Matter Paneer
This is one of the first Indian dishes I learned to cook. The
cottage cheese (paneer) makes it a good alternative for the
usual meat dishes - or pure vegetarian dishes - if you want
to eat something substantial.
Ingredients
For
two or three:
2
tbsp oil
1
cottage cheese cut to 2 cm pieces
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 medium onion, chopped fine
3 garlic cloves, mashed
2 cm ginger, minced
1 green chilli, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1
package of frozen green peas
1 tbsp cashew nuts, ground to a paste with a bit of water
salt
ground black pepper
fresh coriander
Masala:
1
tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp red chili powder
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp garam masala
1/4 cup water
Instructions
1. Fry
the cheese chunks in hot oil until golden. Remove and set aside
to drain on a paper towel. (You can also skip this step.)
2.
In the remaining oil fry the cumin seeds until they begin to
crackle.
3.
Add the chopped onion until it begins to turn brown. Do not
scorch.
4.
Add the garlic, ginger and green chilli. Continue frying for
another two minutes.
5.
Add the chopped tomato and fry 5 minutes to achieve a thick
gravy.
6.
Add the masala
and fry 3 more minutes. If needed add a little water.
7.
Stir in the peas and keep on frying.
8.
Add the paneer cubes and fry 2 minutes.
9.
Stir in the cashew paste. Add salt and pepper.
10.
Serve at once with basmati rice. Garnish with fresh coriander
leaves.
