Shahi Matar Paneer – Green Peas and Cottage Cheese In Cashews And Cream

‘Shahi’, which means ‘Regal’… a dish that used to be cooked specially for the kings!
Shahi Matar Paneer, born in the North of India, is a serious medley of finger-licking deliciousness, creamy textures, gorgeous colors and aromatic spices. Matar or Green Peas and Paneer or Cottage Cheese are a match made in heaven which marry right here, in our kitchen.
So let’s get cooking… bring in the royalty onto our plate 🙂
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 – 20 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients: 
For paste:
2 medium size onions roughly chopped
3 tbsps cashwenuts, broken
6 medium size cloves of garlic
One inch or 2 tsps roughly chopped ginger
Grind all the above ingredient into a smooth paste. Don’t add too much of water while grinding.

For gravy:
1 cup of boiled peas
250 grams fresh paneer or cottage cheese
2 tbsp butter
1 cinnamon stick
2 cardamoms
2 cloves
1 bay leaf
2 tsp Kashmiri chili powder. This gives that gorgeous red color without burning your tongue.
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp corriander powder
1 tsp garam masala powder
1 tsp dry fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)
2 medium size tomatoes, pureed
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup fresh cream. I add bit more for that extra creaminess.
1 tbsp honey
2 tsp corn flour/ plain flour for thickening. Mix in water to make a paste.
Half cup water
Salt as per taste
Chopped coriander for garnishing

Method:
1. Heat butter in a broad, nonstick pan. Add a tsp of oil so it doesn’t burn.
2. Add the whole spices – cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and bay leaf. Fry on medium till aromatic.
3. Add the cashew-onion paste and fry for 1 minutes.
4. Add chili powder, garam masala, cumin powder, coriander powder and fenugreek leaves. Add half a cup of water, mix and cook on medium for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add tomato puree and cook for another couple of minutes.
6. Drizzle in the honey, milk, fresh cream and salt. Cook for 3-4 minutes on medium.
7. Add the cornflour / plain flour paste and stir. Cook on medium for 2 minutes.
8. Gently add the paneer and peas and mix, taking care not to bruise or break the paneer pieces. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes on medium, stirring occasionally.
9. Garnish with chopped coriander and serve hot with naan, flaky parathas or rotis.

Great ingredients are right there, on your shelf. Use them to create magic in your kitchen.