Matar Paneer

These days I am including Tofu (replacement for Paneer) in our daily food to get required protein and calcium; Tofu is low in fat, excellent source of high quality protein, is rich in B-vitamins and contains a lot of calcium;

We usually get fresh peas from the farmers market, so I have prepared delicious Matar Paneer by using Peas n tofu to serve it with chapathi for our evening dinner; Curry came out very good, hope you like it;

 Ingredients:

1.    Tofu, cut into cubes – 1 lb

2.    Peas – ½ lb

3.    Onion, cut into cubes – 1

4.    Green Chillies – 3

5.    Ginger Garlic Paste – 1 tbsp

6.    Tomatoes, finely chopped - 2

7.    Salt, to taste

8.    Chili powder – ½ tbsp

9.    Turmeric – ¼ tbsp

10. Coriander powder – 1 tbsp

11. Kasuri Methi – 1 tbsp

12. Water – 1 cup

13. Cooking oil – 2 tbsp

14. Half&Half – 3 tbsp

15. Cilantro – 2 tbsp

Method:

1.    Take a heavy bottomed pan, heat 1tbsp oil, add tofu and fry for couple of mins until tofu turns light golden brown; Transfer tofu into plate;

2.    Add remaining oil to the pan, add green chillies and onions; Sauté for couple of mins until onions turn soft;

3.    Add ginger garlic paste, mix well and cook for 2 mins;

4.    Add tomatoes, stir it and cook for 6 mins until tomatoes turn soft;

5.    Reduce flame, add turmeric, salt, chilli powder, coriander powder and mix well; Cover with lid and cook for 3 mins;

6.    Turn-off stove, allow these mix to cool and grind to a fine paste;

7.    Transfer the grinded paste to same pan, add cup of water and allow it to boil;

8.    Add green peas and cook for 8 mins;

9.    Add Tofu, kasuri methi and cook for 5 mins;

10. Add half&half and allow it to cook for another 5 mins or until you get desired curry consistency;

11. Turn-off stove and garnish with cilantro;

Notes:

1.    Even if you do not fry tofu (step1 that I mentioned above) that will be fine; Sometimes I don’t fry tofu and jus directly adds;

2.    Allow curry to sit for sometime before serving, this makes the gravy thick;

3.    If you do not have half&half handy, you can replace it with Malai;