After a long tiring week and an eventful chore-full Saturday, me and hubby dear just love to chill out at the cozy comforts of our home. Most of the time, we like to cook together, just to get that little extra “us” time. We’ve cooked together tons of times, with me ordering him on what and how to chop, and the poor thing crying over his onions!
Yesterday was one such lovely day. After four crazy hours of christmas shopping, we went home and decided to make our most favourite meal. An hour later, we were comfortably settled in front of the TV, watching a funny movie and relishing a wonderfully fabulous team-work dinner!
Matar Paneer (Cottage Cheese with Green Peas)
Ingredients:
- 400 gms of Paneer (cottage cheese), cut into 1-inch cubes and fried till lightly brown on all sides
- 2 cups onions, finely chopped
- 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup frozen green peas
- 2-3 green chillies, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 1 tbsp cumin seeds
- salt, to taste
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 2 cups of water
- 1/4 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped for garnish
Method:
- Add cumin seeds to warm oil and let it begin to sizzle. Add in onions and fry till they turn slightly brown.
- Add green chillies and tomatoes and cook till all the juices dry up and it forms a thick consistency.
- Add ginger-garlic paste, tomato paste, red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric and salt and cook till fragrant and all spices blend in nicely.
- Add water and let it come to a boil. Throw in paneer pieces and peas, and cover cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Sprinkle garam masala and garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
Serve warm with rotis or naan.
December 19th, 2005
Hi Meena,
I love your enthusiasm for food… which absolutely shows in your posts. Thanks for all the homely recipes like this one on Matar Paneer!
December 20th, 2005
This authentic peas & paneer dish looks very appetising! am wondering, if paneer needs to be deep fried before putting in the gravy to get that glazed look.
December 20th, 2005
GM: Your most welcome, GM. Thanks for dropping by! :o)
Lera: Hi Lera! I didn’t deep fry them, instead, just browned them in a little oil.
December 20th, 2005
That picture of matar paneer reflects true team work.Cooking with hubby can be fun and at times not so fun…but then there is a certain ’sweetness’of love & togetherness in the dish cooked..:):)
December 20th, 2005
Sailu: Ha ha ha! I totally agree Sailu! I totally do! :o)
January 26th, 2007
Hi Meena, I made this last night and it was excellent. Definitely a keeper. The recipe didn’t say how many tbsp of cumin seeds, so I guessed, and used one
Even if that wasn’t right, it tasted great. Thanks! I ♥ paneer.
Thanks Stefanie, Paneer is one of my favourites as well, and I can’t tell you how many time I cook it in a week! :)
April 21st, 2007
Thanks for this recipe, I tried it yesterday and it turned out perfectly!
March 20th, 2008
Hi Meena,
I’m a regular reader, but this is the first time I’ve commented. I love matar paneer, but I’ve never made it at home. I think I’ll try it! But I’m perplexed by this line in the ingredients list: “2 cups of water es, chopped for garnish.” What is this?
October 8th, 2008
Just wanted to say that I made this last night, and wow!!! I can’t believe how fast it was…..everyone thought I made it out of a can. Thanks for posting this recipe. Your recipes are great and fast and easy to learn.
January 24th, 2009
I’ve made this 5 or 6 times and every time it brings me back to India. Great recipe!