Matar Paneer is a popular vegetarian recipe made with green peas and Indian cottage cheese and a rich tomato based sauce. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mattar_paneer
Paneer has a mild flavour and because it does not melt easily is commonly used in many Indian dishes. It is made from full fat buffalo or cow’s milk. You can easily make paneer at home by adding a little lemon juice to boiling milk. As the milk curdles, the whey water is separated with a sieve. The cheese is then tightly bound in a muslin cloth and drained of water completely. Paneer is also commonly available in Indian grocery chains. It is a favourite with vegetarians as it is a rich source of protein and calcium. Although, moderation is the key to consume this dish as it is also rich in calories.
The other day while making mattar paneer, I realized half way through that there were no peas in the freezer. So instead of peas, I decided on adding green soybeans (edamame). The dish turned out to be a hit in my family. Like I said, search for ingredients you have at home and tweak recipes to your likings.
Matar Paneer is often served with Indian breads such as Parathas https://relishdelish.ca/recipes/plain-paratha/ or rice dishes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut paneer into small cubes and fry them until edges turn golden brown in a little ghee (1 tsp.) and keep aside.
- Heat oil in a separate pan, add a tsp. of cumin seeds. As the seeds crackle, add finely chopped onion and fry about 5 minutes until onions turn golden brown.
- Meanwhile, in a mixer jar, add 1 cup water to blanched almonds, tomatoes and ginger and blend this into a fine paste.
- Add salt, turmeric and chilli powder to the onion mix and add in the tomato paste. Close the pan and let the gravy cook for 10 minutes, adding in a couple of tbsp. of water if necessary. Matar paneer gravy should thick and not runny.
- Now add in the fried paneer pieces and simmer for about 4 to 5 minutes. Finally add in the frozen green peas and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. (Note- if using fresh green peas then add the peas along with the fried paneer as it will take a little longer to cook). Serve matar paneer with Indian flat bread or rice.