December 5, 2011

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. 





14 comments:

  1. wow Mutter Paneer is one of my favorites and this recipe looks amazing! I'll have to try it.

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  2. wow... mutter paneer looks yumm... liked the addition of almonds... delicious... my favourite as well..

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  3. Soooo colourful. Kurachu mattivachere kettoooo.

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  4. Beautiful pictures, looks yummy! Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving your sweet comments. Happy to follow your blog :)

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  5. looks awesome! cant wait to try it .. bookmarked!

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  6. chechs... looks yummy yummy :)

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  7. Love the addition of almonds. Sure looks rich and delicious.

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  8. Thanks for stopping by........love your space too.......awesoem pics & recipes.......will go over each one with more time in hand. Thanks for visiting. Following you.

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  9. hi just tried this recipe last weekend and it tasted wonderful. my in laws couldnt stop praising this dish and called it restaurant like. all thanks to u shema. do continue blogging waiting to try ur recipes.

    sush

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  10. hi just tried this recipe last weekend and it tasted wonderful. my in laws couldnt stop praising this dish and called it restaurant like. all thanks to u shema. do continue blogging waiting to try ur recipes.

    sush

    ReplyDelete

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Thanks a bunch,
Shema