Tuesday

Quick Fix - Peas Stir-fry

Quick vegetable dishes or stir fries (for lack of a better word) like these were the norm during my student life. One would think regular dinners of microwave soups, bread and eggs and even cereal (I kid you not!) would spur us into making something a bit more substantial when we had the time, but both my friend and I were always keen on short cuts. Cooking seemed like a necessary chore at the time and we got it done by taking the least amount of effort possible!

Though it no longer seems like a chore (well... not always :-)) I still like short cuts in cooking. Nothing can get quicker than this dish - not a lot of chopping required, no grinding of masala involved, just a simple stir fry that goes well with everything - roti, rice-dal or our then favorite accompaniment - sliced bread.

peas2a

VATANA SUKKE/ USAL (Green Peas Stir Fry)
2 cups green peas
1 medium size onion, chopped fine
3 green chillies, slit
2 tbsp grated coconut
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
salt to taste
For seasoning -
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
a pinch of asafoetida
oil

Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds; once they begin to pop add asafoetida and cumin seeds. Let the cumin sizzle then add onion and chillies. Saute until the onion turns slightly golden.

Add peas and turmeric and season with salt. Add a little water and cook until peas are tender.

Sprinkle grated coconut and cilantro on top and serve hot.

29 Comments:

Blogger Lakshmi said...

nice dish, i haven't tried with coconut, will try.

5:21 PM  
Blogger Krithika said...

How lovely ! Such a nice healthy recipe ! Great pic

5:37 PM  
Blogger Nabeela said...

Oh Ashwini, I adore the nice pictures you take...not to forget the nice write-up.

6:56 PM  
Blogger Menu Today said...

Hi Ashwini,
Wow!!!! nice green colour. Excellent pic. Thanks

7:52 PM  
Blogger Meeta K. Wolff said...

simple and satisfying. love it in every way Ash! The green is invigorating to the eye too.

3:16 AM  
Blogger TNL said...

What a perfectly simple recipe! Great for busy weeknights! I too, love curries with bread - but only when I am by myself! (heheh)

Cheers,Trupti

6:48 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Are those fresh peas or frozen? Either way, they look so good.

8:15 AM  
Blogger Nidhi said...

Wow, I love this dish, very healthy and quick to make. Will try it as an appetizer as well.
Thanks..

8:44 AM  
Blogger Ashwini said...

Lakshmi, Krithika, MT, Meeta, Trupti - thanks
Nabeela - and I adore the nice things you say to me :-)
Gini - I used frozen peas. If you do too I would suggest not adding water to cook them.
Nidhi - its really tasty. Don't use petitie or sweet peas from supermarkets but the usual green peas. This tastes even better stuffed in sandwiches and grilled with cheese. Let me know how you like it

10:14 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Beautiful Picture as always Ashwini and what a super simple recipe. I have never tried stir fried peas yet, will give it a try soon.

11:15 AM  
Blogger Mandira said...

simple, easy and looks delicious too. to try on my list!

11:21 AM  
Blogger Meena Kandlakuti said...

nice recipe and very easy one..I love peas..my son too:-)

12:08 PM  
Blogger author said...

ashwini,whcih peas do you use.the frozen peas i buy from walmart just dont get infused with any taste,very bland tasting. do you blanch them or soemthing?

2:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Ashwini. I really think you should have your own book. The photos are so professional and so are the recipes.

BTW, I am making to ambat batata recipe today. :)

Anjali.

2:34 PM  
Blogger Catherine said...

beautiful picture! This sounds delish.

3:03 PM  
Blogger Ashwini said...

Priya, Mandira - let me know how you like it
Meena - thanks
Supriya - I don't buy peas from supermarkets, they always tend to be sweet. Try frozen peas from the Indian grocery store. They are still a tad sweeter than what we are used to but not bad. I rinse them once (not in warm water).
Anjali - you made my day!!!! Thanks for the kind words. Seriously though I am still learning, both cooking and photography :-) Let me know how you like ambat batata
Catherine - thanks

3:53 PM  
Blogger Vani said...

I'm looking for short cuts all the time too. Love the fact that this is so simple to make! Nice pic too.

7:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Photo is great Ashwini -- spectacular green! I love the frozen baby peas -- will try them this way, thanks!

8:34 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

wow..very easy and sooo colorful..should give a try

8:59 PM  
Blogger indosungod said...

Ashwini, the photo looks amazing, recipe is super easy, will try it.

5:36 AM  
Blogger The Culinary Chase said...

Oooooooh, this looks yummy! Great photo to put one in the mood for cooking! Cheers!

7:28 AM  
Blogger Ashwini said...

Vani, Linda, HariPriya, CC - thanks
Indo - let me know if you try it

9:44 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Awesome picture of peas stir fry, Ashwini!

11:21 AM  
Blogger FH said...

Simple but delicious dish!! Thanks..:))

1:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Ashwini,
A simple recipe packed with nutrients. Will definitely try it!

3:45 PM  
Blogger Ashwini said...

Sailu, Asha, Nalini - thanks
Rajesh - thanks. This dish is a very simple preparation, I am sure versions of it are made in all homes :-)

9:55 AM  
Blogger Shah cooks said...

Isin't life simple when u are a student?:)I make this often as my son loves the peas.Nice recipe and photo.

3:09 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Hey Ash,
Glad you liked the theme...With frozen peas this recipe seems pretty easy...I'd eat it just like that :)

6:13 AM  
Blogger pratYk said...

i've been using this for quite a while now .. never fails .. you could skip the onions though .. add boiled potato cubes (frozen ones work just fine :)) .. tastes purtty good :) ...
better than a cereal or a maggi dinner :D

12:20 AM  

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