Matar Paneer Curry

I hope all of us agree to the well said quote “The way to a man's heart is through his stomach”.

“This is an exotic restaurant style matar-paneer”, exactly what the hubby says each time after having this. You may also win your loved one’s heart by following this post at the comfort of your own kitchen.

There are a few combinations like aloo-matar, aloo-gobi, palak-paneer and so on, which are obviously made in heaven. One among them is matar-paneer. Here is a simple and quick recipe, which tastes like the one in restaurant, but a low fat version.

Ingredients

100 gms paneer, cubed into ½ “pieces

1 cup green peas
1 medium onion
1 large tomato
4 cashew nuts
1 tsp coriander powder
½ tsp cumin powder
½ tsp red chili powder
¼ tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp kitchen king masala / ½ tsp garam masala
¼ tsp crushed kasoori methi
1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
2 tsp oil
1 tsp ghee / clarified butter

Method

• Heat 1 tsp oil in a non stick pan. Add cashew nuts, sliced onion and sauté until transparent
• Now add chopped tomato mix well and cook covered until they are done. Set aside and let it come to room temperature
• In the mean time blanch the green peas
• Blend the cooled mixture into a smooth paste and set aside
• Heat the remaining oil and ghee in the same pan, add ginger-garlic paste, and sauté until the raw flavor is gone
• Now tip in the onion paste, and mix well. Cook until the mixture comes together and leaves oil from sides
• Time to add all the dry powders and combine everything well. Pour in 1 cup water and mix well until it forms a homogeneous mixture (adjust the consistency with more or little water). Let it come to a boil
• Now add green peas, paneer, combine well and let it simmer with a lid on it for 3-4 minutes
• Check the seasoning now.
• Finally sprinkle some crushed kasuri methi, mix well and switch off the flame
• Let it sit covered for few minutes before serving

Note: Kitchen king masala powder gives a nice aroma to the dish. If you don’t find it, you may use the regular garam masala as well.