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–+ servings

Instant Pot Matar Paneer

Aanchal Gupta
An all time favorite matar paneer thats made entirely in a pressure cooker/instant pot and comes together in under 25 minutes!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 15 oz/425 gms of Frozen or fresh peas I used frozen
  • 7 oz/200 gms of paneer cut into cubes(Use tofu for vegan option)
  • 2 cups diced onions/2 medium onion
  • 1 tbsp minced ginger
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 cups chopped tomato/1 large tomato
  • 1/3 cup canned tomato sauce/crushed tomato
  • 2 tsp coriander powder/dhania powder
  • 1/2 tsp red chili powder/lal mirch use more or less as per preference
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric/haldi powder
  • 1 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves/kasuri methi
  • 1/4 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds/jeera
  • 7 tbsp oil divided
  • salt as per taste I used about 1 1/2 tsp
  • 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream use cashew or almond milk for vegan option
  • 1 to 1/2 cup water as per preference on how thick you like the gravy

Instructions
 

  • Soak frozen peas in water and set aside for 1 hour to thaw,drain well and set aside
  • Turn IP to saute and put 6 tbsp oil
  • Add chopped onions and cook till they turn pink
  • Add ginger garlic and continue to cook till brown(if you think its sticking at bottom, put few drops of water)
  • Add chopped tomato and tomato sauce
  • Add turmeric,red chili powder,coriander powder,garam masala and salt and cook till oil separates
  • Let the onion tomato mix cool completely
  • Place the cooled mixture into a blender. Use 1/2 cup water to remove all the mix from the IP pot
  • Use that water to blend the onion tomato mix till smooth
  • Turn on the IP pot to saute and add 1 tbsp oil
  • Add cumin/jeera and cook till it crackles
  • Add the ground onion tomato mix,1 cup water, peas,paneer(tofu for vegans) and kasoori methi and bring to a boil
  • Press cancel, turn the tab to sealing and choose pressure cook for zero minutes
  • let pressure release naturally
  • Add cream and give one boil and serve immediately(cashew or almond milk for vegans)
  • Garnish with chopped cilantro, some fresh cream and a sprinkling of kasuri methi

Notes

I have used frozen peas as fresh peas are not available where I live. Pressure cooking at zero minutes means to manually choose the pressure cook option but not add any minutes. This is enough for the IP to build pressure and cook the peas as the peas get cooked very fast. Add at least one cup of water otherwise you will get the burn signal. Alternately, you can just bring it to a boil and cook till the peas are done. If using a traditional pressure cooker,give one whistle and release immediately.
Whipping cream gives good creamy texture. For a lighter version use milk. For vegan option use water or coconut milk.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!