Paneer Matar Recipes

MATAR PANEER, HOW TO MAKE MUTTER PANEER

Steps:

• If using store bought paneer, soak it in a bowl of hot water for 20 mins. Drain the water and use. This step helps to keep the paneer soft.
• Pour 1 tbsp oil to a hot pan. When the oil turns hot, add 1 to 2 green cardamoms (optional), ginger & garlic.
• Fry for a minute. Next add 1 cup chopped onions & saute until they turn light golden.
• Put in 1½ cup tomatoes and ¼ teaspoon salt.
• Saute for 2 to 3 mins. Add 12 cashews. Cook covered until soft & mushy.
• Cool this completely. Add to a grinder along with curd/ yogurt (optional) and make a smooth puree.
• Heat 2 tbsps oil in the same pan. Saute 1 inch cinnamon & 1 bay leaf for a minute.
• Lower the heat and add ¼ teaspoon turmeric, ¾ to 1 teaspoon chili powder, sugar (optional), ¾ to 1 teaspoon garam masala and ½ to ¾ teaspoon coriander powder. Mix well.
• Pour the pureed onion tomato mixture. If your puree is not smooth, then pass it through a filter/sieve.
• Saute until the masala comes together and turns thick. Keep stirring to prevent burning.
• Next add ¾ cup green peas. Pour 1 to 1 ¼ cups water. If using fresh peas, boil them until tender in a pot, drain and use. If using frozen peas then you can rinse and use.
• Mix well to make a thick gravy. Add more water if needed.
• Mix and cook covered on a medium heat until the gravy thickens and traces of oil appear over the gravy.
• Crush 1 teaspoon kasuri methi in your palm & sprinkle all over. Mix well.
• Check salt and add more if needed. Add 1 slit green chilli (optional) & 250 grams cubed paneer.
• Cover and cook just for 2 mins. Sprinkle coriander leaves and cream.
• Stir well. Serve matar paneer with jeera rice, naan or paratha.
• Make a fine paste of ginger garlic and keep aside. Bring 1 ½ cups water to a rolling boil and add the onions. Boil for 5 mins and remove them.
• To a blender jar, add chopped tomatoes, boiled onions, cashews, cardamoms and yogurt (optional). Blend them to make a very smooth puree without adding water.
• Press saute button on the instant pot and pour oil. Do not let the pot become too hot. Add bay leaf, cinnamon and ginger garlic (to a side into the oil). Saute for 30 seconds.
• Pour the onion tomato puree. Add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt, sugar, coriander powder and garam masala.
• Saute until the mixture turns slightly thicker and aromatic. Cover with an external lid to avoid splatters. This step takes about 5 minutes. Press cancel button.
• Pour 1 cup water and deglaze the pot well. Secure the Instant pot with the lid and position the steam release valve to sealing.
• Press pressure cook button (low) & set the timer to 5 mins. If you want to put your rice together, soak basmati rice for 30 mins and drain the water. Place the rice bowl over a trivet and pour hot water.
• When the IP is done, wait for 6 to 7 minutes & then release the rest of the pressure manually.
• Stir the gravy. Add green peas and cook for 2 minutes. (If you are using fresh peas, you will need to boil them separately and then add here.) To avoid splatters, cover the pot when you cook.
• Taste test and add more salt if needed. If the curry is runny, cook it on saute mode for a few minutes.
• Add kasuri methi, cream and paneer. Stir and Press cancel. Remove the steel insert carefully & cover the pot immediately. Let matar paneer rest for 10 minutes.

MATAR PANEER

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a frying pan over high heat until it's shimmering hot. Add the paneer, then turn the heat down a little. Fry until it starts to brown at the edges, then turn it over and brown on each side - the paneer will brown faster than you think, so don't walk away. Remove the paneer from the pan and drain on kitchen paper.
• Put the ginger, cumin, turmeric, ground coriander and chilli in the pan, and fry everything for 1 min. Add the tomatoes, mashing them with the back of a spoon and simmer everything for 5 mins until the sauce smells fragrant. Add a splash of water if it's too thick. Season well. Add the peas and simmer for a further 2 mins, then stir in the paneer and sprinkle over the garam masala. Divide between two bowls, top with coriander leaves and serve with naan bread, roti or rice.

MATAR PANEER

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan on medium heat. Once hot add cumin seeds and let them sizzle a bit.
• Then onion, ginger, garlic and green chili. Sprinkle a little salt to speed up the cooking process.
• Cook until onions become soft and light pink in color.
• Then add tomatoes and cook until they are softened. Let the mixture cool down slightly.
• Transfer it to the blender jar and make a smooth puree.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in the same pan. Once hot add prepared puree and let it simmer. If it is spluttering too much then you can partially cover the pan with a lid and continue cooking.
• Do stir every few minutes to make sure that it is not sticking to the bottom and sides of the pan. Cook until it becomes thick and most of the water is evaporated.
• Now add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder and remaining salt. Mix well and saute for a minute.
• Add water and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
• While the gravy is simmering, take green peas in a bowl with a couple of tablespoons of water and a sprinkle of salt. Microwave it for about 4 minutes.
• Now add the paneer and cooked peas. Mix and simmer for 2 minutes.
• Add garam masala and crushed kasoori methi. Mix well.
• Add heavy cream and mix. Let it come to a simmer and turn off the stove.

MATAR PANEER

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil; add peas and cook for 10 minutes. Drain.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat; add tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic, coriander, cumin, and turmeric. Cook and stir mixture until heated through and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add curd to tomato mixture and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes; stir in red chile powder.
• Mix chile powder into tomato mixture. Add peas, paneer, and salt; cover the skillet and simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes. Garnish matar paneer with cilantro leaves.