Best Breakfasts! Banarasi Chura Matar ki Tehri!

Namaste from EL The Cook!

Today we take a look at traditional Indian breakfasts. This recipe is inspired by street food vendors in the colourful and holy city of Banaras or Varanasi!

Chura or Pohe is beaten rice 

Matar is green peas

Tehri is a Pulao/ Pilaf

Often a speciality during the cold winters of North India, this dish beats any breakfast cereal with its flavour, fragrance and color! Served with a helpful dose of masala chai, this dish is really a stand out for us on a traditional Indian breakfast scene dominated by Kellogg's, Dosas and Idlis.

A completely different taste from the traditional Maharashtrian "Kanda Pohe"  this recipe is loaded with desi ghee when you have it at the street vendors stalls which really warms up your appetite! We have toned it down for a healthy home setting.. We've also added a sweet element, with  raisins to amplify those rich wintery textures. 

So here's what you need to try out our delicious Banarasi inspired breakfast..

INGREDIENTS: (Serves 2)

(Cook Time : 25 minutes)

• 1 1/2 cups of pohe or flattened rice
• 1/2 cup green peas, blanched
• 2 teaspoons sabut jeera/whole cumin seeds
• 1 inch piece of ginger, finely chopped
• 2 green chilies finely chopped
• 1/2 cup coriander/ cilantro , stems and leaves,finely chopped.
• 1 small tomato finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon black pepper ground
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon ghee or clarified butter
• 2 tablespoon raisins

KITCHEN EQUIPMENT:

• Large kadhai / wok
• Large bowl
• Chefs knife
• Cutting board
• Serving Plates

METHOD:

• Rinse the chura/ pohe in large bowl with water. Drain well and soak for 15 minutes.
• Heat ghee in a large kadhai, add cumin, ginger and green chilies. 
• When the cumin crackles add the tomato, black pepper and turmeric powder.
• Now add the blanched peas, sugar, salt and coriander stems. Let it simmer with about 25 ml of water for 5 minutes. Cover the kadhai.
• Uncover, add the chura, and mix well.
• Now add the coriander leaves and lime juice. Cook for another 10 minutes or until the chura is soft to touch.
• Garnish with the raisins.

Enjoy this heart-warming breakfast, with a hot cup of masala chai! 

EL The Cook recommends you try this quick, simple and flavoursome breakfast, to experience flavours of Banaras!