Pressure Cooker Matar Paneer Masala

Easy Matar Paneer Masala (Indian cottage cheese and green peas in spicy curry) is a quick and fast way to enjoy your favorite paneer in under 15 minutes!!  Made in a pressure cooker (Indian stove top pressure cooker or Instant Pot) it is a one-pot dish; no frying, no sauteing, no waiting for spices to sizzle or crackle!!

It comes out so tasty, my whole family loved it and I even had a small bowl of it for a mid afternoon snack!!

I love paneer and any dish with it!! My kids too love it and now that they are not at home, paneer dishes are rarely made!!  But today, I decided to make a quick paneer vegetable dish with our afternoon lunch with chapattis ,as I had some paneer leftover in the refrigerator which I needed to finish.

While browsing the internet, I used to come across lots of recipes which are quick and easy (my way!), and was fascinated by OPOS recipes, the rage all over the internet in India!! So I decided to try making my version of matar paneer this way.

This quick and fast method uses a pressure pan or cooker. The only extra step is making the onion-tomato paste. Just layer the spices and rest of the ingredients, close the pan and give one or two whistles and your favorite creamy paneer is ready in minutes!!

Updated August 2019 using an Instant Pot too!

With the instant pot all the rage in many parts of the world, I decided to make this super easy Pressure Cooker Matar Paneer in my Instant Pot and I was totally amazed! No compromise on taste, just heavenly and so, so easy to make!

Easy Pressure Cooker Matar Paneer goes great with rotis, chapattis, naan (or any Indian flatbread), toasted bread and sometimes my way, with rice too!!

For a vegan option, use cubes of potatoes instead of paneer!

So the next time you need to enjoy paneer in a hurry or want to impress your loved ones with your cooking prowess, make my version of quick matar paneer; be it the humble Indian pressure cooker on stove top or the electric pressure cooker - Instant Pot!!

Lets rustle up a quick and easy Matar Paneer Curry shall we?

STEP-WISE INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE MATAR PANEER MASALA:

PRESSURE COOKER METHOD:

First make the tomato-onion paste:

• Add the ingredients for masala paste in a blender jar.

• Blend all ingredients to a fine paste; add a bit of water if needed.

To make the paneer curry:

• Take a pressure pan. Heat the pan.
• Now start layering the ingredients.
• First spread oil, then sprinkle the whole spices (cumin, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaf).

• Then spread the sliced onions.

• Top with the onion-tomato paste.  Spread it. Wash the blender jar (in which the paste was made) with a little water and add to the pan.

• Sprinkle the dry spice powders on top (chilli powder, garam masala powder, turmeric  and coriander powder).

• Spread the chopped vegetables and paneer on top and add salt to taste along with sugar.

• Close the pressure pan; add a dash of water if needed, just enough to cook and avoid burning.
• Pressure cook on high for 2 whistles.
• Turn off the heat, remove from heat and let cool.
• Once the pressure drops, open the pan.

• Mix gently, stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons of cream (optional) and heat through again on medium low to blend all the spices and flavors!!

INSTANT POT METHOD:

• Turn the pot to saute mode.
• Add oil to the inner pot. Now, sprinkle the dry whole spices.
• Next layer the sliced onions on top.
• Gently spoon the onion-tomato paste on top of the onions and sprinkle the dry spice powders (haldi, red chili powder, garam masala powder and coriander powder) over it.
• Spread the chopped vegetables and paneer cubes on top of the tomato paste.
• Add salt to taste and a dash of water if needed, just enough to cover the ingredients; do not add too much. Give the mixture a mix.

• Cancel the saute button.
• Pressure cook on high for 2 minutes and then release pressure manually.
• Once the pin drops, open the pot, stir well and adjust salt and consistency if needed.
• You could add cream, but this is optional.
• Garnish with coriander leaves or kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves) and serve hot with rotis, naans, parathas (Indian flatbreads) or you can even enjoy this simple quick and easy paneer dish with toasted bread!!

• Enjoy and Happy Eating!

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Try similar easy and quick curries like:

• Puri with Aloo Raswala
• Quick and Simple Tomato Curry
• Tadkewali Masoor Dal

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