MATAR PANEER/मटर पनीर/Peas and Cottage Cheese in Tomato Gravy

Yeah!!! The most liked Punjabi dish it is.Let us see how to prepare.Very easy,quick and delicious.

Ingredients :

1. Paneer or Cottage Cheese - 200 grams (Cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
2. Green peas (fresh or frozen) - 1 Cup
3. Tomato Purée - 2 Cups. Click here for the recipe of home made Tomato Purée
4. Butter - 2 Table Spoons (Melted)
5. Kasuri Methi - 1 Tea Spoon
6. Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder - 1 Tea Spoon
7. Garam Masala - 1 Table Spoon (Kitchen King Masala is the alternative)
8. Milk (Not Heavy Cream) - 1 Cup
9. Maida or All Purpose Powder - 1 Table Spoon(Not shown in the Photo)
10. Salt to Taste

STEPS :

• First, in a pan, heat the butter on low to medium flame.To that add the Paneer cubes as shown in the photo below.This step is needed, so that paneer is slightly fried in golden brown color hence attaining a good texture and taste.
  
• Once, Paneer cubes are slightly fried from one are two side, bring flame to low and add Kasuri Methi,Garam Masala,Red Chilli Powder and Salt.Stir well until you smell a nice aroma of these spices.
• To this add Green Peas and Tomato Purée.If the Purée is very thick.Add water such that all the ingredients can be cooked for around 5 minutes on medium heat with lid closed on it.
• Take the lid off. Add a Cup of Milk and keep cooking on low to medium heat
• Maida : Now why maida??? this is the one which gives the desired thickness,silky texture and great taste to this gravy. To the maida, add water such that it becomes like batter (not thick paste),remove lumps and add it to the boiling gravy.On the medium heat,keep sturring the gravy for around 2 minutes to avoid any lump.
• Let the gravy cook for another 2 to 4 minutes and put the flame off.
• Matar Paneer is ready to serve with any Roti,Naan or even Rice.

TIPS :

• Never ever keep the butter on high flame.It may convert in to Ghee (Clarified Butter),there by giving the unwanted smell in this gravy (yes, we want butter but not Ghee here in)
• The idea of 'Maida paste' works really great.Try and tell me.
• Kasuri Methi :  Add little, it is heavenly.Add more than required, it is the spoiler as it over takes all other aromas.So be careful while adding it.Do not exceed the quantity more thatn 1Tea Spoon for the above measurements in the list