Mutter paneer

When its time to plan a vegetarian menu for the family ,its really a test for ur culinary skills,a dish that pleases every one .we r a family of four,and all the three of them have different tastes.why only three?because I am the one person in the house who likes every thing(foodie by birth ,manufacturing defect........ hahaha ).

S  always asks me" Is there any dish that u dont like "?u never say no to any thing. and my reply to it is.....now I dont have my parents with me(they stay in India) to pamper me.....and more over after marriage n being a mother I realise  the effort that goes into cooking .

Now a days MR Z is in a vegetarian mode ,he prefers veg dishes for dinner. S is a great fan of both mutter and paneer,lil z prefers only the gravy for it tastes similar to butter chicken,so at the end this dish makes every ones tummy happy,so I am happy.it has no whims and fancies,and fast to cook and good to eat.

paneer aka indian cottage cheese is cooked in a rich gravy of onions n tomatoes. I have used homemade paneer ,I still remember first time  I had tasted home made mutter paneer at one of our relatives house at a dinner party ,asked her for the recipe ,and with my own mix n match,finally came up with the recipe.  ......

so........ have a look at it........here goes the recipe........

INGREDIENTS

TO GRIND

• 3 onions
• 1 tomato big size
• 10 cashews
• 1 tsp saunf 

FOR GRAVY

• 3 tbsp oil
• 15 pieces paneer
• 1/2 cup mutter ( green  peas)
• 1/2tsp red chilli powder
• 2 tsp ginger_ garlic paste
• 1 tsp kasuri methi powder
• 1/2 tsp dhania powder(CORIANDER) 
• 1/2 tsp zeera powder(CUMIN)
• 1/2 tsp garam masala

METHOD

1. Chop,saute and grind the items under "to grind" list.make it into a puree
2. In a pan add a little oil and grill the paneer on both sides until golden ,now place the paneer in cold water.
3. Heat oil in a pan.add peas(used frozen) to it and saute for a minute .now  add the puree (onion tomato) and all the masalas ,leaving kasuri methi and garam masala for the last.
4.  Saute this for about 5_8 minutes ,thereby adding some water .close the lid and cook until the water evaporates and the raw smell of masalas goes away.
5. Saute the curry until the oil leaves the side of the pan ,now add kasuri methi ,garam masala, paneer .
6. Give a nice stir,simmer the burner .allow the paneer to soakin all the masalas for about 3 _5 minutes .
7. Serve hot with ur choice of naan or roti or even pita bread.    

NOTES

1. Make a fine puree.
2. Grilling and placing in cold water makes the paneer soft and more over gets rid of its dairy smell.
3. I have used frozen peas u can use fresh as well but u have to cook  it before adding.
4. If u dont have kasuri methi powder .Heat a pan,turn the burner off,add k. methi to hot pan n roast it ,crush it between the palm of ur hands and make a powder .