Indian Cheese (Paneer) with Green Peas

You can serve paneer with green peas as a side dish or as a vegetarian main course.

Ingredients:

2 cups hard Indian paneer cheese, diced
5 tablespoons vegetable oil or 5 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1⁄4 - 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 cup diced tomatoes, with juice
1⁄2 cup water
1 ½ cups frozen green peas, thawed
1⁄2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

1. Heat 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large frying pan. Fry the paneer in batches (not all at once). Add more oil if necessary. Fry until the paneer is lightly browned. Drain the browned paneer cubes on a paper towel.
2. Heat 3 tablespoons of oil (or ghee) in a large frying pan. Fry the onion, ginger and garlic (until the onion softens, about 3-5 minutes).
3. Add the coriander, cumin, salt, turmeric and cayenne pepper. Fry until the spices are fragrant (1-2 minutes).
4. Add the tomatoes and fry for 2-3 minutes (stirring once or twice).
5. Add the browned paneer, water and peas. Bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the sauce is thick and smooth.
7. Garnish with cilantro before serving.

Yield: 4 servings
Recipe: food.com