Peas & Paneer in Creamy Tomato Chutney

The new year is upon us and I thought I’d start it off by sharing a really tasty paneer recipe, because who can’t resist creamy, buttery, spicy paneer? Served with soft, white roti, this is a perfect hearty meal for a Sunday afternoon!

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Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
  • 1 dry red chilli
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 cloves
  • 2 green cardamom pods
  • ½ tsp cumin seeds
  • ½ medium-sized red onion, chopped in thin slices
  • 1 tsp finely crushed or chopped red chilli
  • ½ tsp crushed ginger
  • ½ tsp crushed garlic
  • 4 medium-sized gem tomatoes (blended with ½ cup water)
  • Salt to taste
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp dhana jeeroo (coriander & cumin powder)
  • ½ tsp garam masala
  • ½ tsp red chilli powder
  • 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
  • 2½ cups / 750g cubed paneer (cottage cheese)
  • salt, turmeric, dhana jeeroo, red chilli powder, fresh green chilli, ginger and garlic to taste
  • ½ cup of green peas
  • 125ml fresh cream
  • Handful of chopped coriander leaves & spring onions for garnish

 

Method

  1. Heat ghee in a pot on medium heat. Add dry red chilli, cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom pods and cumin seeds.
  2. Once the spices have slightly browned, add chopped onion and cook till translucent.
  3. Then add fresh red chilli, ginger and garlic. Braise for a few seconds or until the raw aroma disappears.
  4. Add tomatoes and allow to cook on the stove on medium heat for 5 minutes. Flavour with salt, turmeric, dhana jeeroo, garam masala, red chilli powder and Kashmiri red chilli powder.
  5. Meanwhile, in another pan, braise green chilli, ginger and garlic in oil and add paneer (cottage cheese). Psssst... Have you tried my homemade paneer recipe?
  6. Flavour with salt, turmeric, dhana jeeroo and red chilli powder.
  7. Cook for about 4 minutes, once the paneer is nicely browned. It should be slightly crispy on the outside, yet still soft on the inside.
  8. Add peas. Mix gently and cook for 1 more minute. Remove from heat.
  9. Once the tomato chutney is cooked, add the fresh cream. Mix well and then add it over the fried paneer. Garnish with chopped spring onion and coriander leaves.