![Matar Paneer](http://india1948.com/cdn/shop/articles/Matar_Paneer_14_1000x.jpg?v=1680108165)
45 Min
GF
Matar Paneer
In the eighties when I first arrived in North America, every Indian restaurant had Matar paneer, an old-world dryish peas and paneer curry along with saag paneer as an essential part of the menu. Invented during the royal Mughal era of India, yet not a part of home-cooking repertoire, this went on to become standard restaurant fare. I seldom made it, very rarely ordered it at a restaurant and certainly never served it at my places. Fast forward to this spring when I was walking through the newly renovated farmer’s market on Airline drive, I spotted a woman sitting in the back of the store shelling fresh pea pods. I purchased a few packages of fresh peas from her, came home and started cooking peas the way I remember them from back home, always fresh, never frozen. In rice, as a stuffing for potato cakes or samosas and with eggs for breakfast. And I finally made Matar paneer and realized why it was such a popular dish ~ because it was so tasty and satisfying. So, here is a decadent rendition of it, with cashews and raisins. Enjoy it with a warm roti or paratha or over plain rice.
In the eighties when I first arrived in North America, every Indian restaurant had Matar paneer, an old-world dryish peas and paneer curry along with saag paneer as an essential part of the menu. Invented during the royal Mughal era of India, yet not a part of home-cooking repertoire, this went on to become standard restaurant fare. I seldom made it, very rarely ordered it at a restaurant and certainly never served it at my places. Fast forward to this spring when I was walking through the newly renovated farmer’s market on Airline drive, I spotted a woman sitting in the back of the store shelling fresh pea pods. I purchased a few packages of fresh peas from her, came home and started cooking peas the way I remember them from back home, always fresh, never frozen. In rice, as a stuffing for potato cakes or samosas and with eggs for breakfast. And I finally made Matar paneer and realized why it was such a popular dish ~ because it was so tasty and satisfying. So, here is a decadent rendition of it, with cashews and raisins. Enjoy it with a warm roti or paratha or over plain rice.
![Matar Paneer](http://india1948.com/cdn/shop/articles/Matar_Paneer_14_1000x.jpg?v=1680108165)
45 Minutes
6
![](http://india1948.com/cdn/shop/files/citrus_1000x.png?v=1683004835&13332)
Notes & Variations
- Replace the paneer for tofu for dairy-free version of the curry and replace ghee and heavy cream with olive oil and coconut milk respectively.
- If using fresh tomatoes, use 2 cups chopped tomatoes.
- In the absence of garam masala, use a combination of ground cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, and nutmeg with a hint of clove.
![](http://india1948.com/cdn/shop/files/citrus_1000x.png?v=1683004835&13332)
Notes & Variations
- Replace the paneer for tofu for dairy-free version of the curry and replace ghee and heavy cream with olive oil and coconut milk respectively.
- If using fresh tomatoes, use 2 cups chopped tomatoes.
- In the absence of garam masala, use a combination of ground cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, and nutmeg with a hint of clove.
Tags:
![](http://india1948.com/cdn/shop/files/pomegranate_1000x.png?v=1683002000&13332)
Stock Your Pantry
Tags:
![](http://india1948.com/cdn/shop/files/pomegranate_1000x.png?v=1683002000&13332)
Stock Your Pantry
![](http://india1948.com/cdn/shop/products/MasalaDabbaSpread2_7e1ce8b0-9206-4a09-92e6-564d3c7c334b_1000x.jpg?v=1668195405)
![](http://india1948.com/cdn/shop/products/SpiceMasalaDabba4_6926d91d-695f-4e7f-8971-33b7d9d914a8_1000x.jpg?v=1668195354)
![](http://india1948.com/cdn/shop/products/GaramMasalaTin1_1000x.jpg?v=1680813831)
![](http://india1948.com/cdn/shop/files/Ghee2_1000x.jpg?v=1685309572)
![](http://india1948.com/cdn/shop/products/GheePot8_1000x.jpg?v=1685226769)
![](http://india1948.com/cdn/shop/files/Matar_Paneer_15_1000x.jpg?v=1680107952)
Paneer aka Indian Cheese
Indulgent paneer curries here to hit the spot!
THEY'RE BOTH SO DELICIOUS
![](http://india1948.com/cdn/shop/files/mango_1000x.png?v=1683002000&13332)