Matar Ki Tehri Recipe: A Delightful One-Pot Awadhi Dish
Matar Ki Tehri is a simple yet flavorful rice dish that originates from the Awadhi cuisine of India. This aromatic, spiced rice dish is perfect for a quick, wholesome meal. The recipe features fragrant rice cooked with peas, a mix of spices, and ghee, delivering a subtle sweetness from the peas and a rich taste from the ghee. Matar Ki Tehri is typically served with boondi raita and crispy papad, making it a satisfying dish for lunch or dinner. Whether you’re preparing it for a family meal or hosting a gathering, this dish is sure to impress.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Basmati rice | 1 cup |
| Cloves | 4-5 pieces |
| Cinnamon stick | 1-inch piece |
| Whole black pepper | 1 tablespoon |
| Large green cardamoms | 2 pieces |
| Dried red chili | 1 piece |
| Ghee | 3 tablespoons |
| Onion (finely sliced) | 1/4 cup |
| Tomato (finely chopped) | 1/4 cup |
| Fresh ginger (grated) | 1/4 inch piece |
| Fresh green peas | 1 cup |
| Fresh coriander leaves | 1/4 cup (finely chopped) |
| Bay leaf | 1 leaf |
| Salt | To taste |
Nutritional Information
(Approximate per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 250 kcal |
| Protein | 5g |
| Carbohydrates | 45g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g |
| Fat | 6g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Sodium | 200mg |
| Potassium | 150mg |
| Vitamin A | 2% of the Daily Value |
| Vitamin C | 10% of the Daily Value |
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Cuisine: Awadhi
Course: One Pot Dish
Diet: Vegetarian
Instructions for Matar Ki Tehri Recipe
Step 1: Soaking Rice and Peas
To begin, take the basmati rice and soak it in water for about 1 hour. This helps the rice cook evenly and ensures it remains fluffy after cooking. While the rice is soaking, soak the fresh peas in a cup of hot water for a few minutes. Drain the peas and set them aside for later use.
Step 2: Preparing the Aromatic Tempering
In a pressure cooker, heat 3 tablespoons of ghee over medium heat. Once the ghee is hot, add the whole spices: cloves, cinnamon stick, whole black pepper, green cardamoms, and the dried red chili. Sauté these spices on a low flame for about 1-2 minutes until they release their fragrance.
Step 3: Sautéing Onions and Ginger
Next, add the thinly sliced onion and grated ginger to the cooker. Sauté the mixture for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften and begin to turn golden brown. This adds depth of flavor to the dish.
Step 4: Adding Tomatoes and Green Peas
Once the onions are browned, add the chopped tomatoes and green peas to the cooker. Cook the mixture for about 2 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften and the peas to blend well with the spices.
Step 5: Adding Rice and Other Ingredients
Now, it’s time to add the soaked rice. Gently stir the rice into the spice mixture, ensuring it gets coated evenly with the ghee and spices. Add the chopped coriander leaves, bay leaf, and salt to taste. Mix everything well.
Step 6: Cooking the Tehri
Add water to the cooker as per the rice-to-water ratio (generally 1:1.5 for fluffy rice). Stir everything together, and close the pressure cooker lid. Cook the rice on medium-high heat until you hear one whistle (city). Once the first whistle has passed, reduce the flame to low and allow it to cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. This ensures the rice is fully cooked without being overdone.
Step 7: Letting the Pressure Release
After the cooking time, turn off the gas and let the pressure release naturally from the cooker. Once the pressure is released, open the lid carefully. Fluff the rice gently with a spoon to mix the peas and spices throughout.
Step 8: Serving the Matar Ki Tehri
Your delicious Matar Ki Tehri is now ready to be served. Serve it hot with a side of cool boondi raita and crispy papad for a perfect meal. Enjoy this wholesome, aromatic rice dish as part of your lunch or dinner spread.
Serving Suggestions
Matar Ki Tehri is best served with:
- Boondi Raita: A yogurt-based side dish with crispy fried boondi that adds a delightful contrast to the warm, spiced rice.
- Papad: Crisp, fried papads make an excellent accompaniment, offering a crunchy texture to balance the softness of the rice.
Tips and Variations
- Spice Level: You can adjust the level of spiciness in this dish by increasing or decreasing the amount of dried red chili. For a milder version, omit the red chili entirely.
- Other Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or peas for more color and flavor. This will create a more substantial vegetable rice dish.
- Vegan Option: To make this recipe vegan, replace ghee with vegetable oil.
Matar Ki Tehri is a comforting, one-pot meal that’s both easy to make and full of flavor. With its delightful blend of spices and fresh peas, this dish embodies the essence of Awadhi cooking, known for its aromatic and rich flavors. Enjoy this hearty, vegetarian recipe with your loved ones and savor the true taste of Indian home-cooked meals!
