Methi Paneer

Tried out this recipe yesterday and it turned out great.
It’s like winning a competition for me as hubby is very particular about his dishes and taste.
What I liked most is the simplicity which brings the ability to make this dish a part of our regular fare. I am always on the lookout for tasty but not overly elaborate recipes.
This one fits that model great.



This tantalizing recipe is full of minerals and proteins.
The way the gravy is cooked, the fenugreek leaves stand up and shine in this recipe.

Ingredients:

Paneer/ Cottage cheese - 200 gms, cut into cubes
Onion - 3-4 small-medium, chopped
Crushed/minced ginger and garlic - 2 tbsp
Chopped tomato - 1 cup
Green chilli - 3, chopped
Bay leaves 2
Cinnamon Stick - 1 inch
Turmeric powder - ½ tsp
Coriander powder - 2 tsp
Pepper powder - ¼ tsp
Cumin powder - ¼ tsp
Garam masala - 1 tspn
Fresh methi leaves (chopped) - 1 ½ cup
Coriander and mint leaves - 1 tbsp each, chopped
Water - ½ - ¾ cup
Salt
Oil
Fresh Cream (optional)


Method:

1. Grind the half of the chopped onion, ginger, garlic and green chillies to a paste. 
2. Heat oil in a pan and lightly fry the paneer. Keep it aside.
3. In same pan heat the oil, add the bay leaves and cinnamon stick.
4. Add rest onions and sauté for three to four minutes or till it just starts turning brown.
5. Add onion-ginger-garlic-chilli paste. Fry for 2-3 mins or till oil releasing from the sides of the mixture.
6. Add the chopped tomatoes. Stir and saute the tomatoes till they soften.
7. Add all the powders except garam masala. Cook them for 2-3 mins, till oil starts appearing. 
8. Add 2 tbsp hot water to bring together the masala.
9. Add chopped methi.
10. Simmer for 6-7 minutes or more till the methi is cooked. Season with salt. The gravy or sauce will also thicken by now.
11. Stir and add garam masala powder.
12. Stir again and then add the lightly fried paneer/cottage cheese cubes.
13. Stir gently and simmer on a low flame till the paneer cubes become soft and succulent. about 1 to 2 minutes.
14. (Optional) Lastly add cream. stir gently again so that the cream gets incorporated in the methi paneer gravy uniformly. Switch off the flame.

Stir and serve the methi paneer hot with some rotis, naan or jeera rice.

NOTE:

1. Shallow fry paneer cubes until light brown and add in curry for richer experience of paneer methi.
2. Add 2 tablespoons fresh milk cream in step-14 to make creamier methi paneer.
3. Add 1/3 cup boiled peas to make yet another heavenly and healthy variation.