Rainbow Chard and Peas in Creamy gravy. Chard /Methi Matar Malai Vegan. Dairy-free creamy greens & peas w/ indian spices, somewhat like spinach dip. Gluten-free Soy-free Recipe

Starting up the new year with another favorite restaurant style Indian curry preparation! vegan-ized, healthy-fied and simpli-fied with the same authentic flavors. Methi Rainbow Chard Malai Mutter.



Fenugreek(Methi) plant is used in several ways in Indian cuisine. The seeds frequently used in cooking as spice (in Tempering/tadka eg Kadhi– Spiced Yogurt gravy), added to pickles, or to Dosa crepe batter to help the fermentation. The leaves or plant used as a vegetable (Aloo Methi – Potato and bitter greens), and herb (dried or fresh leaves) added to soups and stews(Dal Tadka, Dal Makhani). Fenugreek also has cleansing and medicinal properties. Fenugreek is a tropical plant so it is difficult to find the fresh greens around here (found infrequently in the Indian stores around Seattle).



The leaves and seeds are known for their distinctive bitter taste. One of my favorite ways to eat Fenugreek used to be Methi Malai Mutter (Fresh Fenugreek greens and Peas in creamy buttery gravy). The gravy obviously had a good amount of cream, butter and sometimes grated Paneer(cottage cheese). This version of course, does not use any of that and also uses Rainbow chard which is much more easily available in the Northwest. Some dried Fenugreek leaves help add the Methi flavor and result is amazingly delicious. Hence, Chard Malai Mutter! Think a spinach artichoke dip but more of a side. You can serve it like a dip with chips too. Spiced Indian style greens, peas and cream dip.



Add this restaurant style Indian curry to your 2014 must make Indian food list!





The dried leaves(Kasoori Methi) can be found in any Indian store or online on amazon. The seeds are much easily available in most health stores.



More Vegani-ized Indian curries, Dals, Beans, Chickpeas and Stews and dry veggie curries can be found under Main Course India category on the blog here.



Steps:



Saute the onion, ginger, garlic and chili.







Add chard and spices and cook until wilted.







Add peas and methi and cook for 2 minutes.







Add the cream,salt and sugar and mix well.







Bring to a boil. Mix in Kasmiri garam masala and serve hot.







