Try This Piquant Mathri Recipe for an Easy Snack!

Feb/26/2023 / by Melanie Fourie
Mathri Recipe
Image credits: Wikimedia Commons

Food from Rajasthani known as “Mathri” North-west India is known for its flaky biscuits. Now, mathi, or mathri, as it’s often referred to, can be found in almost any Indian confectionery store. Carom seeds may be used as an optional ingredient. Mathri is a type of cookie from the north-west area of India that is both fluffy and crunchy. Many people in North India enjoy it as an afternoon tea snack, or as a component of their wedding meal, and it’s especially common during religious holidays like “Karva Chauth” and “Diwali.” Mathris were a popular snack and treat prior to the rise of biscuits in the early twentieth century.

Tea and pickles accompany Mathri’s mango, chilli, or lemon garnish. Traditionally, it’s a part of Hindu celebrations like pujas. There are a variety of Mathri kinds, some of which include spices to enhance flavour and crispness, such as “Masala Mathri,” “Punjabi Mathri,” and “Methi Mathri.

Is Mathi Healthy?

To a certain extent, yes, so do eat in moderation. Reason being is that it contains oil and maida (white flour) which could be fattening and bad for those of you with high cholesterol and weight gain issues. Mathi does however have certain healthy components, like cumin seeds and ghee for example. I’ll discuss some of the wellness benefits of cumin here.

Antioxidants are included in this food

Antioxidants are found in abundance in the seeds of cumin. This implies that the small free radicals that assault healthy cells are thwarted by apigenin and luteolin (the chemical names for these compounds). Antioxidants improve your overall health and vitality, as well as the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of ageing.

It’s able to fight cancer

According to certain research, cumin seems to have the capacity to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Rats given cumin were shown to be less likely to develop colon cancer in one research. Other research has shown that basil and cumin are the most potent anticarcinogen herbs and spices.

Diarrhoea may be helped by this

Cumin has long been advocated as a remedy for diarrhoea by specialists in traditional medicine. Cumin’s anti-inflammatory properties are becoming more well known in Western medicine.

Rats suffering from diarrhoea were given an extract of cumin seeds as a treatment…. Their symptoms were alleviated by the extract.

Improves blood sugar regulation

An natural medicine study for diabetes used cumin as a component. People with diabetes were able to properly control their disease because to the medicine.

Cumin consumption was proven to aid diabetic animals in lab trials as well. Cumin oil is well recognised as a hypoglycaemic agent.

Combats the growth of bacteria and other parasites in the body

Cumin seed oil has been utilized as a larvicide and antibacterial for centuries. Even germs impervious to conventional antiseptics are killed by the oil. Researchers think that cumin may be able to assist your immune system fight off hazardous microorganisms. The use of cumin as a food preservative goes back centuries, which might explain why it is so popular.

Has a calming impact on the body

Cumin seeds include anti-inflammatory and antibacterial active compounds. This implies that consuming cumin in moderation may help alleviate pain and inflammation, both of which can be precursors to more serious health issues.

The anti-inflammatory qualities of cumin’s essential oil were shown to be ineffective when used alone. Research on mice showed that the cumin seeds themselves helped to minimise swelling and swelling-related discomfort.

Reduced cholesterol may occur when consuming cumin seeds

Elevated fat levels may damage your heart and raise your cholesterol, therefore a hypolipidemic drug assist your body lower those levels. The hypolipidemic effects of cumin are well accepted.

According to research conducted, adding cumin powder to yoghurt as a dietary supplement resulted in lower cholesterol. Cumin was shown to lower cholesterol in different persons.

Promotes weight loss 

Cumin’s ability to aid weight loss has been studied by a number of different research groups. More investigations are required, but the first findings are encouraging. Cumin powder with a nutritious diet improved the health of obese women. Their weight and other essential details come from a reliable source. Another research revealed that obese men people of all ages improved where weight loss was concerned.

Eliminates Irritable Bowel Syndrome indicators

Several studies have examined the efficacy of cumin extract in alleviating symptoms of IBS such as cramps, intestinal spasms, vomiting, and gas . One research study found that individuals who took cumin extract had relief from these symptoms for the duration of the study. Cumin is so effective that experts believe it might be a viable alternative to pricey IBS medications for those who cannot afford them.

Enhances your memory

Cumin may aid your body by increasing the efficiency of your central nervous system. As a consequence, you may have improved memory and coordination in your limbs. A possible benefit of cumin in treating Parkinson’s disease is that it aids in the proper functioning of the neurological system.

How to Make Decadent Mathri

What You’ll Need

Ingredients:    

  •     2 cup Maida    
  •     1/4 cup Semolina    
  •     2  tsp Salt    
  •     1/2 tsp whole Black Peppercorns    
  •     1 tsp Cumin seeds    
  •     1/8th tsp Baking Powder    
  •     2 tbsp Curd    
  •     7 tbsp warm Water    
  •     4 tbsp melted Ghee   
  • Frying oil  

Technique For Making Mathri

  • A basin of cumin, maida, crushed pepper and baking powder is all that is needed to make this dish.
  • Make breadcrumbs out of the ghee by rubbing the mixture between your hands.
  • Make a flexible but firm dough by combining the curd with water.
  • Set the dough aside for half an hour, covered with a moist towel.
  • Spread out all of the dough spheres once they have been divided into smaller halves.
  • A knife may be used to pierce the disc 5-6 times.
  • In a kadhai, heat the oil.
  • Over medium heat, fry the rolled mathris.
  • Make sure the rounds don’t get golden; they should always be a light gold colour.
  • Drain on towels and repeat the process a second time.
  • Fry all of the mathris in the same manner.

A Few Tips to Consider

  • To create triangles, spread out each part of dough into a circle about five inches in diameter, fold it on one side, and then fold it on the other side again to form a triangle.
  • Mathri takes longer to prepare since it has to be deep fried at a low temperature.
  • Mathri will not be crispy if the dough is too mushy.
  • This crispy snack has a Punjabi flair due to the addition of kasuri methi. 
  • Instead of carom seeds and kasuri methi, you may use cumin seeds and sesame seeds as well.

FAQs

For how long can we store mathi? 

You may store mathi for 30 days or more. Please ensure that this is placed in a properly sealed canister.