Paneer Masala - A Paneer Dish Without Tomato

This is a typical North Indian preparation especially for people who want to avoid Tomatoes in their food. My mother has increased level of uric acid and thus tomatoes are totally forbidden for her. We avoid tomatoes in our daily cooking. Here is one of the simple no tomato Paneer gravy recipe which we cook often.

photo of
Ingredients: 
200 grams Paneer (Cottage Cheese) -
2 medium sized (chopped) Onion
Ginger and garlic paste - 1 and 1/2 tablespoon
Red chili paste - 1 tablespoon
Coriander Powder - 1 tablespoon
Cumin powder - 1/ 2 tablespoon
Black Pepper powder - 1/4 tablespoon
Garam masala powder - 1/2 tablespoon
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tablespoon
Salt - To taste
Oil - 4-5 tablespoon
Chopped coriander Leaves - for garnishing
Directions: 
Cut paneer into cubes and then keep aside.
Heat oil in a pan and add the cubed paneer. Saute them on high flame till they just start turning golden. Take out in a separate plate.
Afterwards, saute the chopped onions in the remaining oil till they turn golden brown.
Then add the ginger - garlic paste and red chili paste and continue to fry till the raw smell goes away.
Now comes all the dry powder masala, Coriander, cumin, black pepper, turmeric and garam masala. Turn the flame low and cook till the masala leaves oil from sides.
Finally combine paneer, masala, salt and 1/2 cup of water and cook it for 5-6 mintues.
Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with Naan or chappati
Footnotes: 
You may also add a 3 to 4 tbsp of cream at the end to make it into Maai paneer
Or just add a tsp for garnishing