Matar kulcha is a type of gently leavened flatbread loaded with dried white peas. Kulchas originated in Northern India as a variation of naan, essentially making it a Punjabi-styled naan. Traditionally kulchas are prepared plain and paired with a type of curry, either vegetarian or meat based, making them a versatile dish to serve at meals.
Simply make one batch of kulcha and two different curries, and everyone will have something they can enjoy. Packing this for lunch? Make sure you carry it in an insulated lunchbox or storage container.
Health Benefits
Kulchas have many health benefits in common with naan. It is a good source of iron and vitamin B, niacin, thiamine, and riboflavin. If you choose to make a whole-wheat variation, you can gain a surplus of the necessary daily requirements for magnesium, phosphorus, thiamine, and niacin. Beyond the nutritional values, kulchas provide your body with probiotics, which aid digestive health and help prevent indigestion. The sauces and spreads that normally accompany kulchas also provide supplemental health benefits.
Ingredients
cups dried whitepeas—soaked for 8 hours in hot water.: 1 1/2
medium onions – finely chopped: 2
tsp cumin seeds: 1
chopped tomatoes: 2
tsp dried mango powder: 1/4
tsp cumin powder: 1/2
tsp Kashmiri chilli powder: 3/4
tbsp tamarind chutney: 4
salt to taste
tbsp lemon juice: 2
A pinch of freshly ground pepper
tsp rock salt: 1 1/2
A split green chili--for garnishing
A handful of finely chopped coriander leaves—for garnishing
How To Make Matar Kulcha
- Pressure cook soaked peas. Once the pressure resales, transfer cooked peas to a bowl and mash them slightly.
- In a pan over medium flame, heat oil, and splutter cumin seeds. Saute onions until transluce and add tomatoes; continue to stir until the tomatoes are slightly mushy. Season with salt, Kashmiri chilli powder, dried mango powder, cumin powder, and a pinch of freshly ground pepper. Stir to combine.
- Add lemon juice, more rock salt, if required, split green chilli and coriander leaves to garnish.
- Serve alongside hot kulchas!
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Trivia
Green peas are known by a lot of names. In Hindi as “Matar”, In Telugu as “batani”, in Tamil as “Pattani”, in Malayalam as “Pacha Pattani”, In Gujarati as “Vatana”, and in Marathi as “Mattar”.