I have used dried green peas, soaked overnight and then pressure cooked. You can use fresh or even frozen green peas for the recipe. The flavor of the gravy is enhanced based on how well you saute the ingredients. Always saute in medium flame till they become golden brown in color. I have prepared a gravy with thick consistency to serve it with bread and I do prepare it adding little more water when serving with rice. You can always prepare it for desired consistency. Preparation time : 30 minutes Serves : 4 Onion roughly chopped - ½ of big or 1 medium Garlic cloves - 4 Green chilies - 2 Ginger - ½ inch Cashews - 1 ½ tbsp Cloves - 2 Cardamom - 4 to 5 seeds Cinnamon - ½ inch stick Cumin seeds - 1 tsp Coriander seeds - 1 tsp Coriander leaves - ⅓ cup Lemon juice - 1 tsp Tomato paste - 1 ½ tbsp Green peas - 2 cups (cooked / frozen / fresh) Potato cut into cubes - 1 Onion finely chopped - ½ of big or 1 medium Turmeric powder - ¼ tsp Dried mint leaves (pudina) - 1 tsp Cream - 1 tbsp Salt - to taste Vegetable oil - 2 tbsp
Step I (To prepare the masala paste)
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in pan. Add cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and cumin seeds and saute for few seconds. Add the cashews and saute till it becomes light brown. Now add onion, green chilies, ginger, garlic cloves, coriander seeds and saute till onion becomes golden brown in color. Add the tomato paste and lemon juice and saute for one more minute. You can substitute tomato paste with a tomato. Let this cool down for about 5 to 10 minutes. In a food processor, grind this sauteed ingredients along with coriander leaves adding little water to form thick smooth paste.
Step II
In a pan add 1 tablespoon of oil. Add finely chopped onion and saute till it becomes translucent. Add the potatoes and saute it for minute or two. Now add the grounded paste / masala , cooked green peas, salt to taste and water for desired consistency and bring it nice boil till the potatoes are cooked. Add turmeric powder, mint leaves, cream and boil for another 2 to 3 minutes. Green peas Masala is now ready. Garnish it with coriander leaves and ginger strips. Serve hot and enjoy.
Tip:
You can skip cream for vegan version. Vary the spices as per your taste. You can also cook the potato cubes in microwave for 5 minutes and add to the gravy.
