Methi Muthia – Low calorie version
Muthias are basically savoury dumplings, steamed and pan-fried. They can be eaten as snacks and also serve as toppings for pulao too. Extremely healthy as they are steamed, you may also slightly shallow fry them to get a crispy snack. The ingredients for muthias remain the same, but the addition of veggies can be quite interesting. Today I made it with fenugreek (although this is also made with lauki / bottle gourd too) and also added blanched baby spinach for extra punch.
The name “muthia” apparently comes from the Gujarathi word “Muthi” which means fist and these dumplings are made into cylindrical rolls using the fist. Generally muthias are deep fried, but I have steamed them and sautéed them here for an equally tasty snack. Gujarati cuisine has so many varieties of snacks to choose from, not limited to:
- Edada (Safed Dhokla)
- Khatta Dhokla
- Amiri Khaman (made with leftover Khaman)
- Cabbage Dhokla
- Oondhiyoo
What are the variations to making Methi Muthia
- It can be deep fried too and eaten as a snack or topped on Undhiyos
- You can use a mix of Jowar (Sorghum) and Besan (gramflour) for a Gluten free version (steaming / cook times may vary)
- You can use Lauki / Carrots too in place of the methi leaves.
Benefits of Methi leaves
- Low calorie : 1 cup of fenugreek leaves is only 13 calories 🙂
- Beneficial for diabetes management
- Strong antioxidant and useful as a medicine too for many ailments.
- Rich in B12 vitamins like Riboflavin and folate
- Extremely good for enriching bone density due to high content of Vit K
- Kasuri methi (sun dried methi leaves) are used as a delectable spice in parathas, curries
Significance of eating bitter foods
Indian cuisine is replete with foods that are bitter tasting – bitter gourd, fenugreek seeds (and fenugreek leaves too) , brinjal etc. I bet you won’t taste the bitter taste in this Methi seeds pickle. But why bitter ? Just as sour, sweet, salt, astringent , Umami are flavours , bitter is also a vital flavour to pep the liver and help in bile production. As this article says, bitter is a digestive tonic. The benefits of eating bitter foods is to revamp the gut flora and restore a sense of balance.Yay.. more reason to include bitter foods in our diet.
Seema has asked us to do JUST that this month She’s hosting this month’s edition of Shh secretly cookign challenge with the theme #FearNotTheBitter , which has given us an opportunity to make dishes using bitter ingredients – be it Coffee / cacao / methi / karela (bittergourd) etc.. She has a wonderful repository of World Cuisine including some very healthy ones like this Methi Millet Flakes Upma. Am paired with Priya this month where I gave her Coconut and urad dal for her delicious and traditional Pavakkai Pitlai (Bittergourd in a spicy, tamarind sauce) and she gave me Wholewheat flour and ginger brought out this Methi Muthia.
If you are a fan of bitter foods too, why dont you try these dishes :
Ultra delish Methi Sprouts pickle
Let’s get to making this Methi Muthia.
Prep time – 15 mins, Steaming time – 15 mins, Cook time – 10 mins
Serves – 3 ; Cuisine – Indian, Course – Appetiser / Snack
What you need to make Methi Muthia
- 1 cup Fenugreek leaves (Methi leaves)
- 1 cup Wholewheat flour (atta)
- 1/2 cup Gramflour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp Sugar (opt.)
- 1/8 tsp Asafoetida (Hing) – opt.
- 2 TBSP Oil
- 1/2 tsp Carrom seeds (Ajwain)
- 1 tsp Sesame seeds (til)
- 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds
- 1/4 tsp Cumin Seeds (Jeera) – opt.
- 1 inch Ginger (grated)
- 3 green chillies (adjust spice)
How to make Methi Muthia
Refer the Video below for a detailed recipe and step by step instructions. If you are visiting our channel for the first time, please don’t forget to hit like ???? and subscribe to our channel ❤️. We appreciate your love and would eagerly wait to hear from from you on how we can bring your favourite dishes to our channel too ! Thanks a ton ????????
Methi Muthia
Equipment
- Steamer
- Knife
- Shallow Fry Pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup Fenugreek leaves Methi leaves
- 1 cup Wholewheat flour atta
- 1/2 cup Gramflour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp Sugar opt.
- 1/8 tsp Asafoetida Hing – opt.
- 2 TBSP Oil
- 1/2 tsp Carrom seeds Ajwain
- 1 tsp Sesame seeds til
- 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds
- 1/4 tsp Cumin seeds Jeera – opt.
- 1 inch Ginger grated
- 3 Green Chillies adjust spice
Instructions
Refer the video embedded below to know the detailed steps. If you are visiting the channel for the first time, take a moment to like, share and subscribe to the channel. ❤️ Do leave any comments below and/or on the channel on how you liked it or what changes you would like to make for you / your family
Video
Linking this to #FearNotTheBitter -a theme under SSshh Cooking Secret Challenge
Muthia is my favorite as we make it often as a light dinner option. It definitely is a versatile recipe as one can replace flours easily and add other vegetables. Tempted to make methi muthia for tonight.
muthia as a dinner option is a great idea, Mayuri
Methi Muthiya is a healthy and flavourful snack, and a great way to consume fenugreek greens. Love the way yours looks – so soft and delicious!
yes definitely a healthier way to eat methi for sure..
Muthia is one of my favorite gujju dish especially methi muthi. An example of healthy food that is made with bitter methi.
You are absolutely right. The bitterfoods encourage healthy gut flora. I love the fact that this is steamed recipe. We always look out for these.
thanks Seema. we love steamed dishes anyday
Methi Muthiya is one of our favourite snacks, and even kids love it.. very nice detailed recipe nicely explaining why we must include bitter foods in our diet especially for those who shy away from it sue to the bitter taste.. Muthiya looks so yumm and the color is also very nice.
we love it too, swati – yes a great way to feed greens to everyone 🙂
Methi muthia looks so healthy and delicious. Sounds great that its not fried. I love muthia but never tried with methi. Saving your recipe to try.
thanks Sujata. Do try..
I love muthia and specially because it is a powerpack breakfast or a meal, with carbs and proteins loaded into one. Methi in muthia is such handy especially with the fussy eaters.
true Renu. Power packed, Indeed !
Kalyani Methi Muthiya looks so delicious and healthy. I love the use of methi leaves. just one query can we air fry these.
we can steam this and airfry. thanks for that idea Meera, I will also try that next time
I love leafy greens and methi tops the list. Methi muthia is a healthy and delicious snack to add healthy goodness of fenugreek into our daily diet. Love how soft yours has turned out.
Methi is definitely a fav at home too! thanks Poonam
I would love to have these right away with some chutney and a cup of hot masala chai… I am loving how it is looking like, and especially since it is steamed, it is comparitively healthy…
yes, Rafee! very healthy and that chai idea sounds fantastic
Methi muthiya looks so delicious. Beautifully penned Kalyani on the reasons to include bitter food in our diet. I would love to try your recipe sometime.
Thanks Preethi. Glad you liked the write up, too 🙂
Love to have any recipe that is prepared by adding methi leaves. Loved your healthy and tasty methi muthiya. It looks very tasty and inviting, like to have it for dinner.
we love methi leaves in most forms, too!
Methi muthiya is our family favorite. I am tempted to try your recipe with whole wheat flour . Looks juicy and succulent
thank you, Priya. Do try!
This has been on my to do list to try for long time. Now I have your guilt free recipe and foolproof recipe to try. Looks so healthy, nutritious and delicious.
Thanks narmadha. do try
I love methi muthia and make it often at home. It is tasty and ideal to serve as a side dish too. Muthia looks so delicious Kalyani.
thanks Jayashree
These methi muthias look so delicious. They make a healthy snack too. Would love to try this dish.
Thank you, do try!