If you love dining at Indian restaurants, then it is very likely that you’ve enjoyed Mushroom Matar Masala. And what’s there to not love about this delicious dish? For one, because of its versatility, it goes great with both Jeera Rice and Parathas (stuffed flatbread). For another, the creamy texture, combined with peas and mushrooms, is as close to comfort food as one can get.
I used to love eating Mushroom Matar Masala regularly at our local restaurants. But over time, I started feeling bloated and yuck with the heaviness that dairy can bring. Turns out, my body was slowly but surely, reacting adversely to the quality of milk that restaurants used for their dairy sources. Who knows what the commercial cream was laden/laced with!
That was when I decided to make this dish at home – with ingredients I preferred, in the quantities that suited me. I skimmed raw cream from my raw milk and saved it in the freezer until I had enough accumulated. I used that cream to make this Mushroom Matar Masala. By the way, if you love non-homogenized, non-pasteurized raw milk, check out your local (United States only) source here.
Vegan Mushroom Matar (Peas) Masala
Vegan Mushroom Matar (Peas) Masala
As I got older, even this homemade dish with heavy dairy cream was not agreeing with my digestion (I couldn’t eat too much of it, and that totally bummed me out), so I stopped making this dish altogether. A few months back, I made this Thai Curry Vegetable Soup and had an open can of coconut milk left over. As luck would have it, I had cremini mushrooms as well. Of course, peas are a staple in the freezer.
On a whim, I decided to substitute coconut milk in lieu of dairy milk for this recipe.
The results turned out even better than the original recipe!! The dish was just as creamy as when made with dairy, but it was lot less taxing on the digestive system. We were able to enjoy the Mushroom Matar Masala once again.
I welcome you to try this recipe and I am sure you and your family will love it as well. Even if your system tolerates dairy well, this dish is a welcome change from the ‘same-old’.
Vegan Mushroom Matar (Peas) Masala Ingredients
A word about the ingredients:
Mushrooms: I have used brown cremini mushrooms. Experiment with white (baby Bella) or even wild mushrooms. It is sure to be delicious.
Peas: You can use frozen peas for this recipe. But if you love shelling peas, and you are lucky to live in a place where fresh peas are available, go for it. Nothing like fresh produce.
Coconut Milk: I use BPA-free, unsweetened, full fat cans for my coconut milk. Make sure your product does not have anything but coconut milk and water. Many manufacturers add guar gum to improve texture and shelf-life. I love this variety of Full Fat Coconut Milk.
Spices: It is the spices that make or break this dish. Make sure you use freshly ground spices. Ground spices that are stored for long periods in the pantry tend to either go rancid or lose their flavor along with the freshness. The spices are super-simple in this dish. Feel free to experiment.
Did you know that mushrooms exposed to sunlight are the only produce in the plant kingdom to have vitamin D? Mushrooms are also a low-calorie source of protein and antioxidants. Peas are full of fiber, vitamins C, E and zinc that help keep your immune system robust. The good fats in coconut keep you sated longer, without the bloated feeling that dairy sometimes brings. Together with healing spices, this dish can be enjoyed by most people with dietary restrictions.
Delicious Masala Recipes
Most people think “masala” is just one type of spice blend. Far from it! Masala can have different spices, blended in different quantities. Some masalas are dry roasted before being ground. Others are ground raw. The most popular spice blend is Garam Masala. But that’s not the only one. You can make dishes with your own masala blends. I have suggested several recipes that use unique (both delicate and pungent) masalas. Check them out.
- Masala Majjige | Spiced Buttermilk | Chaas
- Instant Pot Rajma Masala
- Dehydrated Masala Karela Chips
- Air Fryer Masala Wada – Lentil Burger Patties & Fritters
- Crispy Air-Fried Masala Okra
- Easy Mung Sprouts Masala
- Cabbage & Carrot Masala
- Mirchi ka Salan
- Sarson ka Saag
- Spicy Raw Carrot Pickle
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Vegan Mushroom Matar (Peas) Masala
Ingredients
- 4 Cups Mushrooms - Brown/Cremini, Baby Bella or Wild - Chopped
- 1 Cup Green Peas - Fresh or frozen
- 1 Teaspoon Himalayan Pink Salt - Or to taste
Masala Ingredients:
- 2 Teaspoon Avocado Oil
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic - Minced
- 1 Teaspoon Green Chili Pepper - Fine cut
- 1/2 Cup Onion - Fine cut
- 1/2 Cup Tomato - Fine cut
- 1/2 Teaspoon Coriander Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Cumin Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper - Freshly Ground
- 1 Teaspoon Dry Fenugreek Leaves (Kasuri Methi)
- 1/2 Teaspoon Garam Masala - Here's how to make your own
- 1 Cup Coconut Milk - Full fat, BPA-free cans
Instructions
To make the Masala:
- Heat oil in a pan. Add garlic, sauté for a few seconds. Add chopped onions and green chili. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent.
- Add chopped tomatoes and allow them to lightly cook for 2 minutes.
- Add turmeric, garam masala, coriander and cumin powders, kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves), and freshly powdered black pepper. Give everything a nice stir for a few seconds.
- Transfer the masala into a bowl. Empty coconut milk from the can.
- Blend the masala and coconut milk in a high-speed blender. Your masala is ready!
- In the same dish, add chopped mushrooms and salt and stir for 3 minutes on high heat.
- Add frozen peas and allow to cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Add the ground masala to the veggies. Mix well and allow everything to a gentle simmer.
- Serve with your favorite rice or flatbread. This dish will store well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
