Friday, March 1, 2013

Navratan Korma | Mixed Vegetables in a Mild Tomato Curry | Vegan Recipe


Navratan Korma is a classic dish from Uttar Pradesh that found its notoriety in restaurant and shaadi meals in India. The idea of nine jeweled curry with lashings of ghee, fresh cream, paneer, pineapple, and cashews seemed to befit special occasions and treats. Today Navratan Korma is still very much a part of the restaurant menu, more so in Indian eateries across the world than in India. The other day I saw it on the lunch menu of my local coop!!


I have to admit the sweetish flavours of this curry never really enticed me though I have been lucky enough to eat some rather well made versions of this curry at friends' homes. Today I am sharing with you a rather simplified and veganized version of this curry. You won't find any dairy or pineapple in this recipe, but this curry is bursting with taste nevertheless.


Ingredients:
3 cups mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, green beans, potatoes)
1/3 cup fresh lima beans
2 tbsp oil
1 medium onion, minced
1/2" piece ginger, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green chili, chopped
1/4 cup tomato paste
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp zeera (cumin seeds)
1/2 tsp haldi (turmeric)
1/2 tsp garam masala
10 cashews
1/4 cup soy cream


Method:
  1. Blanch all the vegetables and the lima beans, drain, and set aside.
  2. Heat the oil in a large saucepan.
  3. Add the cumin seeds, then the onions, garlic, ginger, and green chilies.
  4. When the onions turn transparent, add the tomato paste and fry for a minute. 
  5. Next add the turmeric, a pinch of salt, and 2 cups of water. Cook on a medium heat for 7 minutes or until a film of oil appears above the curry.
  6. Grind the cashews to a very fine powder, blend into the soy cream. Add this mix to the tomato curry.
  7. Pour in another 2 cups of water, bring to a boil, add the vegetables, lima beans and garam masala. 
  8. Cook till sauce thickens. Check seasoning.
  9. Enjoy hot with rice.
Good to Know:
  • You can add 4 -5 more cashews if you would like a thicker curry.
  • This curry with basmati rice makes for a great lunchbox menu.
  • If like the curry sweeter, add 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks in Step 7 of the recipe.
Vegan Recipe
 
Like this recipe. Tried it. Leave me a comment:) 

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9 comments:

  1. Wow yummy n v inviting colourful flavourful dish!!

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  2. I wish I could try this, wonderful recipe

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  3. Just need few rotis to finish this bowl of wonderful looking korma,inviting.

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  4. Wow wat a flavorful,super delicious and droolworthy kurma.

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  5. Perfect nava rattan korma recipe.

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  6. thanks for leaving comment at my space, delicious kurma, I am your new follower...

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  7. Hi thanks for visiting my blog and giving a nice comment. U 2 have a lovely blog.

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  8. This looks like such a healthy recipe. I think you should send it to my event "Healthy Me & Healthy Us".

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