Kitchen Recipe Collection
Indian Matar Paneer
A beloved North Indian curry featuring sweet green peas and soft paneer cubes in a rich, spiced tomato and onion gravy.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- medium
- Cuisine
- indian
Ingredients
Scaled for 4 servings
- paneer (cottage cheese)
- green peas (matar)
- onions
- tomatoes
- ginger-garlic paste
- cashews
- cumin seeds
- coriander powder
- garam masala
- cream
Equipment
- Blender
- Pan or wok (kadai)
Instructions
- 1
Prepare Paneer
Cut paneer into bite-sized cubes. Soak them in warm water if they are store-bought, to make them incredibly soft.
- 2
Make Paste Base
Roughly chop onions and tomatoes. In a small pan, boil them with a few cashew nuts until soft.
- 3
Blend the Base
Let the boiled mixture cool, then blend it into a completely smooth puree.
- 4
Heat Oil
In a wok or kadai, heat oil or ghee. Add cumin seeds and let them crackle.
- 5
Cook Aromatics
Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for 1 minute.
- 6
Cook the Puree
Pour the blended onion-tomato-cashew puree into the pan. Be careful, as it will splatter.
- 7
Add Spices
Add turmeric, red chili powder, and coriander powder. Cook on medium heat until the masala thickens and oil begins to separate.
- 8
Add Peas
Add the green peas (fresh or frozen) and a cup of water. Stir well.
- 9
Simmer
Cover and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes until the peas are tender and the gravy has developed a rich color.
- 10
Add Paneer
Gently drop the soft paneer cubes into the bubbling gravy. Add salt and mix lightly.
- 11
Finish with Spices
Sprinkle garam masala and crushed kasuri methi (dry fenugreek leaves). Simmer for just 2 more minutes.
- 12
Garnish and Serve
Turn off the heat, stir in a spoonful of cream, garnish with fresh coriander, and serve hot with naan, paratha, or rice.
Cooking Tips
- Soaking store-bought paneer in warm water for 15 minutes is the ultimate secret to soft, melt-in-the-mouth cubes.
- Cashews give the gravy a slight sweetness and a creamy, restaurant-style thickness.
Variations
- Aloo Matar: Replace the paneer with boiled potato cubes for a vegan, everyday version.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- One of the most commonly made paneer dishes in Indian homes due to its simplicity and universally loved taste.
Nutrition Estimate
380 calories · 18g protein · 20g carbs · 28g fat · 5g fiber per serving
