Matar Karanji /Gujiya Recipe / Maharashtrian Deep Fried Savoury Pastry

Matar Karanji /Gujiya Recipe / Maharashtrian Deep Fried Savoury Pastry

         An Indulgent deep fried snack with fresh green peas in every bite that can be served at your Holi or Diwali parties.

        Matar Karanji/ Gujiya is an indulgent Maharashtrian snack made using seasonal fresh green peas. Green peas and fresh coconut along with a few other spices are stuffed in a crisp flour pastry and then deep fried till golden brown. Matar Karanji is usually served as a tea time snack but you can make mini, bite sized karanjis and serve them as a party appetizer or snack.

     Spicy Matar karanji tastes great on its own but you can serve them with Raw Mango & Coconut Chutney or any chutney of choice at your Diwali or Holi parties

Matar Karanji /Gujiya Recipe

Cuisine: Maharashtrian Recipes 

Course: Snack 

Diet: Vegetarian 

Ingredients:

For the cover:

• 1-1/2 cups All Purpose Flour (Maida)
• 3 tablespoon Sooji (Semolina/ Rava)
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 3 tablespoons Ghee
• Water,as required

For the filling:

• 2 cups Green peas (Matar),blanched and water drained off completely
• 1/2 cup Fresh coconut,grated
• 2 Green Chillies,chopped or as required
• 2 teaspoons Cumin seeds (Jeera),roasted
• 1/2 teaspoon Asafoetida (hing)
• 2 teaspoon Ajwain (Carom seeds)
• Coriander (Dhania) Leaves, Handful,chopped
• Mint Leaves (Pudina),Handful,chopped
• 1 teaspoon Lemon juice,(adjust)
• Salt,as required
• Sunflower Oil, for deep 

Preparation:

• To begin making the Matar Karanji first make the dough for the covering.

For the karanji/gujiya dough:

1. Mix the flour, semolina, salt and ghee. Rub together the mixture for 1-2 minutes till the ghee is completely incorporated. You can use a food processor if you have one. 
2. Gradually add water just enough to form a stiff but pliable dough (about 4-5 tablespoons water should be sufficient)
3. Keep the dough covered for about 30 minutes. 

For the Gujiya/Karanji filling:

1. In a mixer grinder, add the coconut, green chillies, coriander, mint leaves and cumin seeds and grind to a smooth paste. Do not add water. 
2. In a mixing bowl add the peas, ground coconut mixture, ajwain, salt and lemon juice. Mix until all ingredients are combined

To make the Matar Karanji:

1. Heat oil for deep frying in a wok.
2. Pinch off small, lime sized balls of the dough and roll out into a thin circle about 3-4 inch in diameter. Use some oil or ghee to grease the working surface (do not use flour)
3. Place about 2-3 teaspoons of the peas filling on one side of the circle leaving some space on the edge.
4. Fold over the other half of the circle to make a half moon shape.
5. Press and seal the edge taking care that air pockets do not form inside.
6. Use a Karanji cutter or a small fluted pastry cutter/wheel to remove excess dough and shape the Karanji.
7. Deep fry on medium heat till golden brown. (You can shape the karanjis at one time. Keep them covered and the fry them in batches)
8. Spicy Matar karanji tastes great on its own but you can serve them with Raw Mango & Coconut Chutney or any chutney of choice at your Diwali or Holi parties.

                                                                                                                                            EnjoyFood!