Matar Paneer/ Peas with Cottage Cheese Gravy

Wishing everyone happiness on the eve of Navarathri! This is one dish where my kids don't fuss about peas. They love it because it has paneer along with it. This is a simple side dish which is very easy to make and has loads of flavor in it. Also you can easily make it into either a curry or little drier side dish depending upon what you are having it with.
Fresh ingredients of Peas and Paneer can be used; I have just listed my quicker version.

Prep Time: 15 min| Cooking Time: 20 min| Serves: 4

Ingredients:

Frozen Peas - 1 Cup
Paneer/ Cottage Cheese Cubes - 1 Cup
Onion - 2 medium
Tomato - 3 medium
Ginger - 1 lemon size
Garlic - 5 pods
Chili Powder - 1 tbsp.
Chicken Masala Powder (optional) - 1 tsp.
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp.
Dry Mango Powder - 1 tsp.
Cinnamon stick - 2 inch.
Salt to taste
Oil - 1 tbsp.

Method of Preparation:

~ Blanch the tomatoes, remove skin and puree them. (See Note for blanching)
~ Puree onion and keep it aside.
~ Thaw frozen peas and microwave for about 4 minutes.
~ In a wide pan, heat oil and cinnamon stick. Fry until cinnamon leaves nice aroma.
~ Now add onion and some salt. Sauté until it's tender.
~ Add grated ginger and garlic, chili powder, dry mango powder, turmeric and chicken masala powder.
~ After frying for few minutes, add tomato puree and cook until it starts to leave the sides.
~ Add peas and cook until they are done.
~ Adjust the salt for this and lastly add paneer cubes and switch off once everything is boiled together.
~ Goes really well with Roti, Chapathi or Puri.

Note:
~ To blanch, boil some water so you can immerse the tomatoes. Once boiling add tomatoes for about 15 to 20 seconds. Remove and immediately immerse in cold water. By doing this, the skin comes out very easily.
~ I mostly use the frozen paneer blocks. To thaw, place the paneer block in boiling water for about 15 to 20 minutes. Then you can cut them easily and paneer comes out really fresh, without being rubbery.

Sending this to my Bon Vivant event - Bon Vivant #9 - Simply Sides.