Creamy Makhani Mattar Paneer Delight
Indulge in the rich and velvety flavors of Makhani Mattar Paneer, a luxurious twist on the traditional Indian dish featuring sweet peas and cottage cheese. This recipe showcases the delightful combination of creamy textures and aromatic spices, making it a favorite on North Indian tables. While it's certainly a treat for the taste buds, it's also a dish that brings warmth and comfort—perfect to share with friends and family. Enjoy the bold spices balanced with the smoothness of cream, set against the backdrop of fragrant basmati rice or buttery naan. This is not just a meal; it's an experience.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Sweet peas
1 (16-ounce can, drained)
Indian cottage cheese (Paneer)
8 (ounces, cubed)
Cashews
2 (tablespoons, lightly salted)
Red onion
1 (large, finely chopped)
Garlic cloves
3-4 (finely chopped)
Green chilies
4 (finely chopped (not Jalapeños))
Fresh ginger
1 (teaspoon, finely chopped or pickled ginger for enhanced flavor)
Tomato
1 (chopped)
Fresh cream
2 (tablespoons (or Half & Half as an alternative))
Cumin seeds
1/4 (teaspoon)
Cardamom pods
4 (whole)
Cinnamon stick
1 (1 inch)
Bay leaves
2 (whole)
Garam masala
2 (tablespoons)
Red chili pepper
1 (tablespoon)
Coriander powder
1/2 (tablespoon)
Cumin powder
1/2 (tablespoon)
Salt
to taste
Ghee or oil
2-3 (tablespoons)
Instructions
1
In a deep, heavy-bottomed wok, heat the ghee or oil over medium heat.
2
Add the cumin seeds, cardamom pods, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick. Roast the spices for about 3 minutes until fragrant.
3
Introduce the finely chopped red onion and sauté until it turns golden brown.
4
Stir in the chopped green chilies, garlic, and ginger. Fry the mixture until it darkens and the oil separates from the masala.
5
Add the garam masala, red chili powder, coriander powder, and cumin powder. Cook for an additional 5 to 6 minutes, stirring carefully.
6
Incorporate the cashews and sauté for another 5 minutes, allowing them to toast slightly.
7
Add the chopped tomato and cook until the tomatoes soften and the masala becomes consistent.
8
Season with salt, and continue frying for another 3 minutes.
9
Drain the peas and add them to the mixture, stirring gently to coat them well with the masala.
10
Fold in the paneer cubes, ensuring they are evenly coated with the spice mixture.
11
Pour in water to reach desired gravy consistency, and bring the mixture to a boil.
12
Finally, add fresh cream and allow the dish to boil once more, stirring gently before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Makhani Mattar Paneer Delight?
It is a luxurious Indian dish featuring sweet peas and cottage cheese in a rich, velvety gravy, perfect for sharing with friends and family.
What are the main ingredients of Makhani Mattar Paneer?
The main ingredients include sweet peas, Indian cottage cheese (Paneer), cashews, cream, and various aromatic spices.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to yield 4 servings.
What type of peas should be used?
The recipe specifies a 16-ounce can of sweet peas, which should be drained before use.
How much paneer is required?
You will need 8 ounces of Indian cottage cheese (Paneer), cut into cubes.
What whole spices are used in the initial roasting?
The whole spices used are cumin seeds, cardamom pods, bay leaves, and a 1-inch cinnamon stick.
How long should the whole spices be roasted?
Roast the whole spices in ghee or oil for about 3 minutes until they become fragrant.
What type of onion is recommended?
The recipe calls for one large red onion that has been finely chopped.
How should the ginger be prepared?
Use one teaspoon of finely chopped fresh ginger, or you can use pickled ginger for an enhanced flavor.
What kind of chilies are used in this dish?
The recipe requires 4 finely chopped green chilies; it specifically notes not to use Jalapeños.
What ground spices are included in the masala?
The ground spices include garam masala, red chili powder, coriander powder, and cumin powder.
How long do I cook the ground spices?
The ground spices should be cooked for an additional 5 to 6 minutes while stirring carefully.
What role do cashews play in the recipe?
Cashews are added to the mixture and sautéed for 5 minutes to toast slightly, contributing to the rich and creamy texture.
When do I add the tomatoes?
Add the chopped tomato after toasting the cashews and cook until they soften and the masala becomes consistent.
What should I use for frying the ingredients?
You can use 2-3 tablespoons of either ghee or oil.
When should I add the cream?
The fresh cream is added at the final step, and the dish should be brought to a boil once more before serving.
Can I substitute heavy cream with anything else?
Yes, the recipe suggests Half & Half as a suitable alternative for the fresh cream.
How is the paneer incorporated into the dish?
Fold the paneer cubes in gently after adding the peas to ensure they are evenly coated with the spice mixture.
What is the suggested side dish for this recipe?
It is recommended to serve this dish with fragrant basmati rice or buttery naan.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe calls for 3-4 finely chopped garlic cloves.
When should the salt be added?
Season the mixture with salt after the tomatoes have softened and continue frying for another 3 minutes.
How do I adjust the consistency of the gravy?
Pour in water to reach your desired gravy consistency and then bring the mixture to a boil.
What is the total ingredient count?
There are 19 distinct ingredients used in this recipe.
What category does this recipe fall under?
This recipe is categorized under 'Cheese'.
Is this a vegetarian dish?
Yes, this is a vegetarian dish as it uses paneer and peas as the primary proteins.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include makhani, mattar paneer, indian cuisine, vegetarian, rich gravy, and comfort food.
How long do you sauté the onion?
Sauté the red onion until it turns a golden brown color.
What should I do after adding the cream?
After adding the cream, allow the dish to boil once more and stir gently before serving.
How many bay leaves are required?
The recipe uses 2 whole bay leaves.
How many cardamom pods are used?
The recipe calls for 4 whole cardamom pods.