Bengali matar kachori or motor shutir kochuri is one new dish that we have got addicted to after luchi, aloor dum and cholar dal.

The motor shutir kochuri as it is called in the bengali language, is made with green peas stuffing. the stuffing is very mildly spiced so that the flavors of the green peas come through. the outer covering of the kachori is not flaky or khasta like the other indian kachoris. the dough that is used is similar to the luchi dough and is made with all purpose flour or maida.

Recipe Type Veg.

Ingredients for the kachori dough:

• 2.5 cups maida or all purpose flour
• 2 to 2.5 tbsp ghee or oil
• water as required
• salt as required

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. in a bowl add the flour, salt and ghee or oil.
2. mix everything so as to incorporate the ghee or oil through the whole flour.
3. add water in intervals and knead to a smooth and soft dough.
4. cover the dough with a wet napkin and keep aside for 30-45 minutes at room temperature.
5. rinse the shelled or frozen peas.
6. take them in a grinder or blender.
7. grind to a semi coarse consistency without adding any water.
8. if not able to grind in your mixer or grinder, then add 1 or 2 tsp of water.
9. peel the cardamom and powder the seeds in a mortar-pestle till finely ground.
10. heat oil in a small pan.

11. on a low flame, add all the spice powders one by one - cumin powder, cardamom powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder and asafoetida.
12. fry for 2-3 seconds.
13. then add the ground peas, sugar and salt.
14. saute for 3 minutes.
15. stir continuously.
16. add the besan or gram flour and saute for a further 2-3 minutes with continuous stirring.
17. take the stuffing in a bowl or plate and let it cool.
18. prepare small balls from the stuffing and keep aside.
19. before making the kachoris, heat oil for deep frying in a kadai or pan.
20. make lemon sized balls from the dough and cover with a wet kitchen napkin.
21. take one ball and flatten it with your palm.
22. apply some oil to it on both sides.
23. place the ball on the rolling board and roll to a 3 inches diameter circle.
24. keep the stuffing in the center.
25. bring all the edges of the dough and press them together.
26. apply some more oil if required and roll the stuffed kachori to a circle of 4 to 5 inches circle.
27. if the dough tears, then patch that spot with a small piece of dough and roll on that part gently to even it.
28. drop a small piece of dough in the oil and if it comes steadily from the bottom to the top, then the oil is hot enough for the kachoris to be fried.
29. gently drop the kachori in the hot oil.
30. with a slotted spoon, apply gentle pressure on the kachori to help it to puff up, like we do while frying pooris.
31. when one side is done and all puffed up - you will see that the oil has stopped sizzling.
32. turn over and fry the other side.
33. you can turn over twice and fry for a few seconds too.
34. when the matar kachori appears crisp and pale creamish golden, remove from the slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper towels.
35. serve motor shutir kochuri plain or with yogurt or any chutney or with aloor dum or cholar dal.

Enjoy!