Methi Malai Mattar

Any Indian side-dish that has the term "malai" (meaning cream) is sure to be good. It is a very safe bet. A cream based sauce with spices and anything, will taste good. In this version, methi or fenugreek leaves are simmered in the sauce along with peas (mattar). Since I never have fresh fenugreek leaves on hand, I use the dried version - kasuri methi. And since my husband questions the absence of paneer in any gravy, I added some paneer too. Using this gravy as a base, you can add more paneer, remove fenugreek leaves (who needs green leaves), and end up with mattar paneer.

Ingredients (serves 4):

1. 1.5 tablespoons oil
2. 1 teaspoon jeera / cumin seeds
3. 1 onion, chopped
4. 1 tomato, chopped
5. 2 tablespoons tomato paste
6. 1/2 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste (grind/crush together some garlic and ginger)
7. 1 teaspoon cumin powder
8. 1 teaspoon dhania powder
9. 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
10. 1 teaspoon garam masala
11. 3/4 teaspoon salt or as needed
12. 1 teaspoon sugar
13. 1/3 cup kasuri methi / dried fenugreek leaves / or fresh leaves
14. 1.5 cups peas
15. 1.75 cups milk (low fat is good) / cream
16. 1 cup cubed paneer (optional)
17. 1/4 cup chopped cilantro / coriander leaves

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a medium sauce-pan. Add cumin seeds/jeera to the oil and wait for it to sizzle. Add onion and fry until translucent. 
2. Add ginger-garlic paste and fry for 30 seconds or so until the garlic doesn't smell raw.
3. Add turmeric powder, cumin powder, dhania powder, and garam masala and fry for another 30 seconds. 
4. Add tomato and saute on medium heat until soft. Add tomato paste and stir it well and wait for it to cook until some of the oil releases from the tomato paste.
5. Add kasuri methi or fresh fenugreek leaves (methi) and saute for 2 minutes.
6. Add 1.5 cups milk, close the pan and let the gravy cook and boil for 10  minutes.
7. Add peas and 1/4 cup milk and simmer for another 10 minutes.
8. Add paneer cubes, a teaspoon of sugar and mix well.

Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.  Serve with warm rotis or parathas!