Matar Ka Nimona is a flavorful curry made with fresh green peas and simple spices. Growing up in the state of Uttar Pradesh, green peas are a winter favorite vegetable that was found in abundance. I have memories of peeling kilograms and kilograms of fresh green peas in winter while basking in the gentle sun to warm us up. Growing up, I hated green peas and as far as I can remember, green peas are the only vegetable I disliked. I still have no clue as to why I don’t like green peas. I still don’t love green peas but don’t dislike them as much. Thankfully my husband loves green peas and my boys like it as well. This gives me an opportunity to cook with green peas quite often.
Recipe Swap Challenge -
Indian cuisine is an ocean full of treasured recipes and it gets more and more exciting as we get to explore deeper into each state. I am part of a Facebook Group called ‘Recipe Swap Challenge’. Each participating member is paired with another member and we have to cook from our pair’s blog. This month, I am paired with Swati, who blogs at Food Trails. She has a beautiful collection of recipes in her blog and I chose to make this delightful Matar Ka Nimona Recipe from her space.
What kind of peas to use?
I am so happy that I tried this Nimona recipe as my family loved it and the curry disappeared within no time. I was not able to find fresh green peas, but saw frozen petite green peas. The peas were very tender and sweet and they worked great for Matar Ka Nimona. I also opened my new mortar and pestle that I brought from India the last time I went. It has been sitting unopened for over a year and I opened it to make fresh ginger, garlic, and green chili paste for the Nimona recipe. It just smells so amazing when freshly ground and I love the heavy stone mortar. I did not buy it in any fancy store paying big money but bought it from local stone artisans from Mahabalipuram. I have lived in Chennai almost all my life, but last time was the first time, I spent a whole day in Mahabalipuram enjoying the coast and the sculptures.
Ingredients to make Matar Ka Nimona - Serves 4-6
Green peas - 16 oz (frozen, about 2 cups) Potato - 1 medium (peeled and chopped into ½ inch cubes) Onion - 1 large (finely chopped) Tomatoes - 3 (pureed) Ginger - 1-inch piece Garlic - 2 to 3 pods Green chilies - 2 Oil - 1 tablespoon + 1 TBSP Cumin seeds - 1 tsp Bay leaf - 1 Peppercorns - 6 to 8 Cloves - 4 Asafetida - ⅛th tsp Red chili powder - 1 tsp Dhania jeera powder / Cumin Coriander powder - 1 ½ tsp Garam Masala - 1 tsp Salt - to taste Cilantro - to garnish
Procedure to make UP Style Green Peas Curry -
Using a mortar and pestle or a small mixer, make a paste out of green chili, ginger, and garlic.
In a pan, add the peas and enough water to cover the peas. Boil the peas until they are tender and then drain it in a colander.
Transfer the drained peas to a wide bowl and using a masher, mash them well. Some use the blender to coarsely grind the peas, but I like the mashed texture better.
In the same pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil and fry the peeled and cubed potatoes until it is soft and golden brown.
Remove the potatoes to a bowl and in the pan, add the remaining oil.
Add the whole spices; cumin seeds, cloves, bay leaf, and peppercorns. Fry them for about 30 seconds and then add the asafetida.
Now add the ground ginger, garlic, green chili paste and fry for 30 more seconds.
Add the chopped onions and saute until it is translucent.
Now add the Pureed tomatoes and mix well. Add the spice powders; red chili powder, dhania jeera powder, and garam masala along with salt and mix well.
Let the masala mixture cook in medium heat until aromatic and oil floats on top.
Add the mashed green peas and the fried potatoes. Mix well and then add enough water to adjust the consistency.
Let the curry simmer for 5 to 7 minutes and then garnish with fresh cilantro.
Serve with roti or rice.
More Green Peas Recipes
Chura Matar / Flattened rice with Green peas Green Peas Pilaf / Matar Pulao Matar Kachori / Kachori stuffed with green peas Benarasi Aloo Matar / Potato and Green peas curry Shahi Aloo Matar / Potatoes and Green Peas in rich Tomato gravy Matar Paneer / Paneer and Green Peas Curry Matar Tofu / Tofu and green peas Subzi If you made this recipe and liked it, give a star rating on the recipe card or let me know in the comments below. You could also share it with me on Instagram using #MyCookingJourney and tagging me @sandhya.ramakrishnan. You could follow me and my recipes on Facebook |Instagram | Pinterest | twitter
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