add some crushed tomatoes or tomato paste to the dish.
• For a richer flavor, you can use whole milk or half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, you can add more green chilies or increase the amount of red chili powder.
• You can also add other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the dish for added flavor and texture.
• Paneer is a type of cheese that is often used in Indian cooking. If you can’t find paneer at your local store, you can use firm tofu as a substitute.
• To make this dish vegan, you can use firm tofu instead of paneer and use a non-dairy cream or coconut milk instead of heavy cream.