Safed Matar ki tikki(Shallow Fried dry Yellow peas Patties)

Safed matar ki tikki is a shallow fried tikki (patty) which is made from dry yellow peas.It is not so common version of chaat (A savory snack and a street food) as aloo (potato) tikki is most popular and commonly available.This gives enough reason to call it a delicacy.I first got its taste in the city of Nawabs…. Lucknow and I have not come across any place other then Lucknow where safed matar ki tikkis are available and therefore very much justifiable to be called as a speciality from Awadh.The tikkis are simple to make and turn lip smacking when served with a sprinkle of chaat masala with a dash of lime juice topped with some freshly chopped coriander,green chilies ,onions and ginger.Matar tikki, a good source of protein can serve to be a good snacking option for diabetics and the people who tend to avoid carbohydrates in their dietary regime.The dish is worth giving a try and thus the recipe follows below.

Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup dry yellow peas
Salt to taste
Black salt to taste to sprinkle on tikkis before serving
1 tbsp coriander seeds
3-4 dry whole red chilies
1 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp black salt
1 tbsp chopped coriander
1 tbsp chopped onion
1/2 tsp green chili chopped
1/2 tsp ginger chopped
2 tbsp cornflour
Oil/ghee

Method:

Soak peas overnight or for at least 6 hours.
Dry roast ,cumin seeds,coriander seeds and whole red chilies and grind them together once they cool down to make roasted spice powder.
Pressure cook soaked peas in 2 cups of water for 4-5 whistles.
Release the pressure and check the peas.If there is excess water then cook with lid open till excess moisture evaporates till peas appear like a mash.
Take out the pea mash in a plate and let it cool down.
Add the roasted spice powder reserving some to be used later,chopped onions,chopped coriander,chopped chilies, chopped ginger,salt to taste and cornflour .

Mix well and divide the dough into portions of tikki (cutlet) size.Roll each portion and shallow fry in medium hot oil.
Serve hot sprinkled with some chopped onions,roasted spice powder,black salt and a dash of lime juice.