Recipe: Matar Paneer

Matar Paneer, a North Indian delicacy, is enjoyed by people across the country as well as overseas. This humble preparation goes well with almost everything such as roti, naan, chapati, paratha, steamed rice, jeera rice, or any other rice preparation. A vegetarian delicacy, matar paneer takes around 30 minutes to be prepared. Let us read more and know about the matar paneer ingredients that are required for preparing the perfect matar paneer recipe.

Ingredients required for Matar Paneer

The following are the ingredient for preparing matar paneer recipe:

Preparation Time: 15 mins | Serves: 4 | Cooking Time: 15 mins

Main ingredients:

● 300 grams paneer

● 1 cup green peas

● 3 tablespoons ghee or oil

● ½ teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)

● ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder (haldi)

● ¼ teaspoon turmeric Kashmiri red chilli powder

● ¼ teaspoon garam masala

● 1 tablespoon fresh cream

● Salt as per taste

● ½ teaspoon sugar

● ½ teaspoon kasoori methi

● 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves

For preparing the Masala Paste:

● ½ cup chopped onions

● 1 teaspoon chopped green chillies

● Ginger - 1 tsp (chopped)

● 3 medium-sized chopped tomatoes

● I teaspoon finely-chopped garlic

● 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves

● 10 to 12 cashew nuts

● 4 to 5 black peppercorns

● 2 cloves

● ½ stick cinnamon

● 1 tablespoon coriander seeds

The Preparation

Matar Paneer is one such dish that fits every occasion. Be it normal dinner or eating at a gathering, matar paneer has a place of its own. So, let us read more and know how to make matar paneer recipe

Preparation of The Masala Paste:

In this easy matar paneer recipe, first, we need to prepare the masala paste.

•Take a blender or a grinder. Now, put all the ingredients that are mentioned under ‘masala paste’ in this blender.

•Grind all the ingredients and make a smooth fine paste. If required, you can add some water for smooth blending and consistency.

•Open the lid and pour the paste into a separate bowl. Make sure there are no chunks.

•Now, put this masala paste aside.

Preparing Matar Paneer Recipe

Once the masala paste is ready, we will now proceed ahead with the cooking process. Follow the steps below to prepare matar paneer.

•Take a pressure cooker and put it on the gas stove. Add oil to the cooker and let it heat. Once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds. Ensure that the oil is not extremely hot or else it will burn the cumin seeds and it will give a burnt effect to the entire preparation. Thereafter, let the cumin seeds sputter.

•Thereafter, add the prepared masala paste and saute it well with the cumin seeds and oil. The paste sputters at times, hence, it is essential to take care of this while cooking. In case, the paste is sputtering, then one can partially cover the cooker with the lid.

•Now saute the paste for about 10 to 12 minutes on a low to medium flame. Cook till the oil separates from the paste. Now, the paste will become glossy and thick in consistency.

•Once this is done, it's time to spice up the preparation. So, now all the spices such as red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, etc will be added. Take a spatula and mix all the spices and paste evenly.

•If you want to add malai or cream then you can now start adding it. Pour and keep stirring so that it blends within the masala.

•Here, you need to add matar or green peas along with water and salt. Bring a boil to this mixture.

•Now, close the lid of the cooker and then cook for 9 to 10 minutes i.e. 2 to 3 whistles.

•Once the pressure dims, the cooker opens. Now, one should check the consistency of the gravy. If it is thick then add some water or if it is thin then simmer it and let it cook to get the desired consistency.

•Now that the gravy is as per the right consistency, start adding paneer cubes. Stir well and let the paneer cook. Keep a check so that the paneer does not overcook, as a result, it will start breaking or will become tight.

•Lastly, garnish with coriander leaves and serve it hot. One can enjoy it with kulcha, puri, jeera rice, chapatis or parathas.

Making Matar Paneer Instant Method

Preparing the Matar Paneer recipe requires a great amount of patience. But, in case you are in a hurry and are looking for an instant method to prepare matar paneer recipes then we have got you covered. We have provided the recipe for the same.

•Firstly, prepare the masala paste. Take a blender and put in spices, cashews, herbs, and tomatoes.

•Now, in a pressure cooker add oil and saute the cumin seeds

•Add the ground masala paste to the pan. Stir it well and let it cook till its consistency becomes thick and glossy.

•Now start adding the spices. Put garam masala powder, red chili powder, and turmeric powder. Saute the mixture for 1 to 2 minutes.

•Put green peas, salt as per taste, and a cup of water in the mixture. Now, stir and combine it properly.

•Now cover the cooker with a lid and seal the valve. Cook for 5 minutes and release the pressure.

•Start adding the paneer cubes and stir them properly. Mix it well and let it simmer. Once done, garnish coriander leaves and mix well. Serve warm or hot with either rice, naan, or with a desired Indian flatbread.

Variations of Matar Paneer

There are different variations of matar paneer recipes that can be prepared. They are as follows:

1. For a quick and simple version, take a wok and saute finely chopped onions, ginger garlic paste, pureed tomatoes, and cashew nuts. Keep stirring and then add spices as per taste. Add water and bring it to a boil. Thereafter, add peas and paneer cubes. Let it cook and then serve hot.

2. A second way of preparing this dish is by adding yogurt and eliminating the cream. Thereafter, follow the regular recipe and get a new variation of matar paneer recipe.

3. Thirdly, if you are fasting and want to relish this recipe, then do not add onion and garlic. Apart from this, you can keep all the other ingredients included and prepare them in a regular way. This will give another variant of this dish.

These are some of the variations of matar paneer recipe.

Expert Tips

The following are some of the tips which can give an extra touch of love, taste and expertise to your matar paneer recipe.

1. Inclusion of tomatoes:

By adding ripe and sweet tomatoes, you can actually accentuate the taste and consistency of this recipe. In case the tomatoes are a bit sour, then add some light cream or sugar to balance the taste. Another way of using tomatoes is by first boiling them. Then peel its skin and make a gravy of those tomatoes and add them organically. The taste will be different and tempting.

2. Creamy Recipe:

In case, you are a sweet lover, then you can give a fusion of ground cashews to this dish. This will make the dish creamier and slightly sweet.

3. No Garlic and Onion:

In case, you are not adding garlic or onion then simply add hing, jeera, and the masala paste. Add the grounded masala paste and mix it properly with the base. Just keep a watch on the flame as the base might burn. So prepare properly.

4. Advance preparation:

This is a smart and time-saving way for preparing matar paneer. In case, you are running short of time, then you can blend or grind or prepare the masala paste well in advance and refrigerate it. Thereafter, one can use it while preparing the matar paneer gravy.

5. Taste enhancer:

Usually, people prepare this delicacy in olive oil from a health perspective. But, if you are willing to enhance the taste then adding 2 to 3 teaspoons of ghee or clarified butter will work wonders and add richness.

Tips for making Matar Paneer

The following are some of the important pointers to be checked for preparing matar paneer recipe:

1. Although frozen green peas are available in the market, try to use fresh green peas during winter. Later, you can peel those seasonal green peas and store them in your refrigerator in zip-lock bags.

2. Add tomatoes that are juicy and red in colour. This will give more taste to your gravy.

3. In case, the tomato is sour then add cream or sugar to balance it out.

4. Instead of adding raw paneer cubes in gravy, you can stir fry the paneer cubes until golden brown. Add them, and experience a different taste altogether.

Conclusion

This rich, flavourful and delicious recipe from North Indian cuisine, is a must-try for one and all. A very easy and quick-to-prepare dish, the best part about matar paneer is that it goes well with both rice and Indian flattened bread. So, what is the wait for? Cook this dish this winter and experience the richness of this Indian gravy dish.

FAQs or Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How to prepare a Vegan Matar Paneer Recipe?

A1. If you are willing to prepare a Vegan Matar Paneer recipe then replace paneer with Tofu.

Q2. Can you specify the protein quantity in the Matar Paneer Recipe?

A2. There are 136 calories, 5 grams of protein, 1.5 grams of net carbs, and 4.5 grams of total carbs in 1 cup of Matar Paneer.

Q3. How can I soften the paneer for this dish?

A3. In case, the paneer is hard and tight, then boil 1 cup of water. Dice the paneer into small cubes. Place a steamer or straining tray on the vessel of boiled water. Place all the cut paneer pieces in this steamer. Cover it with a lid. Keep it for 10 to 15 minutes. The paneer will be soft and mushy.