MATAR KACHORI

Lilva kachori is a big thing in our house. It is traditionally made from Tuvar na lilva (Fresh pigeon peas). However, my Nani would make vatana (fresh green peas) kachori which is one of my favorites. As a kid, my vacations were at my Nani’s house and she used to always make these kachoris for me. I tried to make this recipe like my Nani and if she would have been with us today, she would have been proud of me. I hope you like this recipe as much as I do.

Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 40 mins | Total Time: 50 mins | Yields: 8 Kachoris

Ingredients:

Dough:

• 1 cup Maida (All-purpose flour) 
• 2 ½ tbsps. ghee (clarified butter)
• Salt to taste
• Water as needed

Filling:

• 2 cups fresh peas
• 2 cups finely chopped cilantro
• ½ tsp sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp jeera (cumin seeds)
• ½ tsp hing
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2tsp green chili paste
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp garam masala
• ¼ tsp cinnamon powder
• ¼ tsp clove powder
• ¼ tsp black pepper powder
• 2 tbsps. oil + more to grease/brush

Directions:

Dough:

1. In a mixing bowl, mix the flour, ghee, and salt (should be a crumbly mix). Add little water and mix. Add more water and knead the dough. It should soft and firm (it should not be sticky, Cover and keep aside.

Filling:

1. In a blender, crush the peas into a coarse mix.
2. Heat a pan, add 2 tbsp oil. Once the oil is hot, add jeera. Now add the sesame seeds and hing and mix. Now add the crushed peas and cook for 2 mins. 
3. Now add the salt, sugar, green chili paste, and garam masala. 
4. Now cook on a medium flame till all the moisture is evaporated. Turn the stove off.
5. Let the mixture cool and then add the cinnamon powder, clove powder, black pepper powder, lemon juice, and mix everything.
6. Once the mixture is at room temperature, add in the chopped cilantro.

Next steps:

1. Take the dough and divide them into 8 equal-sized balls.
2. Now take one and with the help of a rolling pin, roll them into a 3-4” diameter disc. (the poori should be medium thick)
3. Now take a spoonful of the filling and place it in the middle of the poori.
4. Bring together all the edges in the center and join them. Then press them downwards towards the center. This step is much like the way we do for stuffed parathas. make sure there are no open gaps. 
5. Repeat this for the remaining. cover all the prepared kachori in a damp cloth and keep aside till all are done.
6. Preheat the air fryer (option for potatoes 350°F – 22 minutes0
7. Grease the air fryer basket and place the kachoris in it. (mine fit all 8)
8. Brush the kachori with some oil.
9. Air fry them for 22 mins or till golden brown.
10. Once done, transfer them to a plate and enjoy them with some spicy cilantro chutney.

Notes:

• You can fry them like they are done traditionally. 🙂
• If you are a fan of tuvar lilva, you can follow the exact recipe. Just swap peas with Tuvar.
• If you don’t find fresh green peas, you can use the frozen ones. Make sure they are thawed.