सोया मेथी मटार - Soya Methi matar

Soya Methi Malai in English

वेळ: ४० मिनीटे
वाढणी: ३ जणांसाठी

साहित्य:
दीड कप मेथीची पाने, बारीक चिरून (महत्त्वाची टीप क्र १)
पाउण कप सोया चंक्स
१/२ कप मटार (फ्रोझन)
फोडणीसाठी १ टेस्पून तेल, २ चिमटी जिरे, १/८ टीस्पून हळद, १ टीस्पून आले-मिरचीची पेस्ट, १ टीस्पून लाल तिखट
२ टीस्पून किचन किंग मसाला
१/४ ते १/२ कप हेव्ही क्रीम
चवीपुरते मीठ
सजावटीसाठी २ टेस्पून बारीक चिरलेला टोमेटो

कृती:
१) मेथी धुवून बारीक चिरून घ्यावी. सोया चंक्स गरम पाण्यात ५ मिनिटे भिजवून ठेवावेत. गरम पाणी काढून टाकावे आणि गार पाणी घालावे. २ मिनिटानंतर सोया चंक्स हाताने घट्ट पिळून घ्यावे. हे सोया चंक्स सुरीने थोडे लहान तुकडे होतील इतपत बारीक करावे.
२) कढईत तेल गरम करावे. त्यात जिरे आणि आले-मिरचीची पेस्ट घालून थोडावेळ परतावे. नंतर कांदा, हळद, लाल तिखट, आणि २ चिमटी मीठ घालावे. कांदा लालसर होईस्तोवर परतावे.
३) मटार घालून २ मिनिटे परतावे. नंतर सोया चंक्स आणि मेथीची घालून परतावे. २ मिनिटे झाली कि किचन किंग मसाला घालावा. आता मेथी कोरडी होईस्तोवर झाकण न ठेवता परतावे. चव पाहुन मीठ आणि इतर मसाले लागतील तसे घालावे.
४) मेथी शिजली कि आच एकदम कमी करावी. आणि गरजेनुसार हेव्ही क्रीम घालावे आणि ढवळावे म्हणजे क्रीम फुटणार नाही. आच एकदम कमी असावी.
क्रीम घातल्यावर जास्त उकळवू नये त्यामुळे क्रीम भाजीत फुटण्याचा संभव असतो.
गरमागरम भाजी तोमतो ने सजवून पोळी किंवा रोटी/नान बरोबर सर्व्ह करावी.

टीपः
१) मेथीचा कडवटपणा कमी करायचा असेल तर चिरलेली मेथी मिठाच्या पाण्यात थोडावेळ भिजवून ठेवावी. नंतर पिळून काढावी आणि वापरावी. पण यामध्ये जीवनसत्वांचा नाश होतो. त्यामुळे कडवटपणा अगदीच नको असेल तर हि पद्धत अवलंबावी.
२) सोया चंक्स ऐवजी सोय ग्रानुअल्स वापरले तरीही चालतील.
३) या भाजीत जर मटार घालायचे नसतील तर फक्त सोया चंक्स आणि मेथी अशी सुद्धा भाजी करता येईल.
४) किचन किंग मसाल्या ऐवजी गरम मसाला वापरला तरीही छान चव येते. फक्त थोडा कमी मसाला घालावा.

Khoya matar paneer

khoya matar paneer in Marathi

Time: 35 to 40 minutes
Serves: 2 to 3 persons

Ingredients:
3/4 cup green peas (Frozen)
3/4 cup Khoya, roasted
150 grams Paneer, small cubes (Tip 1)
3/4 cup tomato puree (Tip 2)
1/2 cup milk/ water
1 tsp Ghee
1 small piece of ginger, finely grated
1/2 tsp red chili powder
1/4 tsp cumin seeds (Optional)
1 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
7-8 cashews, (reserve few for garnishing)
1 tbsp golden raisins + few more raisins for garnishing
1 tsp sugar
salt to taste
Whole spices - 1 bay leaf, 2-3 cloves, 3-4 Pepper corns, 2 green cardamom, 1 small stick of Cinnamon or 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder (Tip 4)

Method:
1) Heat a skillet. Lightly roast the whole spices. Cloves will puff up and cardamom will pop open. Grind the spices to fine powder.
2) Heat ghee in a pan. Add cashew-nuts, cumin, ginger and tomato puree. Cover the pan and cook for couple of minutes.
3) Add khoya and mix well. Try to break as many lumps as you can. However, tiny lumps and grainy texture are expected. Saute until well blended.
4) Add peas and water/milk. Mix well, cover and cook for 4-5 minutes.
5) Now add coriander-cumin powder, sugar, red chili powder, raisins and salt. Cook for couple of minutes.
6) Finally add paneer cubes. Mix well and cook for couple more minutes.
Serve hot.

Tips:
1) When using store bought paneer, cut into cubes. Immerse them into hot water for 2 minutes. Paneer will become soft and there won't be any need to deep fry.
2) If tomatoes are not enough sour, add very little amchoor powder.
3) Mix the gravy well after adding milk to avoid curdling.
4) If using cinnamon powder, do not roast it. Add directly along-with coriander-cumin powder.

Mushroom Mutter Curry

Mushroom Matar in Marathi

Serves: 2 to 3 persons
Time: 30 to 35 minutes

Ingredients:
12 to 15 Button Mushrooms (medium size)
1/2 to 3/4 cup Green peas
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp red chili powder
1/2 cup Onion paste
3/4 cup tomato puree
2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
Garam Masala - 2 cardamoms, 2 cloves, 1/2 inch cinnamon, 4 pepper corn
1/2 tsp Garam masala powder
2 to 3 tbsp cream or evaporated milk
Salt to taste

Method:
1) Heat a wok or a pan. Add garam masala Ingredients, except cardamom. Dry roast for a minute. Make a fine powder (I used mortar and pestle). Thinly slice the mushrooms.
2) Heat the pan. Add butter and let it melt. Add fine powder of Garam Masala and cardamom. Saute for few seconds and then add onion paste, ginger-garlic paste and red chili powder.
3) Saute the onion paste until color turns to golden brown. Add tomato puree. Cover and cook for couple of minutes. Now introduce green peas. Cover the pan and let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes over medium heat. Add little water if required. Also mix in the salt and readymade garam masala powder.
4) Once peas are cooked nicely, add sliced mushroom. Let the mushroom cook for couple of minutes. Turn off the heat and add cream. Stir nicely till the cream incorporates in the curry.
Serve this delectable curry with any Indian bread.

Methi Matar Malai

Methi malai matar in Marathi

Time: 45 minutes
Serves: 2 persons

Ingredients:
3 cup Fenugreek leaves (Methi leaves)
1/2 cup fresh Green peas
1 Green chili
1/2 cup Onion paste
1 tbsp butter
2 black peppers
1 green cardamom
1 small piece of Cinnamon stick
1/2 cup Milk
Salt to taste

Method:
1) Heat a pan, add butter and green chili. Then add black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon stick and saute until you sense nice aroma of spices.
2) Add onion paste over medium heat and saute until onion is cooked nicely. Then add methi leaves and cook uncovered over medium heat. stir occasionally.
3) Once methi is cooked, add green peas and milk. Cook over low heat. Add salt to taste and 1 or 2 tbsp fresh cream. Cook over slow flame for few minutes more.
This curry needs time to cook. So be patient.

Tips:
1) Many people like to add ginger-garlic paste along with the onion paste. However, ginger-garlic paste reduces the flavor of Fenugreek.
2) Due to fresh cream, the curry gets little sweet taste. However, add pinch of sugar if needed.

Mutter Khasta Kachori

Khasta Kachori in Marathi

Serves: 10 to 12 Kachoris

Ingredients:
For Cover:
1 cup All Purpose Flour
1/4 cup Oil
salt to taste
For Filling:
3/4 cup Frozen green peas
4 Green Chilies
1/4 cup Cilantro
2 curry leaves
1/2 tsp Amchoor Powder
1/2 tsp cumin powder
Tempering: 1 tbsp Oil, 1/4 tsp Turmeric, 1/8 tsp Asafoetida (Optional), 1 tsp Red Chili Powder
salt to taste
Oil for deep frying

Method:
1) Take all purpose flour into a bowl. add salt and oil mix well. Add water and knead to a medium consistency dough. Do not make soft dough. cover the dough for half an hour.
2) To make filling first, grind 4 Green Chilies, 1/4 cup Cilantro and 2 curry leaves to fine paste. Do not add water. If you are using frozen peas, defrost them before using. Grind them to fine to semi coarse paste.
3) Heat 1 tbsp oil in a saucepan. Temper with Turmeric, Asafoetida, Red Chili Powder and Cilantro-chili paste. saute for 10 seconds. Add Green Peas paste. saute over medium low heat until the mixture becomes dry. To cook peas, cover the pan with lid. Add salt to taste, Amchoor Powder, and cumin powder, mix well. Once done, let this mixture cool down. Make 1 inch balls. This mixture makes 10 to 12 balls.
4) Now knead the all purpose flour dough nicely. and make 10 to 12 equal balls.
5) Heat oil for deep-frying. Take one ball, dust with little flour and roll into a 3 inch round disk. Disk should be thin on the edges and little thick in the center. Place one ball of peas stuffing in the center of the disc. Put all edges together, seal nicely. It should cover the stuffing. Now again dust this ball with dry flour and carefully roll to a thick disk. while rolling, Stuffing should not come out.
6) Deep fry kachori over medium heat till brown and crisp both side.

Labels:
Khasta Kachori, Kachori Recipe, Matar Kachori

Matar Batata Karanji

Matar Batata Karanji in Marathi

Potato & Peas stuffed Pastry
Servings : Around 20 small Karanjis

Ingredients:
For Cover:
1 cup Maida (All purpose Flour)
1 & half tbsp Semolina
2-3 tbsp Vegetable Oil
Salt to taste
Stuffing
1 & half cup Green peas
2 medium Potatoes
2-3 green chilies (Indian)
For Tempering:
3 tbsp Oil, 1/2 tsp Cumin seeds, pinch of Asafoetida, 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
3-4 curry leaves, crushed
2 Garlic flakes finely chopped
1/2 tsp Black pepper powder
Salt to taste
Oil for deep frying

Method:
1) In a mixing bowl mix semolina and Maida. In a small pan heat 2-3 tbsp oil to high temperature and pour in maida. Add salt to taste. Add water and make tight dough. Cover it till the stuffing gets ready.
2) Peel potatoes and cut into small cubes. Heat 3-4 tbsp oil in a nonstick frying pan. Add cumin seeds, pinch of asafoetida, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder and curry leaves. Then add chopped garlic and chilies. Fry for few seconds. Turn the heat on medium, add potato cubes. Add salt to taste. Cover for 2-3 minutes. Give a nice stir. Then add peas and sauté. Cover the pan with lid to trap the steam and let potatoes and peas cook. Stir in between. This stuffing should be dry. So don’t add water. If it becomes sticky, it could affect the karanji's taste.
3) Once the stuffing is ready, add black pepper powder and mash with the masher.
4) Now we are going to make karanjis. Divide dough into 1 inch small balls. Roll it to a puri. On the half area of circle, place 1 tbsp stuffing. Don’t put stuffing on the edges. Cover the stuffing with other half circle area and make half moon shape. Press the edges and cut excessive dough with cutter.
5) Deep fry karanjis into oil. Enjoy these tasty karanjis with Tomato ketchup, Tamarind Chutney or green chutney.

Labels:
Maharashtrian, Potato snacks, Fritter recipe, Karanji Recipe, Gujia Recipe

Matar Paneer

Matar paneer in Marathi

Serves: 3 to 4 persons
Time: 45 to 50 minutes (Preparation Time: 30 minutes, To make gravy: 15 to 20 minutes)

Ingredients:
250 gram paneer (Tips 1 and 2)
1 cup green peas (Frozen)
1 Big Onion, chopped
4 medium Tomatoes, chopped
Whole Garam Masala – (2 cardamoms, 1 bay leaf, 4 Cloves, 1 small cinnamon stick, 3 to 4 black pepper corn). Grind the masala ingredients (except cardamom) to a coarse powder
2 tsp ginger-garlic paste (4 to 5 garlic cloves + 1/2 to 1 inch ginger piece)
6-7 cashewnuts
1 tsp Coriander powder
1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds powder
1/2 tsp Amchoor Powder (Tip 6)
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds
1 green chilies (Optional)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 or 2 tsp red chili powder
3 tbsp Oil
Salt to taste
1 to 2 tsp Sugar (Tip 7) (Optional)
2 tbsp plain yogurt
Cilantro for garnishing

Method:
1) In a nonstick skillet, heat 2 tbsp oil. Fry cashew nuts. Then add finely chopped onion, add salt and fry till onion becomes translucent. After that, add turmeric powder and ginger garlic paste. Fry for few seconds and add finely chopped tomatoes. Let the tomatoes cook nicely, till soft and mushy. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool down. Then blend this mixture to a fine paste. Add little water if required.
2) Cut paneer into pieces and shallow fry in a nonstick pan by adding little oil.
3) Heat 1 tbsp oil in a frying pan. Add ground garam masala and fry for 15 seconds. Add Cardamom, cumin seeds, let it splutter. Then, add onion-tomato paste and little water. We need medium thick gravy so add water accordingly. Add coriander powder, cumin powder, sugar, green chilies and red chili powder. Cook this gravy for 5 minutes over medium heat. Add salt if needed. Add peas and boil for few more minutes. Add paneer pieces, yogurt and stir very gently. After adding paneer pieces, avoid continuous strring. It may break the paneer pieces.
Garnish with cilantro and serve with naan or roti. Matar paneer tastes great with white rice too.

Tips:
1) Fresh paneer can be used without shallow frying. However, fresh paneer tends to crumble after adding to the hot gravy.
2) Paneer made with whole milk tastes very good. But it is very delicate to handle when freshly prepared. In that case, refrigerate for two days. Then shallow fry in a nonstick pan over medium low heat.
3) If whole garam masala ingredients are unavailable, use 1 tsp readymade garam masala powder. However, try to use freshly ground garam masala ingredients as they give nice flavor and aroma to the curry.
4) I have used frozen peas in the above recipe. If you are going to use fresh peas, cook them for few more minutes into the gravy.
5) Use good quality of red chili powder which will give nice red color to the curry.
6) Sometimes, tomatoes are less sour in taste. So taste the gravy and add little amchoor powder to make it little sour.
7) Little sweetness from sugar increases the flavor of curry. It is optional though.