Matar kheer - is a smooth , creamy texture milk based low calorie , healthy dessert made with green peas, flavored with cardamom , saffron and garnished with nuts .
It's a perfect dessert to indulge during weekends and festivals with family and friends.
I make this dessert in winter when green peas are in season . Few of my other favorite green peas recipes includes Methi Malai Matar , Paneer Matar and Hara Bhara Kebab
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About this recipe
Matar Kheer is a easy and delicious Kheer/ milk based dessert prepared from fresh or frozen green peas. This smooth , creamy and healthy dessert is made with just 4 main ingredients milk ,ghee, sugar and cooked green peas . Later flavored and garnished with cardamom , nuts and few strands of saffron.
Matar Kheer can be served either warm or chilled. But I love chilled dessert with all flavors of cardamom and saffron infused . This beautiful light green colored dessert is so delicious that you'll never realize that healthy tiny green edible emeralds are sneaked into this dessert.
Ingredients
To make this delicious and tasty green peas kheer all you need is only 5 basic ingredients an rest all other ingredients are add-ons to make it more delicious.
Green Peas - Though fresh green peas are used to make this dessert , in case if it's not available you can always make with frozen green peas also.
Whole milk - to make any kheer , I always prefer to use full cream milk for more rich and creamy texture. But you can anyways use low fat milk also to make this kheer.
Ghee / Clarified butter - It adds lots of flavor and makes kheer more tasty. For vegans, you can either use almond oil or coconut oil .
Sweetener - I used organic white sugar but unrefined sugar or powdered jaggery or any sweetener can be used to make this dessert.
Salt - Yes, I use a pinch to balance the flavors.
Flavorings - freshly pound cardamom powder works well in this recipe.
Nuts - pistachios , almonds and cashews are used.
Health benefits
Green Peas are fairly low in calories and contains good amount of antioxidants , vitamins and minerals. They are high in fiber and protein , hence it makes green peas a very filling food.
Also it has a low glycemic index ( Low GI ) , a most important factor to control blood glucose levels.
Green Peas should always be cooked well to ensure that the anti-nutrients ( Phytic acid and Lectins ) levels are reduced and doesn't hinders the absorption of nutrients to the body.
FAQ's
Can I use condensed milk in the recipe?
Yes, you can use about 4 tablespoon of condensed milk here . If you using condensed milk then be sure not to use any extra sweetener in the recipe.
How long can I store this ?
This recipe is good to stay in fridge for 2-3 days !
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Step by Step directions to make Matar kheer:
Boil 1 liter of milk in a thick bottom pot. Keep milk in a low flame and keep stirring and scraping the edges with a spoon , once in between.
Condense the milk to about 600 -700 ml , approximately around 3.5 - 4 cups and keep it aside.
Whilst , wash 1.5 cups of green peas fresh / frozen and place into a pressure cooker . Add ½ cup water and pinch of salt.
Close the pressure cooker lid and pressure cook for 2-3 whistles , allow the pressure to settle down on its own. Alternatively , you can also steam or boil it directly in water . Frozen green peas takes less time to cook when compared to fresh peas. I have used fresh green peas to make this kheer.
Open the pressure cooker lid , allow green peas to cool down. Transfer boiled green peas into a blender / mixer jar and blend to smooth puree.
Take a pan , add 3 tablespoon of Ghee/ Clarified butter .
Add green peas puree and mix well with ghee and sauté for 3-4 minutes, it starts to thicken.
Now add above prepared reduced milk , part by part and mix green peas puree with milk , such that there are no lumps.
Keep on low flame and stir the kheer once in between , till you see the specks of ghee on top.
Now add in sugar and mix well. Cook for 2-3 minutes and turn off the flame once desired consistency is reached. You can also keep it on stove for long to make it more thick. Mine was of semi thick consistency , not too runny nor too thick.
Turn off the stove and add ½ teaspoon of cardamom powder and chopped nuts. Mix in few saffron strands .
Mix well everything and serve warm or chilled.
Recipe Card
Matar Kheer | Green Peas Dessert
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Cups Green Peas, Fresh or Frozen
- ½ cup Water , to pressure cook
- 1 Salt Pinch , to pressure cook
- 1 litre Milk
- 4.5 - 5 tablespoon Sugar or as required
- 3 tablespoon Ghee / Clarified Butter
- ½ teaspoon Cardamom powder
- 1 tablespoon Badam / Almonds Sliced
- 1 tablespoon Pistachios / Unsalted pista , sliced
- 1 tablespoon Cashews , chopped , optional
- Saffron few strands
Instructions
- Boil 1 litre of milk in a thick bottom pot. Keep milk in a low flame and keep stirring and scraping the edges with a spoon , once in between.
- Condense the milk to about 600 -700 ml , approximately around 3.5 cups and keep it aside.
- Whilst , wash 1.5 cups of green peas fresh / frozen and place into a pressure cooker . Add ½ cup water and pinch of salt.
- Close the pressure cooker lid and pressure cook for 2-3 whistles, allow the pressure to settle down on its own. Alternatively, you can also steam or boil it directly in water .
- Open the pressure cooker lid , allow green peas to cool down.
- Transfer boiled green peas into a blender / mixer jar and blend to smooth puree.
- Take a pan , add 3 tablespoon of Ghee/ Clarified butter .
- Add green peas puree and mix well with ghee and saute for 3-4 minutes, it starts to thicken.
- Now add above prepared condensed milk , part by part and mix green peas puree with milk .
- Make sure to combine puree with milk , such that it gets blended well and lumps are seen.
- Keep on low flame and stir the kheer once in between , till you see the specks of ghee on top.
- Now add in sugar and mix well.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes and turn off the flame once desired consistency is reached. You can also keep it on stove for long to make it more thick.
- Add ¼ teaspoon of cardamom powder , chopped nuts and few saffron strands .
- Mix well everything and serve warm or chilled.
Video
Notes
- Consistency of this dessert is not too runny nor too thick. Variations in cooking time , yields thin or thick kheer/dessert
- I used 4.5 tablespoon of Sugar , It was just perfect Not too sweet nor too light. Adjust sugar to suit your taste buds.
- Condensing milk gives you a richer taste and mild sweetness too. You can use milk without condensing also , but it may not give you that creamy rich flavour.I insist you to condense the milk.
Anonymous says
Hey do you read minds....? I was thinking of this and saw your post! I'm doing this weekend!