By Aditi
January 25, 2026
A winter favourite from Varanasi's households, Matar Choora is prepared with fresh green peas and poha in their simplest form. Light and mildly sweet, this dish is extremely comforting during the winter season.
2 cups thin poha 1 cup fresh green peas (matar) 2 tbsp mustard oil or ghee 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 tbsp garam masala 1 tbsp red chilli powder 1 tsp amchur powder 1 small green chilli (optional) Salt to taste
Wash poha thoroughly under running water. Drain it fully and keep it for about 5 minutes.
Boil some fresh green peas with a pinch of salt until they turn soft but not mushy.
In a pan, heat mustard oil or ghee. Add cumin seeds to it and let them crackle gently, releasing a warm, earthy fragrance.
Add the boiled peas and green chilli to it. Sauté it briefly, letting the peas cover in the seasoning and deepen the flavour.
Now add garam masala, red chilli powder, amchur powder, salt and the washed poha to this. Mix everything gently on low heat.
Cover and cook for 2–3 minutes on a low flame. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with lemon wedges and a cup of tea.