Matar ki Tehri UP Style – Green Peas cooked with Rice and spices
Matar ki Tehri - A fragrant rice dish from Eastern Uttar Pradesh in India, made with seasonal Green peas cooked with Basmati rice in Desi Ghee and subtly spiced with whole Indian spices
Servings: 2 cups
Ingredients
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1.5 cups water to soak the rice
- 4 - 5 Cloves
- ½ inch piece cinnamon
- 8 - 10 black pepper
- 2 - 3 Big Black cardamom Badi Elaychi
- 1 dry red chilli
- 3 - 4 tablespoons ghee Vegan version: sunflower or olive oil 1 tablespoon
- ¼ cup Onions sliced
- ¼ cup tomato sliced
- ½ inch piece ginger minced
- 1 cup Green peas
- ¼ cup coriander leaves minced
- 1 Bay leaf Tej Patta
- 2 cups water
- to taste salt
Instructions
- Preparation: Wash and soak the rice for 1 hour before you plan to cook. Slice /mince the onions, tomatoes, ginger and coriander leaves. Soak the peas in a cup of water. I find it helps them cook faster as well as retain some of that 'plump' look.
- Heat ghee in the pressure cooker or thick bottomed pan. Add all the whole spices and red chilli and sauté for 2 minutes on low flame
- Add onions, sauté on low flame for 2-3 minutes till they begin to brown. Add Ginger, sauté for 10 secs
- Add tomatoes, sauté for 1 minute Drain and add the peas. Stir. Add the minced coriander leaves. Add Bay leaf, stir.
- Drain the rice and add. Add salt to taste. Add water, stir. Pressure cook till 1 whistle on high and then simmer on low flame for 3-4 minutes
- Turn off the stove and let the cooker release steam and open on its own so that the Tehri is nicely cooked. It is best to move the cooker away from the hot gas ring once you switch it off, so that the rice cooks in its own steam, without burning and catching at the bottom of the pan.
- Serve hot, with raita and with slices of brinjal marinated in turmeric and salt and deep fried.
