Mutter Paneer with Almond Paste (Green Peas with Indian Cottage Cheese)

Mutter Paneer is a popular North Indian preparation and is definitely one of my favorite vegetarian Indian dishes. The soft and creamy Paneer (Cottage Cheese) with fresh Green Peas (Green Peas) in a spicy , tangy tomato gravy, is a perfect side-dish not only with Indian Flatbreads like Roti or Naan but goes equally well with Basmati Rice or Pulav. 
I have used Almond paste in this dish to give the gravy a richer flavor and an extra kick. 

Serves 6

Ingredients
200 Gm / 7Oz - Paneer / Cottage Cheese, cubed
1 1/2 Cups - Fresh or Frozen Green Peas
2 - Onions, chopped
3 - Tomatoes, chopped
10 Cloves - Garlic
1 cm - Fresh Ginger
1 1/2 Tsp - Red Chilly Powder
1/2 Tsp- Turmeric Powder
3 Tsp - Coriander Powder
1/2 Tsp - Jeera/ Cumin Powder
1/4 Tsp - Chat Masala
3/4 Tsp - Garam Masala
1/2 Cup - Milk (You can use Almond milk or Cow's Milk)
15 - Almonds
1 1/2 Tbsp - Kasoori Methi/ Dry Fenugreek Leaves
1/4 Cup - Fresh Cilantro
2 Tbsp - Fresh Cream (optional)
Salt
Oil, Ghee or Butter

Directions 

• In a microwave-safe bowl, add the almonds and just enough water to soak them. Microwave for 1 minute and take it out. Once cooled, the skin of the almond can be pealed off easily.
• Grind the almond in the water in which it was blanched, to make a smooth paste. Keep aside.
• Grind the ginger and garlic into a paste in the blender
• Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan and add oil/ghee or Butter. Add the ginger-garlic paste and saute for a minute. Keep stirring to avoid burning the mixture
• Add onions and saute them until brown. Keep stirring to avoid burning the onions
• In a small bowl, add the Red Chilly Powder,Turmeric Powder, Coriander Powder,Jeera/ Cumin Powder, Chat Masala, Garam Masala with some water and make a paste. 
• Add the spice paste to the sauteed onions and cook for 5 minutes
• Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes cook well enough to blend into the sauce.
• Stir in the Paneer.
• Add the almond paste and milk and cook for 2 minutes
• Add green peas and cook until the peas is cooked. (If you over cook the peas you will loose the green color)
• Take Kasoori methi in between your palms and crush the leaves. Add it to the dish
• Take the dish off the heat and garnish with fresh cilantro and fresh cream.

Notes and Tips 

• Make sure you buy Green Peas instead of Sweet Green Peas.  
• You can add 2 Tablespoons of Heavy Cream to make a richer gravy. 
• The onion should be sauteed well and should be a nice brown color before you add the spices.