GREEN PEAS GREEN MASALA
Green Peas is always considered a delicacy. When there is a dinner or lunch party at home we make sure that at least one green peas dish is included in the menu. Be it Bisibelebath or Pulao, Green Peas blend very well with any and every rice dish.They lend a fresh and colourful touch to cabbage, carrot or even a simple beans Porial. Peas and mixed vegetable koottu is utterly delicious.With the addition of Peas the simple Rava Upma and Aval Upma acquire a special status. My sister often makes a tasty and creamy soup using Green Peas.Who does not enjoy peas in masala gravies like Aloo Matar, Gobi Matar, and the most popular Matar Paneer? The gravies for all the aforesaid masalas are red in colour as red chllies, chilly powder and tomatoes are used in the preparation. These masalas can be termed as Green Peas in Red Gravy. Green Peas can also be served in a flavoursome Green Gravy by using herbs and green chillies which is pleasing not only to the eye but also to the palate.
INGREDIENTS
Green Peas - 2 cups
Chopped Coriander - 2 cups (loosely packed)
Mint leaves (Pudina) - 2 cups (loosely packed)
Fresh ginger (grated) - 2 tbsp
Chopped onion - 2 cups
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Green chillies - 4
Cashew nuts - 10
Salt - 1 1/2 tsp
Cloves - 4
Cardamoms - 2
Cinnamon - 1'' piece
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
Lemon juice - 1 tbsp or to taste (Optional)
Sesame oil - 2 tbsps
METHOD
1. Boil green peas in enough water adding a pinch of salt and keep aside along with the water used for cooking.
2. Wash and chop the herbs and discard thick fibrous stems.
3. Grind together the chopped coriander, mint, onion, ginger, green chillies, cumin seeds and cashew nuts together into a fine paste adding little water if necessary.
4. Heat oil in a pan and splutter cloves, cardamom and cinnamon.
5. Add the finely ground green masala paste and saute till it emanates a very pleasant aroma and till the oil separates. Keep stirring on low flame so that the paste does not turn brown.
6. Remove 2 tbsps of boiled peas and keep aside, and pour the remaining peas along with the water into the green masala.
7. Blend the 2 tbsps of cooked peas into a fine paste and add it to the gravy.
8. Add garam masala and salt and cook till the Green Peas Green Masala thickens to the desired consistency.
9. Switch off flame and mix in the lemon juice if desired.
Enjoy the flavoursome Green Peas Green Masala with rotis or plain Basmati rice.
Comments
Cheers.