Paneer Masala!

[Nida_Shaaz]

What's needed-



5-6 tomatoes, sliced
3 bay leaves
3 pods of cardamom, split three fourths of the way
2 stick cinnamon, about 1 inch in length
1 and 1/2 C of water
3 cloves
a paste made out of 3-4 pods of garlic, 1 and 1/2 inch of ginger ands 1 small onion
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 whole red chilli
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp chilli powder (more or less according to heat tolerance )
250 gms of paneer, cubed or cut into bite sized rectangular pieces
3/4 th tsp garam masala powder
salt to taste
2-3 tblsp of oil
some chopped, fresh coriander leaves to garnish (optional)

How to-


Boil the tomatoes in the water, along with 2 bay leaves, the cinnamon, cardamom and cloves.( Heavenly aromas at this stage...)

When the tomatoes are mushy, transfer them to a blender, along with all the juice and also all the whole spices ( including the bay leaves) in it, and make a smooth puree.
Heat the oil in a pan.
Add the cumin seeds, the third bay leaf and the whole red chilli.
When the seeds start to pop, add the onion-ginger-garlic paste and stir over medium heat till the paste is lightly browned and the raw smell has left it.
Add the tomato paste to the pan.( Watch out... there's going to be some serious spluttering around!)
Add the turmeric, cumin and chilli powders.
Simmer, covered over low heat, till the sauce loses it's watery texture ( approximately 10 minutes)
Add the paneer and simmer for another few minutes till the sauce has thickened and is bubbly.

Add the garam masala powder, season with salt, and simmer for another minute.
Remove from heat, garnish with the chopped coriander.
Serve hot with rotis or naans or as a side dish with rice.