Matra Chaat
Snack made from a relative of the Dried Green Pea
This is a delicious spicy snack. Matar Ki Chaat can be served as a snack, or as a main dish with Kulcha or Naan.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup matara (light brown in color, they look almost like chick peas; available in Indian grocery stores)
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon black salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon cumin seed
• 1 tablespoon coriander
• 2 tablespoons ginger, finely chopped
• 2 small green chilies, finely chopped (adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons tamarind pulp
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
FOR GARNISH
• A few slices of lemon
• 2 tablespoons ginger, finely chopped
• 2 green chilies, finely chopped
METHOD
1. Wash and soak the matra in three cups of water overnight. After soaking, the matra will be about 2½ times the volume of the original.
2. Dry roast the cumin seeds and coriander separately, until they are brown and you can smell their aroma. Let them cool and grind to powder consistency.
3. Put the matra in a pressure cooker with 2½ cups of water.Add the salt, ginger, and green chili. Cook on medium high heat.
4. When the pressure cooker starts to steam, turn the heat down to medium and cook eight to nine minutes more.
5. Turn off the heat and wait until the steam has stopped before opening the pressure cooker. Matra should be soft and tender.
6. Add all the spices; this is the time to adjust the salt and pepper to your taste. Mix the spices well. Add a little water if they look too dry; the gravy should be thick.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Serve warm. Garnish with ginger and slices of green chili and lemon.