
ahaaafood
Matter means peas in India. Peas are free of cholesterol and low in sodium and fats. It is an antioxidant and packed with minerals and vitamins. It helps to lose weight, good for heart and bones, prevents aging, cancer and constipation.
Mattar Paneer is a delicious North Indian vegetarian dish. It is a combination of Paneer/cottage cheese and fresh green peas in a mild spicy onion tomato based gravy. Cashew paste makes it rich and creamy.
This dish is easy to make and goes well with Indian bread or rice. To make the dish healthy whole masala and less butter/ ghee is added. Whole masala adds flavour and taste to the dish. Kasuri methi or dried fenugreek leaves are finally added to give good flavour to the dish. Home grown fresh juicy tomatoes are added, which makes the dish tangy and sweet.
INGREDIENTS
Fresh Peas 3/4 teacup
Paneer made from 1/2 L milk
Kasuri methi 2 tsp
Cinnamon 1″ stick
Cloves 3
Cardamom 2
Bayleaf 1
Butter/ghee/oil 1-2 tbsp
Salt to taste
FOR WET GRIND
Onion big 1
Tomatoes medium 3
Garlic 4-5
Green chilies 1-2
cashew nuts 1/2 teacup
Oil 2 tsp
METHOD
Soak the cashew nuts in water for half an hour. Blend it into a smooth paste.
To make cottage cheese/ Paneer you can follow this article step by step
Coat a non stick pan with a tsp of her/ghee/oil and shallow fry the Paneer/cottage cheese till the sides are golden brown. Keep it aside.
Heat a frying pan add a 2 tsp oil. Add onion, chillies and garlic, saute till onion changes colour. Add tomatoes and cook till they are soft. Cool it and blend in a blender. Keep the puree aside.
Heat a deep frying pan/kadhai add 1 tbsp butter/ghee , on low heat add cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and bay leaf.
Add the puree, cover and cook on low heat for 10- 12 minutes stirring occasionally.
After 10- 12 minutes the gravy will reduce.
Add the fresh peas, paneer, cashew paste and water as required (almost 2 teacups) and cook for 5 -7 minutes on low heat.
Finally add kasuri methi, mix well and turn off the heat.
Serve with Indian bread/ jeera rice.