Aloo Matar Paneer Optional Food

ALOO MATAR PANEER (SIMMERED POTATOES WITH PEAS AND PANEER)

Steps:

• Place garlic and ginger in a blender or food processor; puree until smooth.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir bay leaves, cinnamon stick, coriander seeds, peppercorns, cardamom pods, and cloves in hot oil until spices change color and become fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook and stir until onion has softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir garlic-ginger puree and green chile pepper into onion mixture; cook and stir until chile pepper is tender, 1 to 2 minutes more. Stir in tomatoes. If mixture becomes too thick, add water. Season with chili powder and cumin. Remove tomato mixture from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes.
• Transfer mixture to the blender or food processor; puree until smooth. Pour sauce into a saucepan and add butter and fenugreek.
• Bring sauce to a simmer over medium heat and stir in potatoes. Simmer until potatoes are nearly tender, 10 to 15 minutes; add paneer and frozen peas. Continue to simmer until potatoes and peas are tender, about 5 minutes more. Stir in honey and remaining 1 teaspoon salt.

ALOO MATAR RECIPE | ALOO MUTTER

Steps:

• Wash and chop onions and tomatoes. Puree tomatoes if you do not like them chopped.
• Also wash and peel potatoes. Cube them to 1 inch pieces. Keep them immersed in water until used.
• Heat oil in a cooker, pan or kadai. Saute cumin till they begin to crackle.
• Add chopped onions, green chili and fry until lightly golden or pink.
• Next put in the ginger garlic paste and saute until the raw smell disappears.
• Add tomato puree and saute for 2 mins.
• Next add chili powder, garam masala, coriander powder, turmeric and salt.
• Saute until oil begins to separate from the masala.
• Add potatoes and peas. Saute for 2 mins.
• Add water just enough to cover the potatoes. Cook covered on a low to medium heat.
• Stir in between a few times, cook until the potatoes turn soft. You can adjust the consistency by adding more water as needed.
• If making in pressure cooker then, allow to whistle twice on a medium heat.
• Add kasuri methi and mix well. Adjust salt if needed.
• Serve aloo matar with rice or roti.
• Chop the potatoes to 1 inch pieces. Press saute button on the instant pot and pour oil to the steel insert.
• When the oil turns hot, add cumin seeds. As soon as they begin to splutter, add chopped onions and saute until light golden.
• Then stir in the ginger garlic and saute for 30 to 60 seconds. Then add tomato puree and mix well.
• Add all the spice powders - red chilli powder, turmeric, garam masala, coriander powder and salt.
• Saute for a few minutes until the masala smells aromatic. (For a more authentic version you may saute this till the masala turns thick and aromatic. For this you have to switch over to saute low and saute.)
• Then pour 1 cup of water for 2 cups of cubed potatoes. After pouring water scrape the bottom of the steel insert with a spatula to deglaze. Add peas. (If using frozen peas that are too tender, add them later once the curry is done. Simmer for a few minutes.)
• Secure the Instant pot lid with the steam release handle set to sealing.
• Press pressure cook button (high pressure) & set the timer to 4 minutes. When the IP is done, do a quick release by moving the steam release valve from sealing to venting.
• Add kasuri methi. Stir and taste test. Add more garam masala and salt if you prefer. For a thicker consistency you can also cook it on a saute mode for 1 minute.
• Garnish aloo matar with coriander leaves. Serve aloo matar with rice or roti.
• If you are a beginner check the video on my potato curry post.

ALOO MATAR (PANEER OPTIONAL)

Steps:

• Heat oil in pressure cooker if you have one. If not, any pot/pan will do.
• Add onions and stir constantly until slightly brown.
• Add garlic and ginger to onions and stir constantly until mixture is brown.
• Add tomatoes and green chili to mixture and stir constantly for 3-5 minutes (if you find the mixture sticking to the pan, add a few tablespoons of water).
• Add salt, turmeric, black pepper, paprika, red chili, and garam masala, stir for 30 seconds.
• Add potatoes and peas (and paneer, if using) and stir for 2 minutes.
• Add cup of water and stir until water mixed in
• Close pressure cooker and cook for 1 whistle, take off burner, release pressure (or cover pot/pan and cook for 10-15 minutes (until potatoes cooked), stirring occasionally to prevent food from sticking to bottom of pot/pan).
• Garnish with cilantro (coriander).
• Serve hot with basmati rice or roti and cucumber raita. Enjoy!