Green peas Masala

If you have some frozen peas lying in your freezer and you want to fix something jazzy for the dinner, then here is a peas masala curry in just 10 minutes. It is one of my favorite curries because of its simplicity and lingering taste.
If planned properly, this dish can be done by soaking (5-6 hrs) the dried peas also.
But cooking the dry peas may take a lot of time:(
It tastes great if prepared with fresh peas with pods. I love buying them with pods because i think it is really a fun to remove the crunchy pods:) and to see the green pearl like peas inside.

Green peas masala curry / pachai pattani curry (Tamil)/ Sweet peas masal.



Ingredients:
Green peas (fresh or frozen) - 1 cup
chopped onion - a handful
curry leaf - 1 brig.
ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
Tomato - 1
oil - 1 tbsp
chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
coriander powder - 2 tsp
Turmeric powder - a pinch
fennel seeds - 1 tsp
cumin - 1/2 tsp
salt - to taste
water - 1/4 cup

Method:
Remove the pods and collect the green peas. (If frozen peas are used, then defrost them in running water).Wash them in running water.
Heat oil in a kadai.
Add a tsp of fennel seeds. After it turns red, add the chopped onions and curry leaves.
Fry till the onion becomes tender. Then add the ginger garlic paste and saute well.
Then goes the chopped tomato and cook till it becomes mushy.
Now put the green peas ,salt, chilli powder,cumin, coriander powder, turmeric and 1/4 cup water.
Cook covered until done.
In just 10 minutes Green peas masala is ready.
Garnish with finely chopped cilantro.

Serving suggestions:
Serves 2 people.
Good to go with chapathi, naan, vegetable pulao, any rice dish.

Pasta Soup

After posting a lot of authentic Indian dishes , I felt like giving something easy like a one pot meal with Pasta. We can make innumerable dishes with Pasta, but this soup is my very own invention:). No need to add any cheese / cream / ranch .The vegetables, nutrition makes it a whole meal and ofcourse a mild dinner after a generous evening snack.
So here goes a pasta dish, Just for a change.



Ingredients:
Pasta (whole wheat) - 1/2 cup (sea shell or Conchiglie Pasta)
Corn (frozen) - 2 tbsp
Frozen peas - 2 tbsp
Shredded cabbage - 1/2 cup
Minced Onion - 2 tbsp
Carrot (shredded) - 1/2 cup
water - 4 cups
Corn flour / All purpose flour - 1 tsp
Tomato sauce - 3 tbsp
To grind:
garlic - 2 pods
Cumin - 1/2 tsp

Method:
Bring to boil 4 cups of water. Then add the pasta , cook it for 10 minutes. Then add the ground items and vegetables given above.
Cook till the pasta becomes soft.
Then goes the tomato sauce.Add salt to taste.
Dissolve the corn flour in 1/4 cup water and add it to the soup.
Bring to a boil and switch off immediately.

Serving suggestions:
Serves 2 adults.
Serve with a dash of freshly ground Black pepper.