Whenever we used to trouble her a lot, my grandmother would instruct me and my siblings to pick up fenugreek leaves or pea pods during winters.In India, concept of frozen vegetables was non-existent then.Unlike now, when almost all the vegetables are available all round the years, leafy greens,cauliflowers and pea pods were limited to winters.And though the pods tasted heavenly while we picked them, picking them was painful.Our Grandmother used to make us sit by her side and she kept a watch on how many we are eating and how many actually went into the bowl.My sister was a clever one, she used to say that she is tasting them to ensure that her granny gets the best & sweet peas to make her curries.
Sometimes, a moth was discovered inside few of the pods and our interest immediately shifted to it.My brother used to run at the very sight of it to bring a small bottle and let it inside.From the appearance of first moth till the picking of last pod, he prayed that each pod is infected.He liked filling up the bottle with moths and kept it beside his pillow in the night.You know how guys love all creepy things right from childhood.Yes he is still that weird! He was weird but clever.He played that trick coz he knew that me and my sister will not sleep on the bed and he can have it all to himself.We realized this after a long time.Childhood was so much fun.I feel that everything is so distant sometimes.
I have a sad news though.My grandmother is in the hospital for last one week now.A tumour has developed in her stomach which is blocking the urinary tract and is bleeding internally at intervals.Two days back she had some breathing problem and was shifted to ICU.When I called last, she was back to the room but the her conditions is still uncertain.She is 87 and braving it out.Doctors are skeptical about surgery because of old age.I pray to GOD in every breath that she recovers.AMEN.
These indian spiced peas recipe is our favorite winter evening or weekend breakfast item.Lightly spiced peas with lots of ginger and onions and a squirt of lemon go well with masala chai.These peas pair up great as a side dish to your steal dinner or on their own with rice and gravy.
“Masala” is Hindi for spices and “Chai” translated to Tea.So masala chai is a fragrant tea drink prepared by boiling black tea leaves with fresh ginger,ground spices and milk.In India,masala chai is a popular beverage on road side stalls and cafes.The speciality of this tea is that its milky, sweet and thick.I absolutely love it.The masala or spice mix is readily available in any Indian grocery stores but I make it at home.Below goes the recipes for both.
Spiced Peas/Chuki Matar
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh/frozen peas
- 1/2 cup sliced onions
- 3 tbsp fresh ginger julians
- 2 green chillies. thinly cut
- 2 tsp cumin seeds
- 2 tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice [adjust to taste or substitute with dry mango powder [amchoor]]
How I did it:
- In a pan, heat up the oil on medium heat.
- Once heated, temper the oil with cumin seeds and wait for them to crackle.
- Add the sliced onions to the pan and let the onions saute till transculent.Dont brown them.
- Next, add the chopped green chilies and ginger julians and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Add the peas, red chilli powder, cover the lid and let the peas steam till they are cooked but not mushy.
- Once tender, open the lid,add salt and garam masala and stir fry on high heat for 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add the fresh lime juice and serve warm with masala chai [recipe below]
Masala Chai
Ingredients
- 1 tea bag per cup (or 1 tsp of black tea leaves/cup)
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1-2 fresh tulsi leaves [holy basil leaves if available] NOTE:Holy basil is totally different from Thai or Italian basil.
- 1 cup of water
- ½ cup of warm milk
- ¼ tsp chai masala powder [recipe below]
- sugar to taste
Masala/Spice Mix [Makes 1 cup masala]
- 1/4 cup cinnamon sticks, broken into small pieces
- 2 tbsp cloves
- 1/4 cups whole black peppercorns
- 1/4 cups green cardamom
- 2 green cardamom
- 1/4 cup mace, broken into small pieces
- 1/2 nutmeg, grated
How I did it
- Fine grind all the ingredients under the head “Masala/Spice Mix”.Store this spice mix in an air tight container in a dry place.This lasts for 2-3 years.
- To make the masala chai:In a saucepan, add the water along with ginger and tulsi leaves[if using] and let come to a boil.After 2-3 minutes, add tea bag or tea leaves. Let brew for 2-3 minutes.Next, add “masala” and milk and let it again come to a boil.Reduce the heat to a low simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes.Strain and serve with sugar (or sweetener).
Enjoy!
Sending this to Meatless Mondays and Hearth n Soul #32
Sending this to It’s a keeper Thursday
dreamy isn’t it….having hot steamy masala tea on the chilly winter days on the street. I think its a priceless feeling. With something like chuki matar or poha on the side, oh God I’m already dreaming it! Last season I used to grow my own Tulsi and then when I saw it might be going down hill, we went ahead and planted it below our building! I was planning a masala tea post too but u knw I plan to many things LOL
Love the spices u used except well badi elachi, I really don’t like it
By the way love the glasses. I want them! Lol I’m such a “mangtu” I want everything beautiful I see on friends blog 
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All of our prayers are with u honey.. dont worry.. she will get better…
and the chai glass looks so adorable 
And ur peas look exquisite
I’m sorry to about your grandma and hope she gets well soon.
I just recently discovered Little India over here and this looks easy enough to attempt for someone who’s never cooked anything Indian.
I didn’t know Masala chai called for holy basil. I tried growing a pot but the birds kept on picking the leaves!
Btw, I have a bowl exactly like yours.
KM
It’s so sad to hear that your grandma is suffering so much. Lets pray and wish for her early recovery.
I also prepare in the same manner. Beautiful photos…
I love your tea holders dear. And your masala peas are very very tempting.
Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi
What a spicy and colorful platter with the cuppa! Love the peas as a snack with the tea. Lovely click, Tanvi.
Prayers for your grandma dear, she will recover very soon! Amen! spicy peas looks way too good with Chai
the pic of jsut chai glass is top!
Tanvi , i know how delicious this is coz i make something very similiar , mom loves it , with boiled potatoes.
And gosh i have a craving now…
I loveee ur Masala chai cups too
))
Preety pretty and sweet , jus like u!
Both look extremely enticing! But I must say, I’m a complete sucker for a GOOD cup of chai!
Strange~ my web address was wrong on the last comment! Sorry about that.
I’ve never had this dish although I eat tons of Indian food. This really looks wonderful. I know how much hubby loves spicy food and this would put him in heaven.
Have a great week ahead.
I am very sorry to hear about your grandmother. It is a hard thing indeed to see the ones we love going through pain and sadness.
You have the best recipes! I love your chai! I have always wanted to make it at home. Problem is I’m not sure if I’ll be able to find all of these ingredients.
*Kisses* HH
This dish looks simply amazing. I loved reading this. Great job
perfect matar dish for chai! awesome pics
Love this spiced peas and hot warm cup of tea.
Hey,
I am so sorry to hear about your grand ma and hope she recovers soon. It’s hard to see your loved ones suffering and specially when you are in this far far land.
Love the peas masala. I don’t drink chai but that masala chai looks tempting. Love those tea glasses.
Tanvi, hope your grandma feel well soon…as for the peas…they sure look very tasty with all the spices in it
The chai looks very tasty as well…I never made chai…time to try this one 
Tanvi, my prayers are with ur guys,hope ur grandmas get well soon dear…btw spiced peas and masala chai both together looks sooo yummy..
A little prayer goes out for your Grandmother. I am sure she will be very proud to see your efforts in conveying the details about her and the way you replicate your family recipes.
I will certainly keep her in my prayers and wish her recovery. Spiced peas and masala chai both are perfect for cold weather
I hope your grandmother does recover. Truly… all prayers and positive energy is being sent your way and her way right now. I hope you both feel it!!!
What a beautiful tribute to her. What a lovely and vibrant dish for this time of year. I have shelled many a peas and never found a moth. That was news to me.
Big hug, and again, warmest wishes for grandma’s recovery.
Valerie
Sorry to hear about your grandmother Tanvi, I do hope she feels better soon. I’ve never had this dish either, but it looks wonderful, so bright & cheery & the cuppa tea doesn’t sound too bad either
I am sorry about your grandma, I hope her organism will prove strong enough to recover. This spiced peas look so good.
Yum! It sounds delicious and comforting. And I love the childhood memory. I have a similar one, of a grandmother who used to shell them for me, and I ate them raw…and used to call them ”dots”.
O, and I am terribly sorry to hear of your grandmother’s troubles. I hope that she will make a speedy recovery.
I’m sorry to hear about your grandmother’s health troubles. My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. How touching of you to make these spiced peas to honor your childhood memories of your grandmother.
Okay, not only does that meal look fantastic, but that is one of the coolest bowls I have ever seen!
Peas are some of my favorite vegetables and this looks great. and I’m so sorry to hear about your grandmother, hopefully she will recover.
Thanks everyone for all the wishes for my grandma.I am so overwhelmed by each comment.
this dish looks really good. i will have to make this soon. and i hope everything will go well for your grandma… lots of love:)
I think your peas sound wonderful…but what I wouldn’t give to have a glass of your chai. Yum
Sending best wishes for your grandmum. Thanks so much for sharing these w/ the hearth and soul hop this week.
Mmmm that drink sounds delicious and warming. Thanks for sharing!
I am very sorry to hear about your grandmother. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love you! ♥
The dish looks great! very yummy combination.
Its sad to hear abt your grandmother.Lets pray for her speedy recovery.
Peas masala and chai is perfect combo snack.
What a lovely memory from your childhood! I hope your grandmother gets better soon so you can share many more meals together!
I’ve been seeing chai everywhere I turn lately. I need some. Now.
I’ll have some peas and a glass of chai, please! Both look wonderful.
Cheers,
Rosa
Ah !! This looks fabulous. Love your blog. Hope to see you at My Dream Canvas.
Sorry to hear about your grandmother, I do hope she recovers. I hated shelling peas as a child but your recipe for them sure looks lovely.
Oh tanvi, I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother! My very best wishes for her health!
These peas sound delicious and I am so happy that frozen peas DO exist so that I can make them!
I can really feel how it feels when a loved one is sick back home.. My Prayers for her to get well soon..
Your evening snack is perfect!
This recipe looks amazing! I would love for you to link this or any of your recipes to my blog hop @ It’s a Keeper Thursdays. http://www.everydaytastes.com/
Thanks so much for sharing!
I’m so sorry to hear about your grandmother. My prayers are with her for a quick and full recovery. I know how hard that is, my grandfather is struggling right now as well and it’s really hard to be so far away from him when I know he’s having such a difficult go of it. Your dish is a beautiful reminder of her and of what’s most important in our lives; our family.
First of all I hope your dear grand mom has recovered, if not I wish her a speedy recovery. I do not know why I never liked the taste of green peas my mum would have been only too happy if like you I popped some peas in my mouth but no way therefore she had to grind the peas and make some snack to get me to eat it. This spiced peas I think is something I might like.
looks delicious and beautiful pics….
I’m sending positive energy for your Gran, Tanvi.
Thanks for linking up to the It’s a Keeper Thursday blog hop! I hope you come back next week and link something new!
Have a great weekend!
It’s a Keeper
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First time at your lovely space…today my dad from India saw ur recipe at tastespotting and was so happy to see your wonderful recipes and beautiful clicks. Great posts… !
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