Matar kulcha is the most popular and common thing you will observe on the streets and roadside dhabas of Amritsar, Delhi, or Punjab! So if you are craving Matar chaat or matar kulcha this season then you should opt for making this lovely delicacy for dinner or even as a hearth Sunday brunch. Spicy, crunchy, and scrumptious, you are surely going to love this wonderful dish! And guess what, with the tips that we have for you here, making a platter of kulcha and chana will be an easy thing for you to do!
Learn more about matar kulcha
Well, if you haven't tried kulcha at home before then you might be confused about how to get it right on your first attempt! Let us tell you, there is certainly a way to do that! All you need to do is go through the steps we have penned down for you and keep in mind the tips. As we know, matar is a word that is used to describe chana, while kulcha is a fluffy and thick dough bread that is often relished with this delectable bowl of chana curry. These are basically leavened flatbreads made with or without yeast.
So, first of all, you need to make the chana curry that you can enjoy with the kulcha or bhatura! Hence collectively, the entire dish is known as chana bhatura or matar kulcha! You need dried white peas to make the curry. This preparation is also known as Ragda in Mumbai. And if you are making it in the Punjabi style then you can call it Chana Bhatura.
You can opt for making the kulcha plain or try out something more spiced up like masala kulcha containing a stuffing. This could also be kulcha or paneer kulcha based on the type you prefer to make and enjoy for dinner. And when you are in a hurry and do not wish to indulge much in the kitchen, then plain kulcha or even the readymade frozen store-bought ones can be used as well.
Start off with the curry first! You can prepare it the day before and simply heat the bowl before you serve it with the kulcha! This is because you need to first soak the white peas and then boil, cook, etc which might take up a lot of time. Hence you can prepare the chana the day before and bake the kulcha freshly before the meal, serving both hot and crispy. If you are using the right methods, trust us your kulcha will remain soft for a while and you don't have to worry about struggling with them at the table.
If you are having a super busy day then you can prepare both chana and kulcha the day before. Simply before you serve, heat both things in a skillet and enjoy a warm meal.
The matar curry should have a thick consistency with gravy and mostly it is a bit spicy and hot although you can tame it based on your spice tolerance level. If you are planning for a refreshing Sunday breakfast and are not sure what can feature on the table, this matar kulcha recipe is what you need.
What is the basic difference between matar curry and ragda curry?
Well, both things are more or less the same and can be confusing for you to understand which it is that you are making. The most obvious difference between the two is that matar curry is a North Indian dish and consists of dried mango powder and a jaljeeri mix which gives the curry a spicy twist.
Ragda curry on the other hand is a dish that originated in Maharashtra and generally, the tangy flavors are avoided in such a curry.
Tips to make the best matar kulcha at home
If you are not sure about the matar kulcha as this is your first time, keep in mind these tips and tricks that we have for you here.
- Dried peas- The matar curry can be either prepared with fresh or dried peas, whatever you can get your hands on. However, the taste of fresh and dried peas can certainly vary.
- While cooking the peas- One can use an instant pot to prepare the peas curry because this way things will get done faster.
- Can you use chickpeas- Well, of course, why not? Chickpeas are a substitute for peas if the latter is unavailable.
- How long should you ideally soak the dried peas- It is okay if you forgot to soak the dried peas the night before, you can still soak it for three to four hours and that is more than enough.
Well, that was all about making matar kulcha! Hope you have a great time savoring the dish at home!