Methi Chaman is a delectable side dish from Kashmiri cuisine. A no onion garlic, cubes of cottage cheese are dunked in a spinach and fenugreek gravy to give the classic dish. The slight bitterness of fenugreek leaves blends well with spinach puree and the topping of cream to give a good taste.
What is Methi Chaman?
Methi Chaman is a popular accompaniment from Kashmiri cuisine. Methi is fenugreek and chaman relates to cottage cheese in Hindi language. It is a no onion garlic recipe prepared by the Kashmiri pundits. It is mainly prepared during festivals and ceremonies. Both, fenugreek leaves and spinach leaves are used in the gravy. Spinach helps to balance the bitterness caused by methi leaves.
Difference between Palak Paneer and Methi Chaman
At the first glance, one cannot really make out whether it is methi chaman or palak paneer. Palak Paneer belongs to the North Indian cuisine. Palak paneer is prepared using spinach leaves along with onion, garlic and tomato. Methi Chaman is from the land of Kashmir. Here, both fenugreek and spinach are used, the authentic recipe does not use onion and garlic. But, today most people add them.
Winter greens
Come winter, and it is a joy to enjoy the wonderful weather. Fresh vegetables of all kind are available in plenty. Spinach, fenugreek, dill, mint are available regularly. Winter is the best season to enjoy good food. Alu Palak or Palak kofta curry is ideal with kulcha. I often use fresh fenugreek leaves to make this methi delight, it tastes awesome. The dry stir fry using tur dal pairs well with jowar roti.
methi chaman
About the event:
Winter Fresh Vegetables is the theme for November at Shhh Secretly Cooking Challenge group. The theme was suggested by Preethi of Preethis Cuisine. I loved her Thai soup that she recently shared in our fortnightly event. My partner for this theme was Rafeeda AR, she gave me fennel powder and cream as the secret ingredients and I have prepared this dish. Cumin and milk were the secret ingredients given by me and she has prepared the delicious Spinach soup.
Methi Chaman Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 cluster fenugreek
- 1 cluster spinach
- 4 green chilli
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 big cardamom
- 2 small cardamom
- 3 clove
- 1 inch cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon dhania powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- salt
- 2 tsp cream
- 15 cubes of paneer
Method:
- Blanch the fenugreek and spinach leaves.
- Make a puree with green chillies.
- Take mustard oil in a pan, add cumin. As it splutters put black cardamom, green cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf.
- Continue, with turmeric powder, coriander powder, fennel powder, sugar and salt. Saute on low flame until the spices gives a good aroma.
- Now, put the puree that was prepared earlier.
- Adjust consistency, by adding some water.
- Finally, add cream to it.
- In a small pan, deep fry the paneer pieces and put them into it. Alternatively, paneer may be used by just thawing and boiling in water.
- Serve Methi Chaman with roti, phulka or naan.
Methi Chaman
Ingredients
Method
- Blanch the fenugreek and spinach leaves.
- Make a puree with green chillies.
- Take mustard oil in a pan, add cumin. As it splutters put black cardamom, green cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf.
- Continue, with turmeric powder, coriander powder, fennel powder, sugar and salt. Saute on low flame until the spices gives a good aroma.
- Now, put the puree that was prepared earlier.
- Adjust consistency, by adding some water.
- Finally, add cream to it.
- In a small pan, deep fry the paneer pieces and put them into it. Alternatively, paneer may be used by just thawing and boiling in water.
- Serve Methi Chaman with roti, phulka or naan.
Methi Chaman
f you ever make any of these recipes, take a picture and share it by tagging @foodiejayashree on Instagram or @evergreendishes on Facebook. I will be glad to see and share your creation further.
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Love this recipe with seasonal greens.definitely planning to try out soon
Definitely planning to try this recipe with seasonal greens.lovely indeed
Methi is my favourite winter green, and this is a brilliant way to use it in. The Methi Chaman looks super flavourful and delicious. Definitely trying this out!
This recipe is really a very delicious one from the Kashmiri Cuisine. I have tasted it in Kashmiri Brahmin dhaba also. Mustard oil takes it to a different level altogether. Love it.
Methi is one of our favorite greens and this methi chaman looks so delicious and healthy. Looks so creamy and need some hot hot chapati to enjoy these.
Methi chaman looks scrumptious. So nutritious and wholesome. Perfect accompaniment with phulka , roti and chapati.
Methi chaman looks absolutely delectable! Such a nutritious and healthy wholesome dish with fresh greens.
this si such a wonderful recipe. I would love to try methi chama based on your recipe with some hot phulkas, yum.
we love this with roti / hot tandoori naan.. winter perfect dish 🙂
This is such a flavourful dish with fresh seasonal spinach and methi.. I will love to finish it off with hot garlic on side.. perfect share for the current weather.
My sister in law who is married to a Kashmiri Brahimin makes methi chaman whenever we visit her. Its such a flavorful and delicious sabji. And an excellent way to enjoy winter fresh fenugreek.
ahaaa such an interesting recipe from Kashmiri cuisine !!
love the goodness of fenugreek and spinach in this curry…
I have never tried the combination of methi leaves and spinach. This is such a wonderful recipe. Would love to try it.
Thanks for pointing out the difference between methi chaman and palak paneer. The dish looks delicious and yummy and perfect with some roti.
Would enjoy this with hot rotis and some raita . The flavors In kashmiri cuisine is simply superb
I love methi and so will definitely want to try making methi chaman. Looks awesome will love it with hot rotis.