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Matar ki Ghugni (Spicy Green Pea and Potato Stir-Fry) – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

Matar ki Ghugni (Spicy Green Pea and Potato Stir-Fry)

A quick and comforting take on the classic Ghugni from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, using sweet green peas and hearty potatoes. This simple, spicy stir-fry is a perfect hearty breakfast, light lunch, or satisfying snack.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 serving
Calories: 179
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml / 1 fl oz) olive, peanut, or mustard oil
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 g / 0.09 oz) whole cumin seeds
  • 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon (15 g / 0.53 oz) peeled and finely grated fresh ginger
  • 1–3 fresh hot green chilies, finely chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon (1 g / 0.04 oz) ground turmeric
  • 2⅓ cups / 350 g (12.3 oz) green peas, fresh or frozen
  • 1 medium waxy potato, about 4–5 oz / 125 g, boiled, peeled, and cut into ¾ inch dice
  • 1 teaspoon (6 g / 0.21 oz) salt, or to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • For an authentic Bihari flavor, use mustard oil. Heat it until it just begins to smoke before adding the cumin seeds to mellow its pungent flavor.
  • Use a waxy potato like Yukon Gold or red potatoes. Boil it ahead of time and let it cool completely; this helps the dice hold their shape during cooking.
  • If using fresh peas, parboil them for just 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp. If using frozen, thaw them under cool running water so they don't become mushy in the pan.
  • For a textural crunch, serve this Ghugni the traditional way with a side of 'chura' (crisped, flattened rice) or a sprinkle of sev.

Method
 

  1. Put the oil in a medium, preferably nonstick pan, and set over medium heat.
  2. When hot, add the cumin seeds.
  3. Let them sizzle for 10 seconds before adding the chopped onions.
  4. Stir and fry the onions for 5–6 minutes, or until they have softened and turned translucent.
  5. Add the grated ginger, green chilies, and turmeric.
  6. Stir continuously for one minute until fragrant.
  7. Add the peas, diced potatoes, salt, and pepper.
  8. Stir everything together for 2–3 minutes to heat through. If the mixture looks too dry, sprinkle with a tablespoon of water to create a little steam.
  9. Serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 179kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 5.7gFat: 7.1g

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