Shahi Matar Paneer

Ingredients

• 200 gms. paneer cubes
• 1/2 cup green peas
• 3-4 tbsp. oil
• 1 " cinnamon stick
• 2-3 green cardamoms
• 4 cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger-garlic paste
• as required salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp. red chili powder
• 1 tbsp. roasted coriander-cumin powder
• 1 tbsp. shahi paneer masala
• 1 tsp. kasuri methi, crushed
• 2 tomatoes
• 10-12 cashew nuts
• 2 green chilies
• 1 tsp. coriander leaves, chopped

Steps

1. Blend the tomatoes, cashew nuts and green chilies into a smooth paste. Keep aside.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the ginger-garlic paste, all the dry spices and some water. Keep aside.
3. Heat oil in a pan and temper with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, bay leaves and cumin seeds. Sauté for a few seconds.
4. Add the onion and sauté till light brown. Now add the spice paste and continue to sauté till the oil separates.
5. Add the green peas and cook for 1-2 minutes. Now add the tomato-cashew paste and mix everything well. Cook till the oil separates.
6. Time to add the paneer, kasuri methi and 1/2 cup water. Cover and simmer till the gravy thickens and the oil separates.
7. When done, switch off the flame. Garnish with coriander leaves and a pinch of shahi paneer masala. Serve with naan, tandoori roti, jeera rice or plain biryani.