Peas masala/ Mattar masala

  Peas masala is a Punjabi dish made with peas in a creamy sauce. I tried yogurt instead of heavy cream. Believe me the taste is heavenly!

Serves up to 3-4 people
Preparation time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup of  sweet peas
1 green bell pepper (capsicum)
2 large onions
3 medium sized tomatoes
3 cloves of garlic
1 inch of ginger
1 tsp of red chilly powder(~spice level)
1 tsp of garam masala (MTR brand) 
1/4 tsp of turmeric
1/4 cup of yogurt
2 tbsp of butter
coriander for garnish
salt as required

Preparation:

1.Heat 1 tbsp of butter in the pan. To the melted butter, add roughly chopped onions, garlic, ginger and saute for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and saute till the tomatoes are wilted.
2.Allow them to cool and grind them in to a paste. Heat 1 tbsp of butter in the skillet and add the chopped green bell pepper and saute for 2 minutes. I added green bell pepper to give some crunchiness to the masala. 
3.Then add the peas, turmeric, red chilly powder and garam masala. 
Saute for a minute and add the ground paste and half cup of water. Close the lid and allow it to cook for 15-20 minutes.
4.Switch off the flame and mix the yogurt. Add coriander for garnish. Serve with roti.

Mattar paneer masala/ Peas paneer masala

   Mattar Paneer Masala is a very popular North Indian food. This curry is prepared with vine ripened tomatoes and  green peas. The paneer cheese cubes are added for stir frying.

Serves up to 3 people
Preparation time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

150 grams of paneer
1 fistful of sweet peas
1 tsp of red chilly powder
1/4 tsp of turmeric
1 tsp of coriander powder
1 tsp of garam masala (MTR brand)
250 grams of crushed tomatoes can/ 3 large tomatoes
1 1/2 tbsp of butter
salt as required

Grinding:

10 cashew nuts
1 inch of ginger
3 cloves of garlic
2 green chillies

Preparation:

1.Cut the paneer in to small cubes. Grind cashews, ginger, garlic and green chilly together in to a paste. 
2.In a skillet, add butter. Once the butter is melted, add the ground paste and saute for 2-3 minutes. Now add the crushed tomatoes and cook in high flame. Stir well for 15 minutes. 
3.Add the spices (turmeric, red chilly powder, coriander powder and garam masala) to the skillet. Saute for 5 minutes. 
4.Add the peas and paneer and cook in low flame. Bring it to boil. Serve with roti/ naan.