Ashk Matar Paneer 280g

Ashk Matar Paneer is a delightful vegetarian dish that blends the rich flavors of paneer (Indian cottage cheese), peas, and aromatic spices. The word „Ashk“ in Hindi means „tears,“ which often refers to the onions used in the preparation, as they bring out tears when chopped. This dish typically has a creamy tomato-based gravy, with the sweetness of peas balancing the richness of paneer. Here’s a basic recipe to prepare Ashk Matar Paneer:
Ingredients:
For the Curry:200g paneer, cubed
1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
2 medium onions, finely chopped
2 tomatoes, pureed
1-inch piece of ginger, finely chopped
4-5 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1-2 green chilies, slit
1/2 cup yogurt or cream
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
Salt to taste
2-3 tbsp oil or ghee
Fresh coriander leaves for garnishing
Instructions:
Preparation:
Cube the paneer and keep it aside. If using frozen peas, thaw them.
Puree the tomatoes and set them aside.
Fry the Paneer (Optional):
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan. Lightly fry the paneer cubes until they are golden on all sides. Remove them and soak them in warm water for a softer texture.
Cook the Onions:
In the same pan, add some more oil if needed and add cumin seeds. Let them splutter.
Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
Add the ginger, garlic, and green chilies. Cook until the raw smell disappears.
Add Spices:
Lower the heat and add turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, and cumin powder. Cook the spices for about 1-2 minutes.
Tomato Gravy:
Add the pureed tomatoes to the pan. Cook until the oil starts to separate from the mixture.
Add salt and continue to cook the mixture for another 5 minutes.
Creamy Element:
Lower the heat and slowly stir in the yogurt or cream to the mixture. Keep stirring to avoid curdling.
Simmer the gravy on low heat for a few minutes.
Cook the Peas and Paneer:
Add the green peas to the gravy and cook for 5 minutes.
Gently add the paneer cubes to the gravy and simmer for another 5 minutes.
Finishing Touch:
Sprinkle garam masala over the dish and mix well.
Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
Serving:
Serve Ashk Matar Paneer hot with naan, roti, or steamed rice. The creamy and mildly spiced gravy makes it a comforting dish perfect for lunch or dinner.
Enjoy your Ashk Matar Paneer!