Matar paneer is a very popular dish, preferably from north India and this is loved by kids and elders alike in India and other countries. It belongs to the category of vegetarian dishes where paneer, Indian cottage cheese matar, and green peas are cooked with a makhani gravy which is essentially made from tomato. Matar Paneer therefore goes well with Indian bread like naan or roti but it can equally be accompanied with rice making it a course on its own.
This recipe is easy to make highly sophisticated and offers a classic twist to the tongue. It involves the use of two main ingredients which include paneer and peas and both have seemed with much nutritional value. Paneer is a high protein and calcium food which doesn’t interfere much with the consuming person’s diet especially if the person follows a vegetarian diet. Green peas are packed with fiber vitamins and antioxidants which are greatly needed in the body. Together, they come up with what you can say is the perfect meal, taking into account the health aspect and nutritional value of the food.
In making Matar Paneer, one has to use fresh superior quality ingredients; it doesn’t allow compromising on quality. Primary ingredients include paneer cubes, green peas, tomatoes, onions, and spices while additional spices are added to enhance the flavor. The key component to preparing the gravy is making a paste of cashew nuts which can be made with more thicker consistency with the help of cream or milk. Every spice is used in the Matar Paneer recipe which helps in making up for the lost layers of flavours.
The preparation of Matar Paneer is not complicated at all and needs the following steps. That is, at first, the pieces of paneer are browned well on the outer surface but remain soft on the inner side. This step brings a beautiful texture and added flavor to the paneer. The basic preparation of the gravy is with diced onions which are cooked until golden brown to which the ginger-garlic paste is added for flavor. Tomatoes are sieved and added and brought to a fry till the oil separates giving a very rich Tomato base sauce.
Flavorful components that must be added include turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, and garam masala are important in the preparation of the dish as they give the dish warmth. Cashew paste is added to make it more creamy and the green peas are boiled to soften them. The last step is to reheat the prepared paneer cubes quickly in the prepared gravy and let it cook for some more time so that all the flavors are well absorbed.
Fresh Coriander leaves are often used to garnish the dish, giving the Matar Paneer a bright green color that looks inviting. It can be eaten simply, served with soft naan, roti, or flavorfully aromatic basmati rice as a main course. The delightful quality of Matar Paneer is that it can be eaten as a simple meal any day of the week as well as for celebration.
Besides the delicious taste that makes people enjoy this meal, Matar Paneer has the following nutritional benefits. The calorie, protein, carbohydrate, and fat of the Matar Paneer show that it is well-balanced and healthy. Paneer is a rich source of protein and green peas have several vitamin and mineral content in it. The tomatoes and spices added in the preparation of the dish not only assist in the flavoring but are also rich in antioxidants/anti-inflammatory.
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The dish known as Matar Paneer is one of the traditional dishes of North India involving soft and slim cubes of paneer or Indian cottage cheese, and tender green peas (Matar) cooked in a rich and spicy tomato base gravy. This spicy and scrumptious vegetarian recipe is perfect for lunch or dinner, best served it with warm naan, roti, or rice.
Servings 4
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.