Matar Paneer: Paneer and Pea Curry
This flavourful vegetarian curry features fresh peas and cubes of soft panner cheese. Serve with rice or naan bread to mop up every last bit.
Introduction
Paneer and pea curry is now one of the most popular dishes in the curry house. It is tangy and sweet with the pillowy wonder of good fresh cheese. Paneer can now be widely bought in supermarkets, but it’s also great fun to make at home by curdling milk and hanging the curds to solidify in a muslin cloth.
Ingredients
| 100ml | vegetable oil |
| 1 tsp | cumin seeds |
| 1 large | white onion, roughly chopped |
| 5 | garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped |
| 5cm piece of | fresh root ginger (20g), peeled and grated |
| 2 tsp | dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi) |
| 2 tbsp | Garam Masala (see page 15 of The Curry Bible for a homemade version) |
| 1 tsp | ground turmeric |
| ¼ tsp | chilli powder (optional) |
| 150g | tomato purée |
| 1 tsp | salt |
| 1½ tbsp | sugar, or to taste |
| 100g | crème fraîche |
| 250g | frozen green peas |
| 400–500g | paneer, cut into 3cm cubes |
| a large knob of | unsalted butter |
Method
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large heavy-based pan over a high heat. Add the cumin seeds and fry until they are a very dark brown.
Add the remaining oil to the pan, reduce the heat to medium-low, then add the onion, garlic and ginger. Cook until the onions have turned golden-brown and sweet.
Add the fenugreek, garam masala, turmeric and chilli powder (if using), then add the tomato purée. Mix well and cook for 2–3 minutes over a high heat, making sure that the tomato purée is starting to cook through a little.
Add 500ml water along with the salt and sugar. Bring to the boil, then remove from the heat and let cool a little.
For a silky sauce, use a stick blender or food processor to blend the sauce for about a minute until smooth. Stir in the crème fraîche and return the sauce to the pan, if necessary.
Return the pan to a medium heat, add the peas and paneer and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese has softened.
Turn off the heat and gently stir in the butter before serving.
Reviews
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