Did I tell you about the incident that happened a while ago? Well, I don't remember if I did or not, but wanted to share it anyway. One afternoon, while I was at lunch with my colleagues, I happened to get a call from Lax. It wasn't a call I would like to avoid nor take right then. I thought I shall manage and started talking to her.
My colleagues knew I was a foodie, I didn't want to confirm that my friends are too! I tried for the most time, managing with Aaa, Ohh..I am sure Lak thought I was crazy! But in the end, I couldn't manage without uttering Cookies, Bread and cakes, a couple of times.
When I was finally off the call, I could feel strange looks coming my way. I saw them looking at me very strangely. I managed to say " Ah that's my friend asking something." They wouldn't let me off until I explained. Ok, that's my friend, who baked a batch of Cookies and Brownies and wanted to drop them at my place. I saw their jaws dropping down! They asked why would she want to do that? Well you know, she wanted some guinea pig, so I am so graciously offered to help out' said I!
They said after looking at each other " err..aww..would your friend mind accepting two willing guinea pig by any chance? I shrugged unconcerned and said, "Yeah well, maybe. I shall ask her the next time I meet her. Well, technically I haven't met Lak after that incident! But I knew that's still top of my colleague's mind!
A couple of days back, after I got the kids to bed, I was back at the computer trying to figure out what to do next, when Athamma came to chat with me. While I was so blissfully glazing at the monitor, she was vigorously accounting for her adventure through the day! I could hear a couple of her words registering my mind, but I wasn't giving full attention to her until I heard a hubby dear yell from the other room! I turned and said well what's it Athamma?
Athamma: Well, I saw the lady in today's cooking show make some something with Custard and added Tomato Puree to it.
Hubby dear yelled back (from the next room) "Amma don't you dare think of making something like that!"
Me : (Well Athamma does get carried away). Ok, forget about that Custard, you tell me something now. Have we made all the breakfast dishes we know? Think of something that we may not have done?
Athamma (thinks for a moment): How about Poori and Potato Masala?
I gave up my diligence and turned to reply. Athamma, I make Poori about 4 times a month and potato masala obviously gets done at least once, you think I wouldn't post that?
Athamma (still pondering) How about Vankai Uurulagadda Kura?
Me: Athamma, that being your fondest dish, I obviously would've posted it
She gave me a couple more ideas, and I knew she was sleepy! I finally decided I am going to make those delicious peas stuffed pooris. I tell you, nothing can beat it!
As far as I know, this is a Bengali special, that I had on my first trip to Calcutta and again homemade ones during my second! And is made only with All purpose Flour/ Maida. I made with a mix of both atta and maida.
Preparation Time: 10 mins
Cooking Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: Bengali
For making : 8 pooris
Ingredients Needed:
For Pooris, Dough made with 1: 1 Maida & Atta
For Filling:
Dry / Fresh Peas - 1 cup
Ginger Garlic paste - 3/4 tsp
Red chili powder - 3/4 tsp
Amchur Powder (Dry Mango pw) - 1 /2 tsp
Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Oil - 1 tsp
Method to prepare:
If you are using fresh peas, you need not soak it. You can directly pressure cook it. If the peas are very fresh, you can use raw puree itself.
I used dry peas and soaked for 5 hrs. Pressure cook it with 1 cup water. Drain the peas, store the water for kneading the dough.
Once the peas are cool, grind to a smooth paste. Heat a pan with oil. Add the puree and all the masalas. Cook in the sim, till the peas, are well cooked. Have a look at the peas paste, as it tends to get burnt and stuck to the pan. Once it's well cooked, remove and allow it to cool.
Next knead the dough, with the remaining water, and keep it ready. Dough for the pooris should not rest for long.
Divide the stuffing into small balls. And repeat the same with the dough. Follow the steps as you do for any stuffed parathas.
Heat oil in a Kadai. The oil should be hot before you want to fry pooris. Gently slide the rolled out pooris. Lightly press on the pooris, so that it gets cooked on all sides. These do not puff because of the stuffing. When you are done on both sides, remove on a kitchen paper.
With just curds and Avakkai pickle, this was a plate of heavenly indulgence! This is the first time I making it for hubby dear and he liked it a lot. He said this has to be included in the regulars!
Nags says
oooh! the deep fried goodness just got better is it? 🙂 loved the recipe!
jayasree says
Liked the idea of peas stuffing. Am going to try it soon.
Kumudha says
This is new to me. Stuffed peas pooris sounds delicious!
A_and_N says
Great recipe! Will surely try 🙂
Vaidehi says
nice recipe !!
Jayashree says
Green peas mixed into the dough - nice one.
Divya says
Srivalli, what a funny post... Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Peas poori sounds right up my alley!
By the way, the "Athamma" you talk about in ur post... is that your mother-in-law? She seems like a cool lady! 🙂
Anjum says
most intresting blog i hav visited,u hav rrange of just everything my mind can even think of,fabulous job,i will try ur recipes soon
Simran says
Back home we make puris stuffed with ground urad dal. But the idea of matar puris sounds so fresh.
Sharmila says
It is called "matar kochuri" in bengali ... we usually make it with fresh green peas .. so mostly in winters ... they give a beautiful flavour.Maida tastes great ... but is difficult to roll out as the stuffing tends to come out ... so mixing a little atta is a good idea. 🙂
Divya Vikram says
Great post Valli..Nice idea of stuffing pooris..
Nirmala says
Lovely dish! with pickle it should have tasted excellent!
indosungod says
No way, that is one Poori I would love to get my hands on. Looks totally awesome.
Sia says
ROFL... in the name of blogging 😉 i could't help but relate to ur story so well.
the stufeed poori makes me hungry now. valli, why u do this to me!!! deep fried... a big NO-NO!!!
Divya says
Hey!
I have tagged you for a Meme, check out my blog under the latest post today.
Have fun doing it!
SriLekha says
i too prepare it in the same way! nice dish!
sra says
Valli, are you sure you aren't exaggerating? 🙂 Custard and tomato puree? I'm not sure it has sunk in yet, I don't even know what my reaction is!
Pearlsofeast says
Srivalli, Nice to read your post and I was drooling over puri,not had breakfast till now,so this would be great.My mom makes this one but we do it like parathas.
Ranjani says
YUMM! Those look great:) LOVE your stuffing too...
Vidhya says
Hi Shrivalli, this is my first visit to your blog. Poori looks yummy and your tom & jerry sketch looks cute too. have added u in my blogroll
Swati says
I know these matar kochuri as they are called in bengal.. taste awesome!!
dindintonight says
Sri, your puris look so delicious..i am starving right now and can't get your puri picture out of my mind!
Namratha says
Stuffed pooris, now that;s something I ought to try! Was fun reading your post 🙂
Latha Narasimhan says
Oh !! You have to talk about laks or lathamma in everyone of your posts! :)) HUGS HUGS!!
Lovely pooris! Will call you on monday, once I reach Chennai! 🙂
Anonymous says
/Athamma came to chat with me/
I am interested to chat with my family in India. Do you use Google Messanger? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Radha
Ramya says
Great recipe..I just made it for brunch today..
Came out well...Thanks for sharing..