Methi Matar Malai

Methi Matar Malai

     Methi matar malai recipe with video and step by step pics – Methi matar malai is a delicious and popular North Indian curry made with fenugreek leaves, peas and cream. It can be found in the menu of most North Indian or Punjabi restaurants.

     This is a sure shot winner recipe. Its creamy, smooth, delicious and of course healthy too with the methi (fenugreek) and matar (green peas). This was so good, it will even beat the Matar methi malai served in restaurants.

     Methi mutter malai recipe can be made in flat 30 to 35 minutes if you have the fenugreek leaves ready and chopped. You have to boil the peas first and when you are making the paste and frying it et all, you can keep the peas for cooking in a microwave or on the stove.

    The recipe is good for kids too, especially if you want to feed them fenugreek. There is no bitterness or bitter taste. It is on the sweeter side due to the presence of cream, onions and cashews. Plus not at all spicy. Methi matar malai is a delicious North Indian curry made with fenugreek leaves, peas and cream.

Ingredients:
Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped fresh fenugreek leaves (methi leaves)
• ½ cup boiled green peas
• ½ cup fresh cream (malai)
• 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter) or oil
• ½ cup water or add as required
• ½ teaspoon sugar or add as required
• salt as required

Ingredients For The Paste:

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 medium size onion - chopped or ⅓ cup chopped onion
• ¼ cup cashews
• 1 teaspoon roughly chopped garlic cloves or 4 to 5 medium garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 teaspoon roughly chopped ginger or 1 inch ginger, chopped
• 1 teaspoon roughly chopped green chilies or 1 to 2 green chilies,chopped

For Garnishing:

• Few chopped coriander leaves (cilantro leaves)
• Some boiled green peas, optional

Instructions:
Preparing The Paste:

1. In a grinder jar, add 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, ⅓ cup chopped onions, ¼ cup cashews, 1 teaspoon chopped garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon ginger and 1 teaspoon green chilies.
2. Grind to a smooth paste. 
3. If you are not able to grind, then you can add some water while grinding.
4. making methi matar malai
5. Heat ghee (clarified butter) or oil in a pan or kadai.
6. Add the ground paste and fry the paste 6 to 7 minutes on low flame till it starts giving a fragrant aroma.
7. Keep on stirring in between to avoid the paste from sticking to the pan. You should see oil releasing from the sides. Do not brown the paste. 
8. Add a little water if it sticks to the pan.
9. Add chopped fenugreek leaves and saute for 2 minutes. 
10. Then add ½ cup water in parts. Mix well and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir at intervals. 
11. Then add the boiled peas and cream.
12. Simmer methi matar malai gravy for 5 to 6 minutes on a low flame.
13. Add the sugar and salt and mix well.
14. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve methi mutter malai hot with naan, parathas or phulkas.

Notes:

1. If using fresh homemade cream or malai: freeze the cream and then whip it till it becomes smooth and soft. Don't add warm malai or without whipping it as this won't give you a good creamy texture. I used ready made amul fresh cream but you can get the same results with fresh malai. You don't need to whip or beat the cream if you are using ready made cream.
2. If the fenugreek leaves are too bitter - chop the fenugreek leaves and take them in a bowl. Sprinkle some salt and mix very well. Keep aside for 15 minutes. Then squeeze the fenugreek leaves in your palms. The bitter juices go away this way. 

                                                                                                                                          EnjoyFood!