Name: Matar Paneer recipe by Pavithira Vijay at BetterButter
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 3
Ingredients: 350 - 400 gms Paneer; 1 cup Green Peas (Fresh or Frozen); 2 Medium Onions; 3 Tomatoes; 1 green chilli; 8 - 10 Cashewnuts; salt as needed; 1 tsp red chilli powder; 1 1/2 tsp Coriander powder; 1 tsp cumin powder; 1/4 tsp turmeric powder; 1 tsp garam masala; 1 tsp Kasuri Methi; 2 - 3 tbsp Oil; 1 Cinnamon stick; 1/2 tsp cumin seeds; 3 cardamom; 2 - 3 Cloves; 2 - 3 tbsp Heavy Cream (or 1/4 cup Milk)

Heat oil in a pan, add whole garlic and after few seconds add roughly chopped onions, green chilli and saute them until soft. Then add the cashew nuts and saute along with onions.

Throw in the roughly chopped tomatoes, saute for a minute and then close and cook until soft. Keep aside and let it cool. Then grind into a smooth puree adding little water if needed.

Meanwhile, drizzle some oil in a pan, and once hot fry the paneer pieces until they turn golden brown. Keep aside until needed.

Add some oil in a pan, once hot add the whole spices followed by cumin seeds and the spice powders (except garam masala). Keep the flame in low and just fry the masalas in oil for 15 - 20 seconds.

Then add the ground puree to this masala and mix well. Cook for 4 - 5 minutes and then add the green peas. Add little water, salt and allow the peas to get cooked. (Close and cook if needed)

Once peas are cooked, Stir in the cream and throw in the fried paneer cubes. Adjust the salt and water as per the consistency needed.

Sprinkle garam masala and the crushed Kasuri methi and give a mix.

Turn off stove and serve hot with roti , kulcha or naan,. Goes well even with any rice items too.