Peas and Tomato Curry and Happiness

It's a little late to wish you a Happy New Year. Still I hope you all had a great time and have a truly wonderful, blessed year ahead. 
Our New Year was pretty low key, just the three of us at home, still it was nice. A bottle of champagne, The BEST pizza EVER - and it was home made! (recipe coming soon, I promise) chocolate truffles from Wholefoods (Surprisingly good. Surprising since it is vegan) and a movie in our pj's. 

I didn't even make a long list of resolutions to go and break in a week. Infact it was only today, as I was typing this post-my first, shiny new post of year 2012,  that I decided to make just one. 

No, this year I am not even going to bother resolving to hit the gym or to only eat salad. I know I would rather dance and jump around with my toddler than lift weights right now. It cracks me up that he's learnt to say "Shake it!"  and that most of his dance moves right now involve clapping or spinning around dizzily. 
I know that I will try to cook healthy food like this green peas curry in tangy tomato gravy that I will enjoy eating too, but sometimes I will want a slice of cake. 

Yes, this year I have only one resolution: To be happy. 

My dad told me once how he read somewhere- that even if you are not feeling happy, if you decide that you are and even if you act happy you can convince your brain that you are!
In other words, happiness is in your mind and you can make up your mind that you will be happy no matter how anxious, guilty, or just plain sad you feel. 
And if you are happy then people around you, you kids, your spouse will be happy and you end up uplifting your whole family, your workplace, heck maybe even the world! 
I really hope you try this easy and healthy peas curry. I am quite sure that it will make you happy -at least while you eat it :) 

Peas and Tomato Curry


Ingredients

• Tomatoes- 4 medium ( or use 1 can of diced tomato preferably fire roasted)
• Peas- ( 2 cups fresh or frozen or 1 tin -although fresh or even frozen peas taste better than tinned)
• Onion- 1 large 
• Green chillies- 3
• Bell peppers- 1 (optional) 
• Ginger paste- 1 tsp
• Garlic paste- 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
• Red chilli powder- 1 1/2 tsp (adjust according to spice tolerance) 
• Garam masala powder- 2 tsp
• Salt- 1 tsp or to taste
• Cream / Coconut milk / Yogurt - 1/2 cup (optional)

Preparation;

If using fresh tomatoes chop them into small cubes and keep aside including the juice

Chop the onions and bell peppers into small pieces. 

Place the chopped bell peppers in a broiler safe tray and broil in the oven  for about 5-10 mins till the skin wrinkles and is slightly charred in places. This step is optional but makes the bellpeppers sweet and flavorsome.

You can also char them on a direct gas flame using tongs. 

Slit the green chillies.

Wash the fresh peas. If using tinned peas drain the peas from the can and rinse them in fresh water several times.

Cooking

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a saucepan and saute the chopped onions till slightly brown. 

Adding the salt while frying the onions will make them wilt and fry faster. 

Add the ginger and garlic paste and fry till the raw smell is gone

Add the slit green chillies, turmeric, red chilli and garam masala powders and stir till the oil starts to separate and glisten on the onions

Add the tomatoes and stir occasionally till they are cooked through and coated in the masalas. 

You can add about 1/4 cup water and cook the tomatoes further until the water evaporates. 

Add the peas and about 1/4 cup of water and cook on low to medium heat until the peas are cooked and tender. 

Taste to check that it is seasoned with enough salt and add more if required.

Add the broiled bell peppers (if using) and the cream and leave to simmer for 5 mins. 

You can substitute the cream with coconut milk or yogurt. 
Garnish with a handful of chopped cilantro ( Optional) 


This basic recipe can also be used with other cooked vegetables like potatoes, carrots, cauliflower etc. and pairs well with rotis or even steamed rice or just piled on top of bread. Enjoy!


Oh and fun fact: Peas are legumes! So I get to send this deelicious curry to one of my favourite events: My Legume Love Affair hosted over at Chez Cayenne !