Mattar Paneer Masala :a must-try recipe

Here is one of my favorite recipes green peas and paneer - the mattar paneer masala.

Ingredients:

Frozen Green peas("Mattar" )– 1 cup

Sugar – a pinch

Lemon juice – 1 teaspoon
Salt – 1 teaspoon or as per taste

Homemade Paneer – 2 cups ,cubed into bite size pieces (refer to my homemade paneer recipe),if you don't have paneer you can replace it with Tofu.

Oil – 3 teaspoon

Ghee – 1 teaspoon

For Puree:

Cinnamon – 1 stick

Cloves – 3

Cardamom – 2

Cumin seeds – 1-1/2 teaspoon,

whole Black peppercorns – 8-10,

yellow Onions – 2, medium size, finely sliced

Ginger – ½-inch piece, roughly chopped

Garlic – 3 cloves peeled whole

Green chillies– 3, medium size jalapeno pepper

Roma Tomatoes – 2, medium size

Spices:

Red chili powder – ½ teaspoon or to taste
Coriander powder – 1 teaspoon
Turmeric powder – ½ teaspoon

Cilantro leaves – chopped for garnishing

Method

• In a deep skillet fry sliced onions till deep brown.Drain them on a paper towel and let them cool.


• Grind green chillies.ginger,garlic,cardamom,cinnamon .cloves,cumin red chillies and black pepper corn in a grinder along with fried onions.Add little water to puree it smooth.


• In the same skillet fry paneer pieces till golden brown on both sides,take out and drain on paper towel.Sprinkle little salt on it.Its really splatters so don't wear your best clothes while doing it.Some people prefer not frying it.But frying gives it a distinct crispy flavour on the side and kinda melting texture from inside.


• Continuing furthur in the same skillet fry masala puree until it starts leaving oil from the edges.Add salt , turmeric, coriander powder, and redchilli powder.


• Add diced tomatoes and peas. also add few drops of lemon juice and pinch of sugar. Stir for another 5 mins or so.


• Add paneer and heavy cream.


• Simmer for few minutes


• Serve hot with jeera fried rice or naan.