Sana Thongba Recipe of Manipur | Manipuri Paneer Curry

Sana Thongba is a Manipuri recipe made by Paneer and peas. Paneer. In Manipuri language "Sana" means Paneer and "Thongba" means curry. this  Manipuri dish served in the traditional vegetarian feast called Ushop  of Metei tribe. This is almost  similar to North-Indian dish Matar paneer, but with very little or no spices. Another difference is that  milk is used to make the gravy of Sana Thongba instead of tomatoes, onion or garlic. Here is an easy recipe of without Onion and Garlic Sana Thongba (Manipuri Paneer Curry) :

If you like North-Indian dishes, here are some recipes for you:

1. Amritsari Fish Fry Recipe
2. Hariyali Chicken Recipe
3. Chicken Korma Recipe 
4. Murgh Musallam Recipe

Ingredients of Sana Thongba:

• 250-300 gms Paneer cubed (Indian cottage cheese)
• 1/2 Cup Green Peas
• 1 Cup Milk
• 1 Cup Water
• 1 tsp Nigella Seed /Kalonji
• 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger (you may take ginger paste also)
• 2-3 Bay Leaves
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp Chili powder
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp Oil
• 1 tbsp oil + 1 tbsp ghee (Clarified Butter) for shallow frying paneer

Instruction of Making Sana Thongba :

• Cut the Paneer into cubes.
• Add oil or ghee In a pan and shallow fry the paneer lightly until it become golden brown. After that set aside the fried paneer
• Now in that pan, add 1 tbsp oil. When the oil is hot, add  bay leaves, and nigella seeds and cook for 30-40 seconds.
• Add ginger and fry them on low heat for 30-40 seconds.
• Add green peas and saute for 2-3 minutes on low heat.
• Add turmeric and chili powder and cook for another 2-3 minutes or so.
• Now add milk, water and salt.
• Increase the heat now and bring the mix to boil.
• After the mix start boiling, reduce heat , add the paneer and simmer for 10-15 mins approximately or until the gravy thickens. 

Serving of Sana Thongba:

Serve Sana Thongba  with Rice. 

 Recipe Card

 Cuisine: Manipuri, Country: India, Course: Main Course, Cook Time: 20 minutes, Servings: 6 people