Recipe- Popluar During Winters Methi Matar Malai

Methi Matar Malai is a popular Indian dish which is made in north India especially during winters when fresh methi (fenugreek) is in season!

This recipe combines methi, matar (green peas) and malai (cream) in a rich, sweet and seriously creamy curry.

Ingredients

3 teaspoons oil or ghee divided
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 green chili chopped
1/2 inch ginger chopped
2-3 large garlic cloves chopped
2 green cardamom pods
1 medium onion chopped
1.5 tablespoons broken cashews
1 teaspoon poppy seeds khus khus
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1.5 cups chopped methi fenugreek leaves
salt to taste, around 1/2 teaspoon
3/4 cup green peas frozen, which were soaked in warm water for 10 minutes before
1/2 cup heavy cream
garam masala to sprinkle

Method

* Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds and wait until they sizzle. Add the green chilli, chopped ginger, garlic and green cardamom.

* Saute for a minute or two. You don't need to fine chop the ginger and garlic as we are going to blend all this later on.

* Then add the roughly chopped onion, cashews and poppy seeds (khus khus). Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent.

* Then remove the pan from heat and let it cool down a bit. Transfer the entire mixture to a blender and blend to a smooth paste.

* To the same pan now add the remaining 1.5 teaspoon of oil. Once hot add the prepared paste to the pan and cook for few minutes until the raw smell goes completely.

* Then add the milk and water and give it a good mix. Make sure there are no lumps.

* Let the mixture come to a slight boil and then add the chopped methi and stir. Also, add the salt and mix.

* Now, add the frozen green peas (which were soaked in warm water for 10 minutes) and mix. Cook for 2 minutes.

* Then add the cream and mix.

* Cover the pan and let it simmer on medium-low flame for 4 to 5 minutes. Finally remove the lid and sprinkle some garam masala on top and switch off the heat.

* Serve methi matar malai with naan, roti or rice!