Paneer mutter masala

Paneer or Indian cottage cheese is one of the most favorite item for vegetarians in India. Paneer Mutter masala is an authentic Punjabi dish. It can be served with Riceor Indian flat Breads. It is a rich, medium spicy gravy.
Preparation time- 30 mins

Ingredients

Paneer- 250 gms
Green Peas- 1 cup frozen
Onion- 2 medium size
Tomato- 3 medium size
Green Chilly- 1 no
Ginger- 1/2 inch
Garlic- 5 nos
Oil- 4 tbsp
Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
Red Chilly powder- 1/2 tbsp
Coriander powder- 1 tbsp
Garam masala- 1 tsp
Kasuri methi*- A fat pinch
Fresh cream*- 1/2 Cup
Coriander leaves*- 2 strands finely chopped
Water- 2 Cups
Salt to taste


Method
Grind onions, tomatoes, garlic, green chilly and ginger into a fine paste. Keep aside.
Add Oil in a pan. I used Sunflower oil. You can use any refined oil suitable for frying.
Fry paneer cubes until they become golden brown in color. Remove them from oil and spread on a kitchen tissue to remove excess oil.
Add the paste into the remaining oil and stir. Keep the flame medium. This may take 8-10 mins.
This is a patience testing process. Keep stirring until oil starts appearing from the paste. This process brings taste to your recipe. So no skipping. You can prepare this paste earlier and keep in refrigerator and use it at the time of cooking for ease.
 Add all the masala powders and saute til raw smell is lost.
Add 2 cups of water and salt into this. When the water starts boiling, add green peas, close the vessel and reduce the flame.
Wait for about 7-10 mins. When the green peas are cooked, add a fat pinch of Kasuri methi ,coriander leaves and Fried Paneer.

Stir for 2 mins and remove from flame. For a richer and milder gravy add 1/2 cup of fresh cream & serve it hot.

PS:-
  • I used a standard 240 ml measuring cup.
  • Add more green chilly according to your taste.
  • * shows optional ingredients.