How to Make Matar Paneer

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Last Updated: March 11, 2025

Matar paneer is a vegetarian dish from the north of India. The dish consists of peas and paneer in a tomato based sauce. It is spiced with garam masala. It is often served with rice or breads such as naan bread.

Ingredients

For Masala Paste

3 medium sized ripe tomatoes
1 Medium size onion
1 or 2 green chillies
1/2 an inch of ginger
2 to 3 cloves of garlic
Chopped coriander
10 to 12 cashew nuts
4 or 5 black pepper corns
2 or 3 cloves
1/2 inch of cinnamon
1 tsp of coriander seeds

For the Rest of the Dish

250 to 300 grams of paneer
1 cup of frozen or fresh peas
250ml to 315ml of water
Garam Masala
Red chilli powder
Cumin seeds
Turmeric powder
Cream
2 tbsp oil
Salt

Steps

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Grind together - there is no need to add water. Grind until not even a small piece of cashew is left.
Add cumin seeds and cook them until they splutter.

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Be careful while sauteing as it will splutter. If it splutters a lot, cover it partly with a pan lid. Mix it in. Saute for 15 minutes on a low flame.
Mix them in.
Saute well.
Saute well until they become soft.
7
Add water and salt and transfer the mixture to a pressure cooker. Cook for about 2 to 3 whistles. When the pressure drops on its own, open the lid.
- If it appears thin, simmer to thicken it until it approaches the desired consistency.
- If it appears too thick, add water, then simmer.
Cook till they are soft - don't overcook them as they can become hard.
Serve hot with chappatis, rice, or naan bread.