Methi Matar Malai
Setup Time:
Cooking Time:
Total Duration: Around 45-60 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Origin: North India, particularly the regions of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh
Brief Description: Methi Matar Malai is a creamy and aromatic Indian dish that combines the bitterness of fenugreek leaves (Methi) with the sweetness of green peas (matar) in a rich and creamy gravy made from cream, cashews, and aromatic spices. It is a delightful blend of flavours and textures, making it a popular dish in Indian households and restaurants.
Features:
It provides rich, creamy gravy from cream, cashews, and milk.
It balances the blend of bitter fenugreek and sweet peas.
Its flavour is authentically Indian thanks to the spices' scent.
It is adaptable and pairs well with rice or Indian breads like roti and naan.
Instructions:
1) Preparation of a Green Chilli, Onion, and Garlic Mixture:
Peel and chop onions.
Cut green chilies into pieces.
Heat mustard oil in a thick-bottomed pan.
Add chopped onions and garlic, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until soft.
Add chopped green chilies and cashew nuts, and boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside to cool.
2) Blanching Process:
Boil water, add sugar, salt, and baking soda.
Blanch the peas for 5 minutes, then remove and place them inside a bowl.
Blanch fresh fenugreek leaves for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to cold water.
3) Grinding the mixture:
Grind the cooked green chilli, onion, and garlic mixture in a mixer jar with ¼ cup water.
4) Cooking Process:
Heat mustard oil in the same pan used earlier.
Add cumin seeds and asafoetida and mix well.
Add the ground paste of green chilli, onion, and garlic.
Mix in turmeric powder, salt, and Kitchen King Masala, and cook for a while.
5) Final Steps:
Add blanched peas, fenugreek leaves, and khoya to the mixture. Allow it to simmer.
Add fresh cream and crushed dried fenugreek leaves.
Warm up a small piece of coal, put it in a tiny metal cup with clarified butter, and leave it in the pan for five minutes to acquire a restaurant-style flavour.
Remove the coal and clarified butter before serving.
Tips:
Don't overcook peas or fenugreek leaves; maintain their texture and colour.
Handle heated coal with care for a smoky flavour.
Cautions:
Heat it, but allow it to cool slightly to reduce pungency.
Ensure that coal is out before tossing; use tongs or gloves
Ingredients:
Onions - 3 pieces
Green chilies - 7 to 8 pieces
Garlic - 7 to 8 cloves
Mustard oil
Cashew nuts - 12 to 15 pieces
Peas
Fresh fenugreek leaves
Sugar - ½ cup
Salt
Baking Soda
Cumin seeds - ½ teaspoon
Asafoetida - ¼ teaspoon
Turmeric Powder - ½ teaspoon
Salt (as per taste)
Kitchen King Masala - 1 teaspoon
Dried fenugreek leaves
Water
Khoya
Fresh cream
Clarified butter (ghee)
Small piece of coal (optional, for additional flavour)