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


Tomato and Peas curry

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 !

18 comments:

  1. I'm loving your pictures Rose, my fav is the first one. Yes, at the end of the day, being happy is what matters most--exactly what I wish for too, this year :) Girl, pea looks mouthwatering!

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  2. looks like a nice one pot meal too :) lovely resolution ...

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  3. i have decided to have more veggie dishes and hope that happens..so thsi dish is def on the charts :)
    happy ny rose

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  4. aaha- the best resolution ever rose ! Wishes for a great 2012 ! and the pea curry looks swell

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  5. Oh my...thats my fav dish. Loved it

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  6. Thatz one lovely resolution..Guess i will also join the Be happy club:-)
    Peas curry looks very colorful and tangy...I bet that must have made u really happy:-)

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  7. Yummy curry, seriously i can have it some rice, lovely resolution..Wishing you a happy new year..

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  8. Happy New year I agree totally to you dad. I have not made any resolution for my weight issue, if i do that it will make me miserable.

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  9. Rightly said. Staying happy is always important. We go through so many personal stresses and for some work stress and everything together take a big toll on your life. It should be a conscious thing to remind ourselves that life is much happier if we don't complain about trivial things that bother us.

    Healthy peas curry - always on my list. Yum!!! To make me even more happy, we should meet soon Roseeey :-) :-) :-)

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  10. Looks yumm..i am totally love with your first picture mags...

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  11. Happy New year to you too.Curry sounds so simple and delicious.

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  12. Nice post, thanks for sharing..., Your content very usefull for me:)
    Thanks ya, diet program

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  13. Once again happy new year rose, how cute to see the little ones shaking their bums, my friends baby girl who 1+ yrs she enjoy dancing and ringa ringa roses (nursery rhymes) but puts us to great laughter! glad you had a great eve, it was pretty much same with me and mom with champagne and pasta. curry looks something for soul!

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  14. That's a lovely curry you've made! Thanks for sending your recipe to My Legume Love Affair.

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  15. thats so true! just the thought of being happy is enough to convince the brain.. lovely pics :)

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