Paneer Peas Pie

Recipe No: 225

This is another recipe from my Mother in Law’s kitchen and don't be mislead by the name as the ingredient list shows its all Indian.  It is actually made with Paneer and Green Peas only, but as I was short on Green Peas I added some Potatoes too. So you can either use or avoid Potatoes as you wish.

Ingredients                                           Serves 4

For the Filling

• Paneer……………………….....200 grams (Fried and cubed)
• Oil………………………………..1 ½ Tablespoons
• Onion chopped fine…….....1 Cup
• Indian Green Chilly slit…..2
• Ginger Garlic Paste………..2 Teaspoons
• Turmeric Powder…………..1/4 Teaspoon
• Red Chilly Powder…………3/4 Teaspoon
• Coriander Powder………….1 ½ Teaspoons
• Garam Masala Powder……3/4 Teaspoon
• Tomato chopped…………….1/2 Large
• Fresh Peas………………….....1 ½ Cups (or use ¾ Cup Peas and ¾ cup cubed Potatoes)
• Coriander Leaves…………...2 Tablespoons (chopped)
• Salt as needed

To Make the White Sauce

• Butter/ Oil……………………...1 ½ Tablespoons
• All Purpose Flour/ Maida…1 Tablespoon
• Cold Milk…………………….….1 Cup
• Grated Cheese………………...1 Tablespoon (I used Parmesan, but Amul Cheese will work fine)
• Salt and Pepper powder to taste

To assemble the dish

• Grated Cheese………………….1 Tablespoon
• Bread Crumbs…………………1/2 Cup
• Oil/ Butter………………..…….1 Tablespoon

Method of Preparation

To make the Filling

1. Heat Oil in a pan on medium high heat and saute the Onion and Green Chilly till wilted.
2. Add Ginger Garlic paste and saute till the raw smell is gone.
3. Lower the heat and add Turmeric Powder, Red Chilly Powder, Coriander Powder and Garam Masala Powder; fry for a minute.
4. Add Tomato and saute till mashed and then add the Green Peas (and Potatoes if using) and a cup of Water.
5. Mix well, add Salt and let it cook on medium heat for 5 minutes before adding Paneer. Boil till all the Water is absorbed. 
6. Add Coriander Leaves; mix well and switch off the heat. Keep aside till ready to be used

To make the White Sauce

1. Heat Butter/ Oil in a pan on medium heat and add the Flour.
2. Fry it stirring constantly till a roasted smell comes.
3. Whisk in the cold Milk taking care to avoid lumps.
4. Once mixed well, stir it constantly till the sauce thickens. (The Sauce will coat the back of the spoon and a line drawn through it will remain like that rather than flowing back)
5. Switch off the heat and mix in Salt, Pepper Powder and Grated Cheese. Keep it aside till ready to be used.

To Assemble and bake the dish

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F/ 180˚C.
2. Spread 2-3 Tablespoons of White Sauce in the bottom of an 8 ½ X 6 inch oven proof dish  evenly and sprinkle a bit of Cheese on top.
3. Carefully layer the Whole Paneer Peas filling on top of this thin layer of White Sauce.
4. Pour the rest of the White Sauce on top of the filling evenly followed by a sprinkling of the rest of the Cheese.
5. Spread Crumbs on top of the Sauce evenly followed by a light drizzle of Oil.
6. Bake it in the preheated oven for 40 minutes or till the dish is bubbly and the Bread Crumbs becomes  light brown.
7. Serve warm with Bread.

Notes:

• Instead of frying the Paneer after cutting it into cubes, cut it into slabs and shallow fry it in 2 tablespoon Oil on both sides. Cut it into cubes afterward, this not only reduces the use of Oil but makes the job much easier too.
• If you are using dried Green Peas cook it partially before making this dish. But I prefer fresh frozen Peas in this recipe.
• You can make the filling and the sauce in advance and assemble and bake the dish whenever needed.
• If you try to serve the Pie piping hot, it may be a bit runny. But this will reduce as it cools.

Make it, enjoy the deliciousness and
serve it to your family with love…