Green peas masala curry is a delicious and a great side dish for rotis, chapatis, phulkas or even pulaos.  It is a very easy and simple to make curry made with fresh green peas, onions and tomatoes and cooked in a spicy gravy.  Green peas are available throughout the year in frozen form, but during  winter green pods are available in plenty and making this curry with fresh green peas is more delicious and flavourful.   The use of cashewnuts and milk paste not only gives a rich taste but also a creamier look to this dish.

HOW TO MAKE/PREPARE GREEN PEAS MASALA CURRY RECIPE

Pressure cook green peas for upto 3 whistles.  Keep aside.

Soak cashewnuts in a milk for 8-10 minutes.  Grind soaked cashewnuts to a smooth paste and set aside.

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan.  Add onions, tomatoes, garlic cloves, green chillies and ginger  (ingredients mentioned under TO ROAST AND GRIND WET MASALA) till the onions turn light brown and tomatoes become little soft or mushy.  Allow them to cool down.  Grind the roasted ingredients with little water to a smooth paste and set aside.

Heat another 2 tablespoons of oil or butter in a separate pan.  Add cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon and bayleaves.  Saute on a low flame for 30 seconds,  Then add chopped onions and stir fry till light brown.

Then add ground onion tomato mixture and mix well.  Saute on a low flame for 4-5 minutes.  Then add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder and  salt and combine together.

Add the cooked peas and cook for another 2 minutes.

Add kasoori methi and garam masala and mix well.  Allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes on a low flame.  Finally add the cashew paste and give a quick stir and switch off the flame

Garnish green peas masala curry with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with rotis, chapatis, naans, pulaos or any flavoured rice.

NOTES/TIPS

• After adding cashewnut-milk paste, do not cook for too long as milk tends to curdle sometimes.

• If you are using fresh green peas, you can cook it separately in a pan and then add it.  Do not overcook the green peas or else the curry tends to become mushy.