Matar Paneer Dry

Paneer is the desi cottage cheese that is prepared at home too! In Indian cuisine, there are many paneer recipes. From snacks to main course, you can find many recipes with this exotic ingredient. From all, matar paneer is one of the most popular main Course recipe. Matar paneer is a gravy masala that is prepared with fried paneer cubes, matar (green peas) and lots of spices. However, if you want to try a different variety of the delicious and filling paneer matar, you can make the dry version. Matar paneer dry is another side dish recipe for the main course. Every time you do not want to prepare the rich and spicy matar paneer. So, this is a healthy alternative. Moreover, matar paneer dry is easy to make and requires less ingredients. Check out the recipe to make matar paneer dry. 

Serves: 3 

Preparation time: 5 minutes 

Cooking time: 20-25 minutes 

Ingredients 

Paneer cubes- 1 cup 

Green peas/matar- 1 cup 

Onion- 2 (chopped), optional 

Tomato- 1 (chopped) 

Milk- ½ cup 

Ginger- 1 inch (minced) 

Garlic pods- 5-6 (chopped) 

Turmeric powder- a pinch 

Red chilli powder- 1tsp 

Garam masala- ½ tsp 

Coriander powder- 1tsp 

Cumin seeds powder- ½ tsp 

Bay leaf- 1 

Salt- as per taste 

Water- ½ cup 

Oil- ½ cup

Procedure 

1.Heat 3tbsp oil in a frying pan. Season with bay leaf. Add the onions (if using), ginger and garlic. Saute on a medium flame for a minute. 

2.Add the green peas and stir fry for 2 minutes on a medium flame. 

3.When the green peas are half cooked, add the chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, paneer cubes and salt. Mix well and let the paneer cubes get fried. If you want, you can add little more oil to prevent the paneer cubes from sticking to the pan. 

4.Sprinkle red chilli powder, cumin seeds powder and then add milk and water. Mix well and simmer for 3-4 minutes till the gravy thickens. 

5.Add the garam masala once the paneer cubes look fried and the gravy has dried. Cook for another 1 minute. 

Matar paneer dry is ready to eat. If you don't want to use milk or water, you can remove them from the ingredients list. However, adding little water and milk helps get the exotic flavour of this side dish.