To begin with heat 2 tsp oil in a pan on medium flame. Add onion and fry for 1-2 minutes. Then add ginger garlic paste and saute for a while. Next add green chillies, tomatoes and salt. Cook for 2-3 minutes till tomatoes turn soft. Turn off the flame. Let the onion-tomato mixture cool down a bit and then blend it to a fine puree without adding water. Keep it aside.

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan and gently stir fry the paneer cubes till light golden. Remove and keep aside.

In the same pan heat the remaining oil. Add cinnamon, bay leaf and cumin seeds. Saute till they are aromatic.

Then pour the above prepared onion-tomato puree. Add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder and cumin powder. Saute all of these for a couple of minutes until the mixture comes together and turns thick. Keep stirring often till oil starts to ooze out from the sides.

Next add the green peas and saute for 2-3 minutes.

Then add 1 cup of water and mix well. Season with salt. Cook covered for 4-5 minutes

Now add the fried paneer cubes. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook till the gravy thickens.

Finally add the garam masala powder and chopped coriander leaves. Cover and turn off the flame.

Matar Paneer is ready for being served hot with roti, naan or rice.