Matar Paneer

First of all, let me tell you that this is not an authentic matar paneer recipe, but it tastes good. I have been searching for an authentic recipe for a few months now. Tried many recipes from the net, but was not happy with any of them. Finally, I decided to create a new recipe taking the best out of all the recipes I had. If you have an authentic recipe, please do send it to me. Would like to experiment more with paneer. Nowadays my Nikki has also become very fond of Paneer, so I feel I should make it more often. Till now I've been using store bought paneer, which is quite expensive in UK. I am planning to make it at home soon..Will keep you posted on that.

Here goes the recipe...

Ingredients:

Green Peas/Matar - 1 cup
Paneer cubes - 200 gms
Onion - 2 chopped
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Cardamom - 1 or 2
Cloves - 2
Cinnamon - a small piece
Black Pepper corns - 10
Ginger garlic paste - 1 to 2 tsp
Tomato - 1 large chopped
Chilly powder - 1/2 tsp or more
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Garam masala powder – 1 tsp or more (check cooking tips for recipe
Fresh cream - 1-2 tbsp
Coriander leaves chopped - to garnish
Oil
Salt


Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds, cardamom,cloves,cinnamon and pepper corns. Saute for few seconds.
2. Add onions and saute till soft.
3. Add ginger garlic paste and saute for a minute.
4. Add tomatoes, salt, turmeric, chilly and garam masala powders and saute till tomatoes are soft and oil starts appearing.
5. Switch off the stove and let it cool. Grind to a smooth paste without adding water.
6. Heat a little oil in a pan and saute this masala paste for a few minutes.Add 3/4 cups of water and bring it to boil.
7. Add the green peas, cover and cook till green peas is almost done.
8. Now add the paneer cubes and combine well. Cook for a few more minutes.
9. Add fresh cream and combine well. Garnish with coriander leaves.

You may add a blob of butter on top, which makes it more delicious. Serve with roti/naan/paratha.

Linking this to Life is Green Event