Paneer matar Makhni, Paneer matar Butter Masala, Cottage cheese Butter curry

My mother is a great fan of Paneer dishes , reason being she is a complete vegetarian . By saying so, i mean she never use onion and garlic in her food. When she is bored of vegetables, lentils and chickpea's she loves to have Paneer. My mum prepare this one curry since my childhood "The paneer aalu masala"(Cottage cheese potato curry). I have always loved that dish, but could never cook it the way she did. So this paneer recipe is dedicated to my mother who is strong, lovely and extremely beautiful.

Paneer Matar Makhni/Paneer matar Butter Masala

This recipe will serve- 4 people
Preparation- 5 Minutes
Cooking- 15 to 20 Minutes
Level of difficulty- Easy

Ingredients:

• Paneer or Cottage cheese or Tofu- 200 gms
• Pea's -200gms
• Tomato- 4 medium size
• Ginger- 2 inch, sliced 
• chilli- 2 Optional
• Cumin seed- 1 Tsp
• Coriander Powder- 1.5 Tbsp
• Cinnamom powder or garam masala powder- 1 Tsp
• Cream- 200 ml
• All purpose flour- 1 Tbsp
• Salt as per taste
• Butter- 100gms
• Oil- 1 Tbsp

Preparation:

Paneer -

• Cut cubes out of the paneer, dust them with all purpose flour and salt.
• Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a kadai or skillet.
• Now carefully add these paneer cubes in the skillet. Flip once until each side of the paneer is light golden brown in color. Take them out in a plate.

Fried Paneer

Tomato ginger chilli paste-

• Bring together tomato , ginger and chilies in a food processor or Mixer grinder. Grind them to a fine paste.

Method of cooking:

• Use the same skillet in which we fried the paneer cubes.
• Add 50 gms of butter and let it melt.(To avoid browning of butter Add 1tsp of oil)
• Add the cumin seed and let them crackle.
• Once the cumin seed crackle add in the tomato paste and coriander powder, season with salt, cover and let it cook for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally. Once you see that the color of the tomato paste has browned a little add in the peas. season peas with salt cover and cook for 2 minutes. Stir Occasionally.
• After two minutes add the cream and let it come to boil
• Once it comes to boil add the fried paneer cubes. Sprinkle the garam masala and cook for 1/2 minute. Turn off the heat add the remaining butter.

Your Panner pea's butter masala is now ready to be served. Serve it hot with any bread or rice.

Enjoy and Happy cooking :-)

By- Sushmita Pandit.