Nimona : The Green pea curry

Green pea, sweet and versatile. I  can use it almost any dish I cook. No rice dish is complete without it for me. Recently I also tried halwa made of green peas. Amazing dessert it was. Though I know green peas are high in their fat content, still the taste and other nutrition benefits are not something to loose upon. Also, the frozen variety is ready in no time . Always a win-win situation. 

This recipe, is originally from Bihar. I had never heard of it before, until S asked me to cook it for him. I was confused, never heard of something called Nimona.. Then he explained me in his funny ways of something called Matar ki Daal and he was actually SHOCKED ( :P ) that I had never known about it. He has his own world BTW, where he believes I know everything and anything. He can ask me about anything thats coming up on TV, anything related to any cuisine or anything that exists and he presumes I know the answer :) Husbands ! aren't they all alike... 


Anyways, I prepared this nimona last week, it was such an amazing recipe to have with Chapathi although S loved it with rice. Try it for a different experience apart from regular dhal and subzi.. Accompany with pickles.. Enjoy :D

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups green peas , boiled

2. 2 potatoes, cubed small

3. 2 tbsp Mustard oil 

4. 2 tomatoes, chopped

5. 2-3 green chilies, chopped small 

6. A small piece of ginger, sliced 

7. 1 tsp salt, turmeric, red chili powder, cumin powder, coriander seeds each 

8.  A pinch of Asafoetida

9. 1/2 tsp Garam Masala

10. Cilantro to garnish 

Method:

1. Take 1 1/2 cups of boiled green peas (leave the 1/2 cup aside) and blend without water in blender. Blend it just for a pulse or two, the peas should not be mashed. Keep aside

2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan and fry cubed potatoes for 3-4 min till they get light brown and crisp. Keep aside

3. Now, heat oil in the same pan. Splutter cumin seeds. 

4. Add asafoetida and after 10 sec, add rest of the spices along with ginger pieces. Fry for a minute.

5. Add tomatoes and cook covered till tender. 

6. Pour in the mashed peas and whole peas together in the tomato paste and cook covered for few minutes stirring in between. 

7. Add water according to your preference and keep stirring for 2 min. 

8. Add fried potatoes at last and turn off the flame. 

9. Garnish with cilantro and garam masala.