Matar Paneer Recipe | Dhaba Style Mutter Paneer Sabji

Matar Paneer Recipe | Mutter Paneer | Dhaba Style Matar Paneer ki Sabji with detailed photo and video recipe. One of the most popular and perhaps one of the simple and tasty North Indian paneer gravy-based curry recipes. Basically, it is prepared with the combination of paneer and green peas as its hero ingredient in a tomato and onion gravy base. It is typically served with a wide range of Indian flatbread recipes like naan, roti, and poori, but can also be served with any type of rice variants too.

Matar Paneer Recipe | Mutter Paneer | Dhaba Style Matar Paneer ki Sabji with step-by-step photo and video recipe. Paneer-based north Indian curries have always been one of the popular curry choices for most of us. Typically it was introduced as a meat-based alternative for vegetarians but has garnered a lot of attention towards it. There are myriad ways of preparing gravy-based paneer curries and one such hugely popular north Indian curry recipe is the Matar paneer recipe known for subtle creaminess and flavor.

I have always been a huge fan of paneer and paneer-based curry recipes. You may have noticed in my blog and also in my video channels with a wide range of paneer curry recipes I have posted now. With Mutter Paneer, perhaps it was one of the first curry recipes I had posted. However, I revisit my old recipes and try to recreate them with better videos and also try to make them simpler. As part of that exercise, I am revisiting my dhaba style matar paneer ki sabji, where I have reduced the amount of oil and cream to make it healthy. In addition, I fried the onions and tomatoes before grinding them to paste. However, you may also use water to boil it, which in turn reduces the use of oil to fry it. I find it very effective and also healthy and hence I generally use it for most of my north Indian curries. Do try this way and let me know if you liked this dhaba-style mutter paneer.

Some more additional tips, suggestions, and variants for a perfectly flavored matar paneer recipe. Firstly, the paneer has to be moist, juicy, and tender for this recipe for a perfect dhaba-style curry. I have used homemade paneer which is fresh and perfect for this recipe. If you are in rush try to get fresh paneer from your local grocery store. Ensure to buy soft and moist paneer as some paneer may be hard due to adulteration. Secondly, I have used frozen green peas as I do not have access to fresh peas. If you have access to it, you should be using it instead of the frozen option. Lastly, I have not added fresh cream on top of the prepared gravy recipe. Adding cream would certainly make it tasty, but would reduce the spice level. Perhaps, it is better to increase the chili powder and garam masala and then add the cream for a better taste.

Finally, I request you to check my other related Paneer recipes collection with this post on matar paneer recipes. It mainly includes my other related recipes like Matar Paneer Pulao Recipe, Veg Egg Curry Recipe, Dahi Ke Kabab Recipe, Paneer Do Pyaza Recipe – Dhaba Style, Paneer Ghotala Recipe, paneer pepper masala, paneer makhani, paneer butter masala, lunch thali, paneer tikka masala. Further to these, I would also like to mention my other related recipe categories like,

• Curry recipes
• Roti naan recipes
• Instant recipes

About Matar Paneer Recipe:

Today there are myriad variants to this simple and healthy paneer recipe. But it is believed that the recipe for mutter paneer originated from the colorful Punjabi or North Indian cuisine. Moreover, the recipe is very simple with basic spices but the combination of green peas and moist paneer makes it a premium veg curry recipe. Like any other Indian curry, the base is prepared with the basic tomato and onion gravy tossed with spices like garam masala, chili powder, and turmeric. Additionally, it may also contain malai (cooking cream) or cashew paste which makes it rich and creamy. Thus making it one of the sought-after paneer curry or paneer recipes.

Additionally, matar paneer recipe is also known for the nutritional benefits it has to offer. Particularly, it is rich in protein and fiber from paneer and fresh green peas. This can be really helpful for vegetarians as a complete meal. Further, the versatility of this dish is not hidden. Apart from serving the flatbreads like roti, naan, and paratha, it can also be served with a choice of rice recipes. The most common flavored rice is jeera rice, pepper rice, or any type of pulao. In conclusion, this creamy recipe can be prepared once in bulk and can be enjoyed by all age groups of people.

Video recipe:

Recipe card for Mutter Paneer:

How to make Matar paneer with step-by-step photo:

1. Firstly, in a pan heat 2 tbsp oil. add 2 onions, 4 cloves garlic, and 2-inch ginger.
   
2. Saute until the onions turn golden brown.
   
3. Add 4 tomatoes, and 2 tbsp cashew, and saute until the tomato turn soft and mushy.
   
4. Cool completely, and transfer to a mixer jar.
   
5. Grind to smooth paste without adding water.
   
6. To prepare curry, heat 2 tbsp oil. add 1 tsp ghee, 1 tsp cumin, ½ inch cinnamon, 3 pods cardamom, and 2 chilies. Saute until the spices turn aromatic.
   
7. Keeping the flame on low, add ½ tsp turmeric, 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp coriander powder, ½ tsp cumin powder, and ½ tsp garam masala.
   
8. Saute until the spices turn aromatic.
   
9. Now add prepared gravy and cook well.
   
10. Keep cooking until the oil separates from the gravy base.
    
11. Further, add 3 cup water and 1 tsp salt.
    
12. Mix well adjusting the consistency of the gravy.
    
13. Further, add 1½ cups of peas and 200 grams of paneer. Mix well.
    
14. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the peas are cooked well.
    
15. Add 2 tbsp cream, 1 tsp kasuri methi, and 2 tbsp coriander.
    
16. Finally, enjoy matar paneer with roti or rice.
    

Notes:

• Firstly, if you are using fresh peas then make sure to boil them in water before adding.
• Also, cook the gravy base until the oil separates from it. else the curry will taste raw.
• Additionally, you can pan-fry the paneer before adding it to the gravy.
• Finally, matar paneer recipe tastes great when prepared slightly creamy.

Faqs:

What is Matar Paneer?

It is basically a simple Punjabi or North Indian curry recipe made with cottage cheese and fresh green peas. It is a rich and creamy gravy recipe that can be ideally served with any type of flatbread like roti, naan, or paratha, or with any flavored rice.

Is Matar Paneer spicy?

It is a versatile dish, and can be adapted to any type of taste preference. Generally, it belongs to medium spicy due to the set of ingredients used like cream, cashews, etc. However, the spice level can be increased or decreased based on the taste preference, by increasing or decreasing the chili powder, garam masala, etc.

Is Matar Paneer healthy?

Certainly, it can be categorized as a healthy and nutrient-rich curry recipe. The 2 hero ingredients, i.e paneer and green peas are rich in protein and fiber respectively. Therefore, it can be certainly a complete meal for vegetarians, especially when served with bread or rice.

What can I serve with Matar Paneer?

It is typically served with Indian flatbreads like roti, naan, garlic naan, poori, chapati, and paratha. In addition, it can also be served with a wide range of flavored rice like jeera rice, pepper rice, ghee rice, pulao, and plain rice.

Can I make Matar Paneer vegan?

Yes it can be made as vegan by substituting paneer with tofu or maybe potatoes. Also, cooking cream has to be replaced with cashew or almond paste. But the recipe may not be termed as matar paneer as panner is replaced with another ingredient.

What is the origin of Matar Paneer?

It is believed that the recipe originated from Punjab or Northern India due to its style and range of ingredients used in it. However, it is a popular dish across India, if not around the world. And hence it has seen myriad variations and alterations as per the local taste and preferences.

Can I use frozen peas for Matar Paneer?

Yes frozen peas are certainly a convenient option. You may use frozen or canned peas and there should not be any significant difference in taste and texture. However, if you have access to fresh peas, it is highly recommended to use them for authentic and traditional flavors.

How long does Matar Paneer last?

Mutter Paneer can easily last long for 2-3 days when stored in the refrigerator. You may reheat it and perhaps add water to bring it to the right consistency. In addition, you may also freeze the curry in the freezer. However, I personally recommend preparing and serving it freshly as the frozen may not have the same taste and flavor.

Can I make Matar Paneer without tomatoes?

While tomatoes are not the hero ingredient for this recipe. Yet it is one of the important and significant ingredients used to prepare the gravy base. Hence skipping or alternative may not get the same taste and texture. You may replace it with coconut milk, curd (yogurt), or cooking cream.

Can I make Matar Paneer without onion and garlic?

Yes certainly it can be made without onion and garlic for those who follow Satvik or Jain diet. You may use tomatoes and ginger with chilies to get the gravy base and flavor.

Can I make Matar Paneer in an Instant Pot?

Yes you can make this in an Instant pot or electric pressure cooker. Cooking in a pressure cooker helps to hasten the cooking process without any addition or subtraction of ingredients. However, note that you may have to add the paneer at the last once the pressure is released. Otherwise, the paneer may turn hard and chewy if pressure cooked.