Tried this recipe?Please rate the recipe by clicking the stars below
Methi Matar Malai
Methi Matar Malai is a popular North Indian curry made with fenugreek leaves (methi), green peas (matar), and cream (malai). This rich, flavorful, and creamy curry in white gravy pairs perfectly with naan or rice. Vegetarian and gluten-free recipe!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil or ghee divided
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds zeera
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 green cardamoms
- 4 black peppercorns
- 2 cloves
- 2-3 green chilies chopped, adjust to taste, used thai chili
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced, or 4 fat garlic cloves chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger minced, or 1 inch ginger chopped
- 1 medium onion chopped, (about 1 cup)
- 15 cashews
- 2 teaspoon poppy seeds khuskhus
- 2 cups fresh Methi leaves Fenugreek leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- 1 cup green peas fresh or frozen, using frozen.
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½-1 cup water or milk
- ½ - 1 teaspoon Punjabi garam masala
- ¼ cup cilantro finely chopped
Instructions
Reduce Methi Leaves bitterness (optional)
- Blanching or boiling methi leaves will help reduce the bitterness of fenugreek leaves. Skip this step if you prefer the bitter flavor. Cooked methi will be reduced to 1 cup.
- Boil the fenugreek leaves in 3 cups of water till they turn soft and bright green (about 5 mins).
- Drain and add to cold water to stop them from cooking further and discoloring. Once cool, drain the water completely and chop them roughly.
Make Methi Matar Malai
- Heat a pan on medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil or ghee. Once hot, add the whole spices, bay leaf, cardamom, black pepper, cloves, and cumin seeds. Saute for 30 seconds.
- Add green chili, ginger and garlic. Saute for another 30 seconds.
- Stir in the onions and ½ teaspoon salt. Cook until the onions are translucent. Stir intermittently.
- Add the cashews and poppy seeds. Saute for another minute. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool.
- Remove the bay leaf, and transfer the mixture to a blender. Blend to a smooth paste.
- Heat the same pan and add the remaining oil or ghee along with the bay leaf (removed earlier) and the blended onion paste and saute for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the chopped methi leaves with remaining ½ teaspoon salt and pepper and saute for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the thawed frozen green peas (or parboiled fresh green peas) and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add cream, milk, or water (½ to 1 cup depending on the consistency you like) and garam masala. Mix well. Cover and simmer on medium-low flame for 5 minutes. Stir intermittently.
- Switch off the stove, add the cilantro leaves, and mix.
- Methi Matar Malai is ready!! Serve warm with roti, naan, or Jeera rice. Enjoy!
Notes
Use fresh fenugreek leaves (methi) for the best flavor. Frozen methi can be used if fresh produce is not in season.
If the fenugreek leaves are too bitter, you can reduce the bitterness by blanching them in hot water. If you prefer the bitter taste of fenugreek, simply clean and chop methi leaves and use it directly in this recipe.
You can add dried fenugreek leaves (Kasuri methi) at the end to enhance the flavor if needed.
Adjust the spice levels according to your preference. If you like it milder, reduce the quantity of green chilies or omit them altogether.
You can add soft or pan-fried paneer to the recipe to make Methi Matar Malai Paneer.
To make methi matar malai without cream, you can use alternatives like milk, coconut milk, cashew poppy seed paste, or cornstarch slurry. Since the flavor profiles of these alternatives differ from cream, taste the curry and adjust the seasoning accordingly.
To make it without nuts, skip cashews and use just cream.
Nutrition
Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 672mg | Potassium: 248mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 791IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 539mg | Iron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @shwetainthekitchen or tag #shwetainthekitchen!
Follow me on YouTube!Subscribe to my channel to get the latest Recipe Video updates.