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Chura matar
Chura matar (चूड़ा मटर): Varanasi winter flattened rice with fresh peas and ghee
When fresh peas pile up in the markets of Varanasi and eastern Uttar Pradesh in winter, breakfast becomes chura matar: thick flattened rice tossed in ghee with sweet green peas, ginger, green chilli and a pinch of sugar, finished with lemon and coriander. It is softer and richer than poha, and is often eaten on the ghats with a cup of chai. The mistake is soaking the chura in water; it turns mushy. Rinse it quickly in a sieve and let it rest, and it softens just enough. Chef's tip: crush half the peas lightly with the back of a spoon in the pan so they coat the rice and make each mouthful sweeter.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 3
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- ¾ in fresh gingerfinely grated
- 2 green chilliesfinely chopped
- ¾ tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- ¼ tsp garam masala
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp fresh corianderchopped
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What you'll need
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Put 7 oz thick flattened rice (chura or poha) in a sieve and rinse under the tap for 15 seconds, tossing, until just damp. Leave to drain for 5 minutes; the flakes should be soft but still separate.
5 minStep 2: Heat 2 tbsp ghee in a wide pan over a medium heat. Add 1 tsp cumin seeds and when it sizzles, add ¾ in fresh ginger and 2 green chillies and fry for 30 seconds.
1 minStep 3: Add 7 oz fresh or frozen green peas and half the ¾ tsp salt, cover and cook for 4–5 minutes until tender, then lightly crush about half of them.
5 minStep 4: Add the chura, the rest of the salt, 1 tsp sugar and ¼ tsp garam masala and toss gently over a low heat for 3–4 minutes, until hot through and every flake glistens.
4 minStep 5: Take off the heat, squeeze over 1 tbsp lemon juice, scatter with 3 tbsp fresh coriander and serve warm.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 8 g
- Carbs
- 48 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Fibre
- 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does chura matar take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 3 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of thick flattened rice (chura or poha)?
- Any long-grain rice, same amount.
- What can I use instead of ghee?
- Butter, same amount (keep the heat a little lower, butter burns sooner).
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