To make Chef special mattar paneer, you can follow this recipe. Mattar paneer is a popular Indian dish made with green peas and paneer (Indian cottage cheese) cooked in a flavorful tomato-based sauce.
Ingredients:
For the gravy:
2 cups of fresh or frozen green peas
250g paneer (Indian cottage cheese), cubed
2 large tomatoes, pureed
1 large onion, finely chopped
2-3 green chilies, finely chopped (adjust according to your spice preference)
1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
1/2 cup cashews, soaked in water for 30 minutes (optional, for a creamier texture)
1/2 cup fresh cream (optional, for a richer gravy)
1/4 cup plain yogurt (optional, for a tangy taste)
2 tablespoons oil or ghee (clarified butter)
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to your spice preference)
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Salt to taste
Water, as needed
For garnishing:
Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
Instructions:
Heat oil or ghee in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
Add chopped onions and green chilies to the pan. Sauté until the onions turn translucent.
Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute until the raw smell disappears.
Now, add the tomato puree to the pan and cook the mixture until the oil starts to separate from the tomatoes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
While the tomatoes cook, you can blend the soaked cashews (if using) into a smooth paste using a little water.
Once the tomatoes are well-cooked, add the cashew paste (if using) and mix well.
Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, ground coriander, ground cumin, sugar, and salt to the pan. Mix everything thoroughly and cook for another couple of minutes.