Basics:The Making of Simple Vegetable Kurma

Kurma/Khorma/Kuruma/Korma is an Indian Curry variant that is usually made with vegetables,meat or both and there is always a masala(ground spice,onion, tomato and nut mixture) involved. It can be quite intimidating to novice cooks but it is very simple, easy and a cinch to make.This version of mine is a very basic kurma that can be done in 30 minutes or less if you have all the veggies cut and ready.Goes well with Ghee(Clarified Butter) Rice, Lime Rice, Plain Rice, Roti or anything at all. A very common and versatile Indian dish and the possibilities with it are endless.Other Kurma recipes that are a little more challenging - Navratan Korma(Curry of Nine Gems), Smashed Potato N Mint Kurma.

Ingredients:

• Cauliflower Florets - 2 1/2 cups
• Carrots - 4, medium, peeled and sliced
• Fresh or Frozen peas - 2/3 cup
• Oil - 2 tbsp
• Cumin Powder - 1 tbsp
• Red Chilli Powder - 1 tsp (Paprika or Cracked pepper may be used)
• Yogurt - 1/2 cup, beaten
• Cilantro - 2 tbsp, finely chopped, for Garnish
• Salt for taste

For the Masala:

• Clove - 2
• Cinnamon Stick - 1/2 inch
• Garlic - 3 cloves, medium, chopped
• Red Onion - 2, medium, chopped
• Hot Green Chili - 2-3, vertically slit
• Roma Tomato - 2, halved and then quartered
• Cashew Nut or Walnut or Grated Fresh/Frozen Coconut- 1/2 cup (I used Cashew Nut for this recipe)

 Procedure:

• In a saute pan, heat a tbsp of oil and add all the ingredients under "For the masala" in the order mentioned and saute until the onions are really browned. 
• Cool the mixture and blend to a smooth paste.Set aside.
• Heat the remaining tbsp of oil and saute the carrots, cauliflower until the tip of the cauliflower turns light brown.
• Pour the ground mixture along with little water, cumin powder, chili powder, salt and cook on medium flame with closed lid for 10 minutes.
• Add the green peas and stir in the beaten yogurt and cook for 5 more minutes on a low flame.
• Switch off stove and garnish with chopped cilantro.
• Serve hot.

Makes 4-5 servings.

Enjoy!