Kadhai Matar (Spicy Green Peas Curry)

Going by my darling daughter’s favourites, and to ensure that she eats without much fuss, I try to use Matar (Peas in English) in most of my curries. On these lines, Kadhai Matar (Green Peas curry) is a very quick, easy, nutritious and a real tasty curry. This triggered last night in my kitchen when my little angel asked me as to what I was preparing; I posed a question to her instead asking what does she wants. And the reply was “I want to eat Matar” 🙂 The usual Matar Paneer immediately came to my mind, but I was in not really in the mood to eat Paneer; and thereby the idea came to me to make a Matar/Peas only curry – and here I present the output as “Kadhai Matar”.

I believe I have shared this fact before – my 2.5 year old little angel is very fond of green peas; hence I often use green peas in curries like Matar Paneer, Tomato-Pea curry, Carrot-Pea curry, Methi Matar, Bhaigan Bharta, cabbage, cauliflower etc.

Green Peas are very nutritious as they are an excellent source of phytonutrients with anti-oxidant properties. They help in neutralizing the free radicals in the body, thereby reducing blood vessel damage and accumulation of cholesterol in the artery walls. As a result, the risk of development and progression of atherosclerosis, stroke, heart disease, and arthritis are lowered to great extents.
Green Peas are enriched with Vitamins A, C, and E, B, folate and minerals; are a good source of protein and dietary fibres, and helps in boosting immunity. This is just a synopsis of the many good points of Peas 🙂

So let’s get this nutritious thing started up.

The ingredients for making Kadhai Matar are :
1. Peas : 2 cup (Frozen or Boiled)
2. Tomato : 3 (finely chopped)
3. Dried Whole Red Chilli : 1-2
4. Ginger : 1/2 tsp
5. Garlic : 1.5 tsp
6. Green Chilli : 2 (finely chopped)
7. Red Chilli Powder : 1/2 tsp
8. Coriander Powder : 1 tsp
9. Garam Masala : 3/4 tsp
10. Lemon juice : 1 tsp
11. Dried Fenugreek Leaves (Kasuri Methi) : 1 Tbsp
12. Fenugreek seeds (Dana Methi) : 1/4 tsp
13. Fresh Coriander Leaves : 2 Tbsp
14. Salt : to taste
15. Oil : 3 Tbsp

Method :

Heat oil in the pan and temper with fenugreek seeds, and dried whole red chilli; sauté till the fenugreek seeds become golden brown in colour.

Now add garlic, ginger and sauté for another minute. Then add garam masala, red chilli powder, coriander powder and sauté for a minute on medium flame (so that spices do not get burn).

Now add lemon juice, and chopped tomatoes; sauté and cook for 4-5 minutes until the tomatoes get mushy and cooked.

Add peas, salt and cook for further 2-3 minutes. Then add dried fenugreek leaves, green chilli, coriander leaves; mix well and cook covered for 2 minutes. Your very healthy, spicy, tasty Kadai Matar is ready to be served !

You can serve this Kadhai Matar with Chapati, Parantha, Naan or rice. Even though I made it a bit spicy, my sweet angel (the real fussy eater) loved it and finished her dinner very quickly 🙂

Insider Tips / Finer Points :

• You may adjust spices according to your taste buds.

• If you like, you may add cardamom (crushed) after adding the green peas.

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