CAULIFLOWER KURMA

I love cauliflower very much. Be it a simple curry ,Kurma,Pulao,Pakora or Manchurian  I enjoy this veggie in it.The florets laced with spice powders and masala, tastes amazing and hence have become addictive to the texture of this veggie. But sometimes,presence of small worms triggers the 'yuck factor'. I employ all kinds of hacks in cleaning this veggie to get rid of worms and other impurities. This kurma pairs well chapati,puri, dosa,set dosa,parotta,idiyappam and even plain rice.

 INGREDIENTS :

CHOPPED CAULIFLOWER FLORETS-   2 CUPS

ONIONS- 2 NOS

TOMATOES- 2 NOS

TURMERIC POWDER- 1/4 TSP

RED CHILLI POWDER- 3/4 TSP

GARAM MASALA POWDER- 1/2 TSP

GINGER GARLIC PASTE- 1 TSP

BAY LEAVES- 2 NOS

CINNAMON- 1

BLACK STONE-  1/2 TSP

SALT TO TASTE

CHOPPED CORIANDER LEAVES- 1/4 CUP

OIL- 1 TBSP 

 

FOR THE PASTE

 

COCONUT  GRATINGS- 1/2 CUP

CASHEW NUTS- 5-6 NOS

FENNEL SEEDS- 3/4 TSP

Soak the cashewnuts in hot water,prior to grinding. If you are running out of fresh coconut,then you can soak the dry coconut in water and use it in cooking. I'm not referring to copra here.

PROCEDURE  :

1. Chop the florets and soak it in hot water along with turmeric powder and salt. This method is really effective in eliminating worms in the cauliflower. Keep it covered for thirty minutes. After thirty minutes, drain the water and wash the florets thoroughly in running water and boil the florets in fresh water for a few minutes.

2. Heat oil in a pan. Add fry bay leaf,cinnamon and black stone.Add chopped onions and salt over this. Fry till the onions turn translucent.

3. Now add in the the chopped tomatoes and saute till the tomatoes turn mushy. Throw in all the spice powders and simmer in mild heat till the powders blend well and oil oozes from the sides of the gravy.

4. Pour the coconut paste and simmer in mild heat for a couple of minutes. Now add in the boiled florets and keep it closed in mild heat till the florets blend well with the gravy.

5. Switch off the stove and add chopped coriander leaves over the prepared gravy and serve.