A common sight in Delhi or Amritsar in Punjab is the street vendors serving Matar Kulcha or Matar Chaat. You will find them on roads, outside schools, colleges and workplaces too. They have huge large brass pots that is typically used to keep the rustic matar curry warm. This Matar Kulcha recipe is my tribute to the fun, flavorful and huge North Indian street food culture.
About Matar Kulcha
‘Matar’ is a Hindi word which means peas and Kulcha is the classic Indian leavened flatbread made with or without yeast.
Here in the recipe ‘Matar’ refers to the spiced and tangy curry made with dried peas and since it is served with the soft and fluffy Kulcha, hence the term ‘Matar Kulcha’.
In this Matar Kulcha recipe, the peas that are used are dried white peas, also used to make the Mumbai special curried preparation called Ragda.
Another prevalent street food that comes very close to the Matar Kulcha is Chole Bhature, a Punjabi recipe of a robust Chana Masala served with fried leavened bread known as Bhatura.
Kulcha can be made plain or flavored with spices, herbs and also can be stuffed. More tasty variations of the stuffed kulcha are these Aloo Kulcha and Paneer Kulcha.
In this recipe, you will find a delicious and tasty matar curry that you can easily make. This Kulcha recipe will help you make the fluffiest ones at home.
Incase you don’t want to put so much efforts, you can also get the readymade kulcha that are available in super markets these days.
About Matar Chaat
The Matar Curry or Matar Chaat is roughly adapted from Nita Mehta’s cookbook ‘Taste Of Delhi.’ I have adjusted the quantities according to my palate.
I have also cut down on the amount of mint leaves used in the jaljeera masala. You can even use readymade jaljeera powder.
This Matar Chaat is a very easy recipe, provided all your ingredients are in place and you have the preparation done.
For instance, soaking the white peas overnight before cooking, making the jaljeera masala, tempering and then mixing everything up.
Unlike Bhatura or Naan, kulchas remain soft even when not hot or warm. They don’t become chewy or hard.
So, if you are preparing them at home, do it in advance, stack up and store in the refrigerator. While serving, just reheat on a skillet or in the microwave until slightly warm.
This Matar Chaat has a semi thick consistency with a tangy flavor. Generally, it is a little spicy too. But I have kept the spice level moderate. You can make it spicier by increasing the red chili powder and green chillies.
Another good thing about this dish is that you really don’t need the kulcha to complete it. You can enjoy the matar curry by pairing it with a naan or pav too. The Matar Kulcha combination makes for a supremely satisfying breakfast or brunch meal.
If you prefer, you could even have the Matar Chaat as is without pairing it with a kulcha or naan. Simply top with some chopped onions, tomatoes, green chillies, ginger julienne, chaat masala, coriander leaves and lemon juice.
Matar Curry vs Ragda Curry
Though the main ingredient in both these curries are same, that is, dried white peas; still, there’s a significant difference between the Matar Curry and the Ragda Curry.
The most obvious difference between the two is that the Matar Curry is a North Indian style curry preparation which also has dried mango powder and a jaljeera mix that gives it an extra tangy twist.
On the other hand, the Ragda Curry is a popular Maharashtrian style curry, minus the extra tang and is a famous street food in Mumbai.
Ragda is used to make a lot of other yummy street foods like Ragda Puri, Ragda Patties, Pani Puri, Ragda Chaat. Another unique chaat preparation that you will find on the streets of Bangalore is this Masala Puri that is made with either dried green peas or white peas.
Expert Tips
- Dried Peas: You can prepare the Matar Chaat with fresh or dried green peas as well. Fresh green peas will impart a different taste to the curry. Use dried peas which are within their shelf-period. Older or aged dried peas take a lot of time to cook.
- Cooking Peas: Make sure the matar curry is cooked till a medium consistency. It can also be cooked in a pan, but will take a lot of time. You could also use the Instant pot to cook the soaked dried white peas.
- Swap with Chickpeas: You can use chana/chole or white chickpeas instead of white peas in the curry. You can also serve matar curry with pav (dinner rolls) or naan.
- Soaking Dried Peas: In case you have forgotten to soak the white peas for overnight, don’t worry. You can soak the peas in some hot water for about 2 to 3 hours and use.
- Using Jaljeera Powder: You can also use readymade jaljeera powder in this recipe. Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons jaljeera in ¼ to ⅓ cup water and add to the cooked matar. If you feel the taste not coming through, then you can add 1 tablespoon more.
FAQs
Yes, you can use jaljeera powder in the matar recipe. Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons jaljeera in ¼ to ⅓ cup water and add to the cooked matar.
If you feel the taste not coming through, then you can add 1 tablespoon more. Begin with 1 tablespoon first and then increase as per your taste.
Yes, you can. Use approximately 1 cup of dried chickpeas in place of dried white peas.
Yes, you can use green peas in place of white peas. You can use both fresh or dried green peas. However, the taste will be different with fresh green peas.
Yes, the kulcha dough can be prepared and refrigerated to store overnight. Spread some oil on the dough and store in an airtight steel box.
Yes, you can bake kulchas in oven at 220 to 250 degrees Celsius. Remember to preheat oven before baking the kulchas.
More Delhi Street Food Recipes To Try!
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Matar Kulcha | Matar Chaat – Delhi Style Recipe
Ingredients
For the matar curry (white peas curry)
- 1.25 cup dried white peas (safed matar)
- 3 to 4 cups water – for pressure cooking the soaked white peas
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon chaat masala
- ½ teaspoon roasted cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon dried mango powder (amchur powder)
- ¼ teaspoon red chili powder or cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Garam Masala
For jaljeera masala
- ¾ cup mint leaves – loosely packed
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 black cardamom – seeds removed and husks discarded
- 1 dried red chilli – deseeded, optional
- 1 pinch asafoetida (hing)
- 1 teaspoon black salt or regular salt, add as needed
- 5 to 6 black peppercorns
- ½ teaspoon dried mango powder (amchur powder)
- 1 tablespoon tamarind – seedless
- ¼ or ⅓ cup water for grinding or add as required
Toppings for matar chaat
- 1 onion – small-sized, finely chopped
- 1 tomato – medium-sized, finely chopped
- 1 green chili – slit or chopped
- ½ inch ginger – julienned or finely chopped
- 1 lemon – quartered
- 2 to 3 tablespoons coriander leaves – optional
Instructions
Cooking matar
- Soak the matar or dried white peas overnight or for 7 to 8 hours.
- Drain all the water. Pressure cook the soaked peas in 3 to 4 cups water, for 15 to 18 minutes on medium heat, until the peas are completely cooked and softened.
- When the pressure drops on its own in the cooker, then only open the lid.The peas should be fully softened. If they look undercooked, then add water if needed and pressure cook for some more minutes.
- If there is extra water and the mixture is thin or runny, then simmer for some more minutes until the peas preparation gets to a medium consistency.
- Mash some cooked white peas slightly with a wooden spoon. This helps in thickening the preparation.
- The soaked matar can also be cooked in a pan, but it will take a lot of time.
Preparing jaljeera masala
- Grind all the ingredients listed under jaljeera masala with ¼ or ⅓ cup water to a smooth and fine paste. Set aside.
Making matar curry
- In a pan, heat oil. On low heat, first brown the cumin seeds.
- Remove the pan from heat and place it on your kitchen countertop.
- Then, add the dry spice powders one by one – chaat masala, roasted cumin powder, amchur powder, red chili powder and garam masala powder.
- Stir to mix and immediately pour this mixture into the cooked matar or add the cooked matar to this mixture.
- Switch on the heat and let the matar get heated through for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Now, add the prepared and finely ground jaljeera masala and stir to combine.
- If the matar mixture looks dry, add some water.
- Cook the matar or peas curry till all the flavors get mingled, for about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Check the seasonings and add more black salt if required.
- You can make this and keep it aside till you prepare the Kulcha. While serving, reheat the matar curry.
- Top the matar curry with onions, tomato, ginger, chilies and coriander leaves. Squeeze some lemon juice on top and mix lightly. Serve with hot or warm Kulcha. You can even enjoy the Matar Chaat without the kulcha.
- Serve Matar Kulcha in bowls or plates.
Video
Notes
- Remember to use dried white peas which are in their shelf-period. Aged or older dried peas take plenty of time to cook.
- Always try to soak the peas overnight or for about 8 hours prior to cooking.
- These peas are cooked best in a stovetop pressure cooker or in the Instant pot.
- You can increase the spiciness in the dish by adding more green chillies or red chilli powder.
- Adjust the seasonings and spices according to your taste preferences.
- Instead of black salt, you can use edible rock salt, pink salt or regular salt.
Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)
This Matar Kulcha recipe from the archives first published in June 2013 has been republished and updated on December 2022.
Fail proof recipe… Whenever I make it with you recipe.. I get so many compliments
Thank you and nice to know.
Aapki recipe bahut hi acchi hoti hai .
Thank you.
Mazedar, chatpatta and so easy to make. Thanks a lot. Your recipes are always a hit!
Lovely words and thanks for the feedback and rating.
It’s an amazing, easy yet tasty recipe.
thank you.
Excellent taste, especially the jal jeera chutney.
hi dassana! there seems to be a typo error regarding oil.it isn’t mentioned in the ingredients list.
does one need to add salt whilst cooking matar?thanks
thanks meveera. i have missed adding oil quantity. will update the post. salt is not added. but you can add salt if you want. add less salt as later also salt is added.
Can I use pav instead of kulcha for serving. Will it work.
Thanks
rujuta, you can use pav instead of kulcha. matar gravy tastes good with pav also.
can I use chickpea instead of white peas as the latter is slightly unhealthy? If yes, then what is the amount of chole should I use?
Nayan, you can take approx 1 cup chickpea
Thnks for amazing recipe… tried it.. Nd just loved it
welcome jyotsna
If i dint soak the matar overnight, can you plz tell what to do?urgent plz
just soak them in how water for 2 to 3 hours.
The kulcha recipe is really good and healthy. I used only whole wheat flour to make it and it came out really well. Thanks
thanks ameeta for sharing this variation as well as the feedback. adding whole wheat flour is healthy. will give a try.
Hi,
I have tried very many recipes of yours and they have turned out perfectly suiting my families tastes. I love cooking too.. Have made matar kulche many a times but my husband says though close it’s not like what the guy on the streets of Delhi sells. Isn’t this recipe oil free??? Will try your version too…
thanks sridevi. some recipes are made sans oil and some with. its similar to the ragda recipe that is served with ragda patties in mumbai and even ragda is made with or without oil. i think the street versions have their own secret masala or spices which makes the difference. homemade food can never be as close as the ones that are served on the streets 🙂
Very true… And that’s the secret I would love to unearth…
sure sridevi and thankyou.
i want to use readymade jaljeera powder, can you please tell the amount of powder to be used?
thanks.
mix the jaljeera with 1/4 to 1/3 cup water and add to the cooked peas. add 1 to 2 tbsp. if you feel the taste not coming through, then you can add 1 tbsp more. begin with 1 tbsp first and then increase if you do not get the right taste.
Tried the recipe today, and it turned out excellent!!
Easy to prepare,and better than your street side bhaiya!
pleased to know this suneeti thankyou 🙂
This is the best matar kulcha recipe i have tasted. Was looking for a good recipe for a long time and found it on your website.
Have tried many of your other recipes too in the past, awesome job with the way you explain along with pictures. Makes it look very easy to try ?
thanks swapnil for sharing positive feedback on recipes. glad to know this.
Awesome recipes in ur websites made my life. Thank you soo much.
welcome neha
I love this recipe. It always does wonders to my in laws. Thank you for posting this one.
welcome himani
hello, off late I have been trying quite some of ur recipes and all of them have turned out really well. Mostly Sanbjis, that is instant. I have to try ur bread recipe . Love baking but my previous tries on bread was always a failure
thanks sudha. if you use a good quality yeast and proof it correctly. then 90% of your work is done. you just need to knead the dough well and leaven for the right period of time. do try baking breads at home. its creative as well as therapeutic.
Thank you so much… have a nice day..
welcome ankita
Can I use green peas instead of white peas in this recipe..the dish came out really well…thank for the recipe…take care
thanks ankita. yes you can use green peas. you can use both fresh or dried green peas. with fresh green peas, the taste will be different though.
Looks really yummy will try this recipe
Thanks Dassana. wonderful recipe
welcome naim
Ausome,,,,,i tried it’s really tasty, thums up…….
thanks misha
Great recipe Dassana.
Keep it going.
There is always room for ‘traditional’ Indian food in this world!!
thanks ajoy
I am already feeling hungry now…looks very tempting
OMG! you are making me hungry, dassana…..making this on Sunday…kids will love this.
I love kulchas, although not much of a fan of matar.. so everytime mom use to make kulchas it was chole-kulche for me. 🙂