Serve with rice for a truly Gujarati dal-bhaat experience. Delicious!My recipe for Gujarati Dal is so easy and flavoursome. It’s a classic Indian comfort food recipe I make at least once every fortnight.

How to serve this Dal

While Gujarati Dal at weddings is usually a more filling affair, at home, it can be much more casual. I like to eat it as it is, with boiled rice and a dollop of plain set yoghurt. There’s something so satisfying about the hot and sour dal against the cold yoghurt. A touch of jaggery in the dal offsets the flavours so beautifully.

If you’d like to make a meal of it, try serving your dal with the following to create a Gujarati thali at home:

Gujarati Ravaiya (Stuffed Aubergine Curry)

Ask any Gujarati and they’ll rave about their mum or gran’s Ravaiya (stuffed aubergine curry). It’s in our nature. There is no love greater than the love you feel when you eat these hand-stuffed baby aubergines.

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Learn how to achieve the longest, most separate grains of rice with this easy recipe for boiled Basmati rice. Serve alongside your favourite curries and daals.

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Puffy Masala Poori

Learn how to make puffy, crispy Masala Poori at home. This easy recipe is foolproof. Just follow the step-by-step video and enjoy your fresh Indian Poori with any curry. I love mine with Gujarati-style Bateta nu Shaak.

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Key ingredients in Gujarati Dal

Oily toor dal (also called split pigeon peas, arhar or tuver), water, ginger, chilli, tomatoes, turmeric, kokum, salt, jaggery, coriander, ghee, cinnamon, curry leaves, star anise, cloves, asafoetida, dried chilli, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, peanuts, cashews.My favourite part are the simmered peanuts and cashews which become extremely tender and melt in your mouth.

What style of Dal should I choose?

For this type of dal, it’s best to use the oily style of split pigeon peas (toor/tuver/arhar). They are dried and coated in a slick of oil to preserve them for months, even years.This makes toor the ultimate pantry ingredient to have on standby when the contents of your fridge is looking sparse.

Tip: Always wash your dal!

Always wash dal to rinse away oil. As a child my mother would keep me occupied by placing a bowl of toor dal in warm water in front of me so I could swish and swoosh the oil away. It was the ultimate sensory activity for a bored little monkey like me, and something I still find utterly cathartic today.

How to make Gujarati Dal in a pressure cooker

To make light work of boiling dal, this recipe calls for a pressure cooker. I use a traditional pressure cooker with a whistle attachment. You can also use an Instant Pot or equivalent pressure pot.Place the dal in a pressure cooker along with 1L of water.

Close the pressure cooker (whistle on) and cook for 7 whistles. If you’re using an Instant Pot or similar pressure pot, cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Carefully release the steam. The dal should be really mushy, almost liquid.

How to make Gujarati Dal without a pressure cooker

Fear not! You can still have your dal. Simply boil the dal in a large pan, covered with a tight-fitting lid for 30-35 minutes or until mushy. Add a teaspoon of oil to the pot to reduce the amount of foam that builds up inside the pot. Do not leave boiling dal unattended as it can overflow.

Gujarati Dal without onion and garlic

Since this is a wedding-style of Gujarati Dal, this recipe does not include onion or garlic. For various religious reasons, many people refrain from eating these two ingredients. Therefore the dal served at celebrations is almost always free from onion and garlic.

Types of Gujarati Dal

Dal simply refers to ‘pulses’. There are dozens of varieties of Gujarati Dal and each home will have a unique method of preparation for these variants. Eat these with rice, rotli, paratha or Let’s explore some of the most popular ones.

Dal Dhokli

Not only is Dal Dhokli a one-pot wonder, it’s also packed with mouth-puckering hot, sweet and sour flavours, protein and comforting carbs. The spicing is gentle and aromatic with star anise, cinnamon, cloves and ajwain-flecked dhokli (a cross between a dumpling and pasta).

Gujarati Mug

Gujarati Mug is a simple dish of whole green mug (moong/mung beans). There are so many ways to prepare this protein-packed pulse. The Gujarati way uses just a handful of spices, ginger, chilli and sometimes tomatoes. I like to add lots of garlic! Perfect with a bowl of plain rice or black pepper paratha.

Mug ni Dal

This variety of dal is similar to the above, except it calls for split, skinless mug (moong/mung beans). The final result is creamier than the dish with whole mug and the appearance is more yellow in colour, since the green skins are removed.

Urad

Thick and creamy black lentils (of Dal Makhani fame) with simple spices. A traditional dish for Saturdays. Saturday represents the day of Lord Hanuman. Belief has it that he gathers his otherworldly strength from eating such lentils. Urad is packed with vitamins, protein and iron, so move over Popeye- Hanuman’s in town and he brings with him the strength of a thousand elephants and karahi’s full of Urad!

Trevti Dal

A combination of three types of lentils. Usually toor (arhar dal), chana dal and moong dal but the recipe can vary from cook to cook. I like to add split, skinless urad dal. Trevti Dal is creamy and thick, with a tempering of both whole spices and ground spices.

Gujarati Kadhi

I have mixed feelings about including Kadhi in this list, simply because it’s not technically a type of dal. However, most recipes call for besan (gram flour) which is a chickpea-based product, so I’ll let it slide!Yoghurt-laden Kadhi is almost always served in the same way as dal (with rice or as part of a thali). At most Gujarati weddings, the hosts will serve either Gujarati Toor Dal or Kadhi, not both.

Gujarati Wedding Dal recipe

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Gujarati Wedding Dal

Gujarati Wedding Dal, also called Gujarati Lagan Dal is an aromatic preparation of split pigeon peas, peanuts and whole spices. Serve with rice for a truly Gujarati dal-bhaat experience. Delicious!

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine Indian

Keyword daal, vegetarian, wedding

Servings 6

Author Sanjana

Equipment

• Pressure cooker

Ingredients

For the dal:

• 200 g oily toor dal also called split pigeon peas, arhar or tuver
• 1.5 L hot water
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 2-3 green chillies finely chopped
• 200 g chopped tomatoes I use tinned
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 piece kokum or juice of two large lemons
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp jaggery or brown sugar
• 2 tbsp chopped coriander

To temper the dal:

• 1 tbsp ghee
• 2- inch cinnamon stick
• 5-6 curry leaves
• ¼ tsp asafoetida hing
• 1 star anise
• 2 cloves
• 1 dried red chilli
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 10 peanuts whole
• 10 cashew nuts

Instructions

To cook the dal:

• Wash the dal in plenty of water. Drain and repeat twice more.
• Place the dal in a pressure cooker along with 1L of water. Close the pressure cooker (whistle on) and cook for 7 whistles. If you’re using an Instant Pot or similar pressure pot, cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Carefully release the steam. The dal should be really mushy, almost liquid.
• Sieve the dal into a large bowl to ensure it’s of a flowing consistency. Set aside.

To temper the dal:

• Heat the ghee in a large, heavy-based pan. Add mustard seeds and allow them to crackle. Next, add the cumin seeds, cinnamon, star anise, dried red chilli, cloves, kokum, curry leaves, asafoetida, peanuts and cashews. Sauté over a low heat for 1-2 minutes, just until the cashews begin to brown slightly.
• Add the ginger and fresh chillies. Cook this for a further 30 seconds and then tip in the tomatoes. Add ground turmeric and jaggery. Stir well and allow the masala to come to a gently simmer. Stir all the time to help the jaggery melt in.
• Carefully pour in the dal mixture. Stir well. Add a further 500ml water and season with salt. Bring to the boil. Boil gently for 20 minutes. Stir frequently to ensure the dal doesn’t settle at the base of the pan. If you feel the dal is too thick, you can always thin it out with more water. The boiling extracts more flavours from the spices, resulting in a tastier dal.
• Garnish with fresh coriander. Serve hot with rice. For wedding vibes, I love this with a side of stuffed aubergine curry, farfar and poori.

Notes

What if I don’t have a pressure cooker?

Boil the dal in a large pan, covered with a tight-fitting lid for 30-35 minutes or until mushy. Add a teaspoon of oil to the pot to reduce the amount of foam that builds up inside the pot. Do not leave boiling dal unattended as it can overflow.

Other notes

• Dal will thicken on cooling. If making ahead, you may need to add additional water before serving.
• As dal boils, it will develop a skin on top. This is normal. Stir often to minimise.

How to freeze Gujarati Wedding Dal

This dal freezes particularly well. Place cold dal in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature and reheat thoroughly before serving. You may need to loosen the dal with additional water to achieve a flowing consistency once more.

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My simple paneer and potato kofta are golden on the outside and a brilliant white colour on the inside. Each bite is soft, a little spongy and slick with a smooth and creamy tomato sauce. In my home, Malai Kofta is an essential curry for special occasions.

This Indian vegetarian curry of paneer (cheese) and potato kofta is a real celebration of rich flavours and warming spices.

What is Malai Kofta?

Malai Kofta is a delicious North Indian vegetarian curry, popular in restaurants and for celebrations like weddings and parties. It’s rich, creamy and utterly delicious with naan, paratha or rice.

Recipes for Malai Kofta vary from cook to cook. “Malai” refers to the liberal use of cream in the dish, while “Kofta” allude the balls of deep-fried paneer (a vegetarian take on meat kofta, so to speak). Many recipes also include potatoes and/or other vegetables in the kofta mixture. A filling of chopped nuts and sultanas is commonplace, too.

Where does Malai Kofta come from?

It’s said that Malai Kofta has roots in Mughlai cuisine; a style of cooking that goes back to the Mughal Empire and its’ royal kitchens. Originally from Central Asia, Turkey, Persia and beyond, Mughlai cuisine introduced dishes like Biryani, Nihari, Korma, Keema and Pasanda to the Indian subcontinent. You will now find hundreds of delicious variations of these and more dishes across India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

They are often rich, luxurious and meat heavy. Ingredients like nuts, saffron, rosewater and dry fruits are found in both sweet and savoury dishes of the Mughlai kitchens.

Notable vegetarian Mughlai-influenced dishes include Malai Kofta, Shahi Paneer, Vegetable Korma, as well as desserts like Shahi Tukda, Falooda and Sheer Khurma.

There are two popular styles of Malai Kofta. Let’s explore them a little.

Mughlai Malai Kofta (Shahi Malai Kofta) – White in colour

This royal preparation of Malai Kofta is heavily inspired by the customs, techniques and ingredients of Mughlai kitchens. The white-coloured gravy is an ode to the royal emperors’ tastes for all things expensive (namely nuts, but also spices like cardamom, saffron and peppercorns).

Make this white gravy by first blanching almonds and/or cashews in hot water, then grinding to create a smooth and creamy paste. Fry off some spices and add the paste, but don’t let it brown. Copious amounts of cream and a pinch of sugar to finish, of course.

Punjabi Malai Kofta (North Indian-style Malai Kofta) – Orange or red in colour

Punjabi Malai Kofta is the version of the dish we most commonly find in restaurants. It’s an adaptation of the Mughlai dish that puts tomatoes to work, hence the orange or red gravy. Tomatoes and chillies were not introduced to India until the 15th and 16th centuries so you could say this is a more ‘modern take’ on Malai Kofta.

Over the years, recipes have changed and adapted with tastes and the movement of people. Each Malai Kofta recipe you’ll find online, in books or by word of mouth will be as unique as it is delicious.

Is this a Nut-free Malai Kofta recipe?

Yes, my recipe for Melt-Away Malai Kofta is incidentally, completely nut free. Most recipes for Malai Kofta will contain an assortment of nuts and raisins in the kofta filling and either cashews or almonds to thicken the gravy (sauce).

Now, I’ve never been a fan of crunchy nuts in my creamy kofta, although it is is typical of restaurant-style Malai Kofta.

A while back, I asked my Instagram community to vote on whether they like nuts and raisins in their Malai Kofta. An overwhelming 83% of 6,000 respondents said no. To make this suitable for those with nut allergies and intolerances, I decided to cut all the nuts out, even in the sauce. So here it is: A creamy, nut-free Malai Kofta recipe that tastes like a restaurant version!

What is Malai in Indian food?

In Indian cookery, the term ‘Malai’ refers to the cream extracted from heating whole milk (sourced from cattle: Either cow or buffalo). It’s used for making a range of dishes, both sweet and savoury. Some dishes include: Malai Kofta, Malai Peda, Rasmalai and Kulfi.

How to serve Malai Kofta

Serve Melt-Away Malai Kofta with your choice of Indian accompaniments, such as Naan, Paratha or Rice. I simply adore the combination of Malai Kofta and Garlic Naan.

Some recipes call for placement of the Kofta to be a last-minute affair, directly on top of the hot gravy. My recipe requires a gentle simmer to plump up the Kofta before serving. This gives them their mouth watering melt-away texture.

Why is it called Melt-Away Malai Kofta?

I’ve been making versions of this dish for years. Take a look at this delicious Paneer Kofta recipe from my archives. The first time I made this iteration of Malai Kofta, my husband took a portion out for himself at dinner time. I looked over and saw there were five koftas in his plate.

Important tips for making this recipe

Paneer

• Homemade paneer works best in this recipe. Refer to this recipe for Homemade Paneer. Make sure the paneer is very well pressed, overnight or for as long as possible. Chill in the fridge until ready to use. The paneer should be dry and crumbly. If it is not properly pressed, the kofta may break in the oil while frying.

Potatoes

• I use a floury variety of potato in my recipe. Maris Piper or King Edward if you’re in the UK. Any mealy potato you’d use for baked potatoes is ideal. Cook the potato however you like. I like to microwave mine in the skin until soft because it’s super quick and easy. It also draws water out of the potato rather than putting water in, like boiling does.

• Once the potato is cooked grate it on the fine side of a cheese grater. It’s best to allow it to cool a bit first!

Kneading kofta mixture

• Spend a bit of time kneading the kofta mixture. Use the heel of your palm to press the mixture into the worktop and away from you. We are creating a smooth-textured dough without a crumbly texture. This process is similar to kneading chhena (paneer) for sweets like Rasmalai and Rasgulla. It produces the perfect smooth and creamy finish.

• I spent about 5 minutes per portion, so 15 minutes kneading in total. It’s a great work out! I don’t recommend using a blender for this as it can overwork the mixture and ruin the texture of the kofta.

Frying kofta

• Heat the oil to 125°C/260°F on a cooking thermometer. It should be low enough to seal the kofta all around without browning too quickly. If you don’t have a cooking thermometer, drop one of the kofta into the oil – it should bubble around the outside very slowly.
  
• The kofta need to be fried very slowly until they turn golden. Each batch will take around 10 minutes. Keep them moving in the oil all the time for even browning. If the heat is too high the outside will brown too quickly and they will deflate as soon as they come out of the oil.
  
• I do not recommend baking or air frying the kofta.

Sauce/gravy

• Since we use tomato purée in the recipe, there is no need to strain the gravy after we blend it. I love the punchy tang of tomato purée in this recipe. Fresh tomatoes don’t even come close.
  
• Skimmed milk powder and fried onions will thicken the sauce beautifully in the absence of nuts. You can replace it with 8-10 cashews, soaked in boiling hot water for 30 minutes.
  
• Be sure to remove large whole spices like star anise and cinnamon from the onion masala before you blend it. They can ruin the colour!
  
• For a bright colour, slowly sizzle Kashmiri chilli powder in warm ghee or oil before adding the gravy mixture. It has a mild flavour and great colour. If you can find this, use half the amount of regular chilli powder and supplement with a teaspoon of paprika (not smoked paprika).

Can I make vegan Malai Kofta using this recipe?

I have not tried veganising this Malai Kofta recipe. I’d imagine quite a few significant changes would need to take place in order to make a vegan Malai Kofta with this recipe. I recommend checking out this Vegan Malai Kofta recipe by Nisha at Rainbow Plant Life.

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Is this recipe for Malai Kofta gluten free?

The kofta contain plain wheat flour. Feel free to swap this for rice flour or your favourite gluten-free baking flour. Use a gluten-free baking powder.

How to make Homemade Paneer

My recipe below is best made with Homemade Paneer. Although, if you don’t have time and want to use shop-bought, I’ll totally forgive you. Please do your best to find the softest paneer possible. Malai Paneer is perfect.

Melt-Away Malai Kofta recipe

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Melt-Away Malai Kofta

I call this creamy paneer kofta curry Melt-Away Malai Kofta simply because they melt away as soon as you put them in your mouth. Malai Kofta are the ultimate North Indian vegetarian curry recipe to dazzle friends and family. A celebration of rich flavours and warming spices.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Keyword celebration, curry, dinner party, kofta, north indian, paneer, party food

Prep Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Author Sanjana

Equipment

• Blender
• Large pan for cooking the sauce
• Kadai, work or large pan for deep frying
• Slotted spoon for deep frying

Ingredients

For the kofta:

• 225 g paneer, very well pressed homemade is best (recipe linked above)
• 100 g potato (any floury variety such as Maris Piper, King Edward or Yukon Gold) cooked, cooled, peeled and grated on the fine side of a grater
• 1 1/2 tbsp plain flour
• 1/3 tsp salt
• Baking powder same amount as two grains of rice
• Oil for deep frying any cooking oil

For the kofta curry:

• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 whole star anise
• 2 cm stick cinnamon or cassia bark
• 4 whole green cardamom pods
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 small piece black stone flower optional
• 2 onions finely diced (about 250g)
• 2 tbsp double concentrate tomato purée
• 2 large cloves garlic chopped
• 2 cm piece ginger grated
• 2 tbsp skimmed milk powder
• 250 ml water

To finish the Malai Kofta:

• 1 tbsp ghee or oil
• 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
• Small pinch of saffron
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 100 ml whipping cream (cooking cream)
• 1/4 tsp kasoori methi
• 1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves

Instructions

To make the kofta (see video for visual tutorial):

• Crumble your well-pressed homemade paneer onto a large plate or on a clean surface. it should feel dry and crumbly. If using shop bought paneer, you will need to grate it on the fine side of a grater.
• Add the finely-grated cooked potato, salt and baking powder. Work everything together using your hands and then sprinkle over the flour. Bring the mixture together to form a very rough mixture. It should bind to a sticky, but not wet dough. Divide it into three portions.
• Taking one portion of mixture at a time, begin to knead the dough on a worktop or clean surface. Use the heel of your palm to press the mixture into the worktop and away from you. We are creating a smooth-textured dough without a crumbles This process is similar to kneading chhena (paneer) for sweets like Rasmalai and Rasgulla. It produces the perfect finish.
• Spend a bit of time kneading the kofta mixture. I spent about 5 minutes per portion, so 15 minutes kneading in total. It's a great work out! I don't recommend using a blender for this as it can overwork the mixture and ruin the texture of the kofta.
• Bring the kofta mixture back together and begin to portion it out into approximately 13-15g portions. Don't make them any bigger than this as they will expand slightly in the oil. Roll each one with a little pressure between your palms. They should be perfectly smooth and without any cracks. You should have between 24-26 kofta.
• Heat enough oil to deep fry the kofta in a kadai or wok. Work in batches of 2-3 so the oil is not overcrowded. Heat the oil to 125°C/260°F on a cooking thermometer. It should be low enough to seal the kofta all around without browning too quickly. If you don't have a cooking thermometer, drop one of the kofta into the oil – it should bubble around the outside very slowly.
• Fry the kofta at this temperature. At no point should the oil temperature exceed 130°C/265°F. Agitate the oil around them, rather than directly moving the kofta at first. This will ensure they don't get knocked out of shape. The kofta need to be fried very slowly until they turn golden. Each batch will take around 10 minutes. Keep them moving in the oil all the time for even browning. If the heat is too high the outside will brown too quickly and they will deflate once they come out of the oil.
• Line a plate with kitchen towel. Lift out your fried kofta and drain on the plate. Repeat this process for your remaining batches of kofta. Note: It's okay if the kofta deflate very slightly on the surface. They will plump up again in the kofta curry later.

For the kofta curry:

• Heat the oil in a large pan. Add star anise, cinnamon or cassia bark, cardamom, cloves, black stone flower if using (I recommend it) and onions. Sauté over a medium-low heat for 8-10 minutes, until the onions turn soft and translucent but do not brown. Tip: Add the salt at this stage to help the onions cook quickly.
• Next, add the tomato purée and cook out for a further minute. Finally, add the ginger and garlic and cook for two minutes longer over a low heat. Allow this mixture to cool and then remove the whole star anise and cinnamon or cassia. Leave the other whole spices in.
• Once cool, transfer the mixture to a blender. Add the milk powder and water. Blend on the highest speed until very smooth. The sauce should be thick and very creamy.

To finish the Malai Kofta:

• Heat ghee or oil in a large pan set over a low heat. Add the Kashmiri chilli powder and allow it to sizzle for a few seconds before adding the blended kofta sauce. Stir well. Add saffron, sugar and cream (reserve a tablespoon for garnishing). Stir well and bring to a very gentle simmer.
• Add the fried kofta and mix gently to ensure they're covered. Place a lid on the pan and allow to heat through over a low heat for 4-5 minutes.
• Remove the lid and garnish with a swirl of cream, kasoori methi (rub between your palms first) and fresh coriander. Serve immediately with naan, paratha or rice.

Video

Notes

How to store leftover Malai Kofta

Pack any leftovers into an air-tight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan, adding water if sauce is too thick. Try not to stir too much to avoid breaking. Do not freeze.

To make Malai Kofta ahead of time

This can be made up to 3 days in advance. Keep the kofta and sauce separate until you’re ready to serve. At the last minute, bring the sauce to a gentle simmer (add water if necessary as it will thicken over time), add the kofta and simmer gently for 4-5 minutes as directed in the recipe above.

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If you like this, you’ll love my recipe for Restaurant-Style Shahi Paneer

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The post Melt-Away Malai Kofta appeared first on Sanjana.Feasts.

My favourite version of Kadhi is hot, sour and slightly sweet. Traditionally, we eat Kadhi with rice, khichdi or rotli. It can be a one-bowl meal you enjoy with a spoon and nothing more.

Where does Kadhi come from?

Kadhi is a dish with roots and shoots in multiple South Asian cultures. Across India it is prepared in many regions. Each take has its’ own unique nuances specific to the land and local tastes.

The dish almost always contains gram flour (besan or chickpea flour) as a thickening agent. Many versions use yoghurt, but not all. Spices and additional ingredients also vary from region to region. Let’s explore some of these.

Note that within regions, there are a number of variations of Kadhi. Below is simply a high-level exploration of some popular variants.

Gujarati Kadhi

Sour, spicy, sweet and usually very fluid in consistency. This is the Kadhi we will make today. It’s the version I’ve grown up with. This version of Kadhi is prepared with a sour yoghurt and chickpea flour base. The spices, of which there are many, are aromatic but added in moderation.

We typically eat this Kadhi with rice, rotli or khichdi. It’s often a thali addition, as well as popular on wedding menus.

In Gujarat, a variation of Kadhi called Fajeto is prepared with fresh mango for a fruity take on the dish. Bhinda (okra) ni Kadhi is a popular style in Gujarat, too.

Punjabi Kadhi

Often thick in comparison to the Gujarati counterpart, Punjabi Kadhi is soul in a bowl. It’s traditional to serve this type of buttermilk-based Kadhi with Pakoda; these are fried besan dumplings which fill out the Kadhi beautifully. A side of rice is not uncommon either.

The spices in Punjabi Kadhi usually include (but are not limited to): Cumin, black peppercorn, red chilli, fenugreek and turmeric. The Pakoda often contain onions, methi and other spices so this style of Kadhi certainly does not lack in the flavour department.

Sindhi Kadhi

A vegetable-packed flavour ride. Sindhi Kadhi requires you to first roast the besan for glorious nutty notes. A concoction of tamarind pulp, curry leaves, jaggery, spices and an array of vegetables then go in. Serve hot and sour Sindhi Kadhi with rice and maybe some papad for a balanced one-bowl meal you’ll crave often.

Vegetables in Sindhi Kadhi often include potatoes, drumsticks, okra and cluster beans.

Rajasthani Kadhi

Rajasthani Kadhi is yet another delicious style of Kadhi. The tempering (tadka) is usually left until the end and then poured on top once the gram flour and sour yoghurt mixture is ready. Serve it plain with rice, with Pakoda or with gatte (boiled gram flour dumplings) or millet roti for a filling meal.

Other Rajasthani Kadhi recipes call for whey in place of yoghurt. This style of Kadhi is thinner and lighter in appearance. The hot and sour flavours of this nutritious version shine.

Maharashtrian Kadhi (Takachi Kadhi)

Takachi Kadhi is a sour yoghurt and gram flour Kadhi, usually without Pakode. Indeed, it resembles the Gujarati style of Kadhi I grew up eating most closely. Hot and sour flavours and a side of rice complete the meal.

Solkadhi is a yoghurt/buttermilk preparation from the Konkan region which stretches from Goa to Maharashtra. It’s typically a refreshing summer drink with the addition of kokum (sour dried mangosteen). It has a beautiful blush hue from the kokum and this ingredient also ensures this style of Kadhi boasts lip-smacking tangy flavours.

Haryanvi Hara Choley Kadhi

A style of Kadhi rich with ghee and/or homemade butter. Haryana Hara Choley Kadhi includes raw green chickpeas, seasonal greens like melon or bathua (goosefoot). The latter is a speciality of northern India and Pakistan and a common ingredient in Saag.

Serve this version of Kadhi with Pakode, roti or a side of rice.

The list goes on. There’s no shortage of unique and delicious takes on Kadhi. Indeed, I’m yet to explore the varieties of Kadhi from Pakistan.

What are the ingredients for Gujarati Kadhi?

Sour plain yoghurt, chickpea flour (gram flour/besan), garlic, ginger, chillies, ghee, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, asafoetida, cloves, cinnamon, dried red chillies, curry leaves. turmeric, sugar, salt, fresh coriander, water.

Why does Kadhi split?

Upon contact with heat, yoghurt can often split or curdle. To prevent this, ensure you don’t heat the Kadhi too quickly. Whisk or stir the mixture all the time for even heating. Constant agitation will also mean the ingredients have time to emulsify and thicken properly.

The chickpea flour (besan) will also help to stabilise the Kadhi mixture and prevent splitting. Some say salt can cause Kadhi to curdle but this is something I am yet to experience.

Split Kadhi will look like small flecks of white yoghurt and a watery liquid, similar to what you may see in cheese making. Cooking the Kadhi too quickly can cause the fats to over-heat and separate.

What to do if Kadhi splits

It can be saved! If your Kadhi splits, add 4-5 ice cubes and wait for the Kadhi to cool down. Remove the whole cloves and cinnamon. Transfer the split Kadhi mixture to a blender and add a tablespoon of chickpea flour (besan). Blend until smooth and return to the pan.

Next, cook the mixture stirring all the time until smooth and creamy. Simmer for 15 minutes or so to cook the additional besan out. The blending will mean some spices are ground into the Kadhi but that beats a split Kadhi in my opinion! You can always do another tempering on top if you like.

How to make Kadhi sour

Please do your utmost to find the most sour yoghurt possible. It makes all the difference. I find my local South Asian shop stocks ‘desi’ style yoghurt which is a set, plain yoghurt and extremely sour. It’s perfect for Kadhi.

Of course, this may not be possible for you. The next best thing to use is Ayran or doogh (plain, still) from Middle Eastern shops. This is a savoury yogurt-based drink. It’s so delicious and makes for amazing Kadhi.

If you can’t find any of the above, feel free to add the juice of a large lemon to your yoghurt.

More recipes you may like

• Gujarati-Style Matar Bhaat
• Village-Style Khichdi
• Okra & Potato Curry
• Dudhi na Muthiya

How to make vegan Kadhi

For a dairy-free Kadhi, swap plain yoghurt for soy or coconut yoghurt. These products are not nearly sour enough for Kadhi so you may find you need to add lots of lemon juice. The yoghurt should have a seriously sharp tang before you use it.

Temper the spices in oil in place of ghee. Easy!

Is Kadhi gluten free?

Yes, this recipe for Kadhi is naturally free from gluten. Be sure any asafoetida you use is free from gluten. Most compounded asafoetida contains wheat flour so use a brand with rice flour or pure asafoetida.

How to serve Kadhi

Every regional variation of Kadhi will be served in its’ own unique way. Kadhi-Chawal (kadhi and rice) being the most common. This Gujarati-style Kadhi is typically accompanied by rice (bhaat), a simple curry like dry mung beans or okra. Khichdi is also a common side dish alongside Gujarati Kadhi.

My favourite ways to eat Kadhi are with Matar Bhaat or simply with Soft Gujarati Rotli.

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Gujarati Kadhi recipe

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Gujarati Kadhi

Gujarati Kadhi is a belly-warming concoction of spiced yoghurt and gram flour. It’s light comfort food typical of this coastal region of India, although almost every region will have its’ unique take on the dish. My favourite version of Kadhi is hot, sour and slightly sweet. Traditionally served with rice, khichdi or rotli.

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine Indian

Keyword chickpea flour, kadhi, soup, vegetarian, yoghurt

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Sanjana

Ingredients

• 350 g sour plain yoghurt
• 40 g chickpea flour (gram flour/besan)
• 2 large cloves garlic crushed
• 2.5 cm piece ginger grated
• 1-2 hot green chillies minced
• 1 tbsp ghee
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds
• 1/4 tsp asafoetida
• 2 cloves
• 2.5 cm stick cinnamon or cassia
• 2 dried red chillies whole
• 12 curry leaves
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tbsp + 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1.4 L water
• 2 tbsp fresh coriander to garnish

Instructions

• Place the yoghurt in a large bowl. Add the chickpea flour and whisk until smooth. Gradually add half of the water, whisking all the time to ensure lumps don't form.
• Heat the ghee in a large pan. Once hot, add mustard seeds and wait for them to finish crackling. Next, add the following ingredients in quick succession: cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, asafoetida, cloves, cinnamon or cassia, dried red chillies and curry leaves. Cook them very briefly and don't let them burn.
• Add ginger, garlic and green chillies. Sauté for a further 30-40 seconds.
• Pour in the yoghurt mixture and stir well. Next, add the ground turmeric, sugar, salt and remaining water. Now keep this over a medium heat, stirring all the time until it comes to a boil. It will thicken as it cooks. Be sure to stir constantly until it reaches boiling point, or the Kadhi may curdle.
• Once the Kadhi comes to a boil, turn the heat down low and allow to simmer gently for 15 minutes. This will give the spices time to infuse.
• Switch the heat off, garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve with rice, khichdi or rotli.

Video

Notes

• If you’re making the Kadhi ahead of time, you may find it thickens as it cools. Feel free to adjust the consistency to your liking by adding additional water.
• This style of Kadhi should be sour, hot and slightly sweet. The balance of these three flavour profiles is essential in Gujarati Kadhi.
• The Kadhi will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store in an airtight container and heat thoroughly before serving.
• Kadhi freezes particularly well. Pack into a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature. Ensure Kadhi is piping hot before you serve.

Foolproof Indian Boiled Rice recipe

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Foolproof Indian Boiled Rice

Learn how to achieve the longest, most separate grains of rice with this easy recipe for boiled Basmati rice. Serve alongside your favourite curries and daals.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Indian

Keyword rice

Prep Time 35 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Sanjana

Ingredients

• 225 g long-grain Basmati rice
• 1 L hot water
• 2 cm stick cinnamon or cassia bark
• 2 cloves
• 1 greed cardamom pod
• 1 star anise
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions

• Wash the rice in cold water three times. Discard the starchy water after each round of washing.
• Soak the rice in cold water and set aside for 30 minutes.
• Bring 1L water to the boil in a large pan. Add the cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, cloves and salt.
• Drain the soaked rice and add them to the boiling water. Boil for 5-6 minutes or until cooked but still a little on the firm side.
• Drain the rice in a colander and set aside for 10 minutes for the steam to evaporate. Fluff the grains up with a fork and serve.

Pin this recipe for later! Gujarati Kadhi

If you like this, you’ll love my recipe for Matar Bhaat

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Fans of savoury and sweet combos will find this rich and comforting pasta dinner irresistible.

An unexpected twist on classic creamy mac and cheese

Spring means the arrival of Easter favourite, hot cross buns in the shops (well, from January actually!). There are few dinners I make on consistent rotation but recently, this has become one dish I crave solidly.

Hot Cross Crumb Mac & Cheese comes from my deep love of Cheddar cheese sandwiched between warm, toasted hot cross buns. It’s a classic sweet and savoury snack combination I couldn’t help but make a meal of.

The fact of the matter is that nothing bulks out a dish better than pasta. Enter Hot Cross Crumb Mac & Cheese. Here, I fold short pasta like fusilli, macaroni, conchiglie (shells), penne or even rigatoni into rich and creamy mature Cheddar sauce.

The ultimate Mac and Cheese with breadcrumbs

Golden hot cross bun crumbs with crispy sage leaves top the dish off. I love the contrast of lightly-spiced crumbs and sweet raisins against the deeply savoury cheese. The whole affair is a celebration of textures and flavours.

A combination you’ll either love or hate

Hot Cross Crumb Mac & Cheese reminds me a bit of fruity Wensleydale with cranberries and apricots at Christmas. Or cheese and mango chutney sandwiches. It feels 50 shades of wrong but when you eat it, it the flavours just work.

This being said, if sweet and savoury dishes aren’t your cup of tea, it’s best to skip the hot cross crumbs with this recipe. Ultimately, this mac and cheese recipe alone still makes for a delicious stove-top meal.

Make Hot Cross Crumb Cauliflower Cheese for a lower carb option

Although my passion for pasta runs deep, you might find it useful to know that you can easily swap cooked pasta for roasted cauliflower florets. A cheeky riff on cauliflower cheese, so to speak. This would make for a great lower carb option or side dish.

Mac & Cheese tips & tricks

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Hot Cross Crumb Mac & Cheese recipe

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Hot Cross Crumb Mac & Cheese

The ultimate luxury macaroni cheese for hot cross bun lovers! Fold pasta into this impossibly creamy cheese sauce and top off with crispy hot cross bun crumbs. Fans of savoury and sweet combos will find this irresistible.

Course Main Course

Cuisine British

Keyword cheese, dinner party, easter, hot cross buns, macaroni, pasta, vegetarian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Sanjana

Equipment

• Blender or food processor
• Whisk

Ingredients

• 350 g fusilli or other short pasta of your choice
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 600 ml evaporated milk or whole (full-fat) milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp dried garlic or 2 large cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
• 225 g extra-mature Cheddar grated
• 1 tsp English mustard powder or Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 tsp cornflour (cornstarch)
• 1/4 tsp salt or to taste

For the hot cross crumbs:

• 3 shop-bought hot cross buns
• 3 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 10-15 sage leaves or 1-2 sprigs rosemary

Instructions

To make the hot cross crumbs

• Break the hot cross buns up into rough chunks. Place them in to the jar of a blender or food processor. Pulse or blend until you have medium-coarse crumbs.
• Heat the olive oil or butter in a pan set over a medium-low heat. Add the sage leaves or sprigs of rosemary. Sauté for a minute or two until the leaves begin to crisp up. A low heat will help release the natural aromas from the herbs.
• Add the hot cross bun crumbs and continue to sauté over a medium-low heat until golden and crispy, about 5 minutes. Stir all the time to ensure the crumbs toast evenly and don't burn. You'll be able to hear when they're ready — a crispy clattering sound as you mix. Remove from the heat and transfer to a plate to cool.

For the mac and cheese

• Toss the grated cheese with cornflour, English mustard powder, garlic and nutmeg.
• Melt the butter in a large, heavy-based pan. Add the plain flour and cook, stirring all the time until it releases a slightly nutty aroma (don't let it brown), this should take about 2 minutes over a medium heat. Remove from the heat.
• Whisk in the milk a little at a time until you have a smooth, lump-free mixture. It won't immediately look thick. Return to the heat and cook for 4-5 minutes, whisking all the time until slightly thickened. Once it comes to a very gentle simmer, switch the heat off again.
• Add the cheese mixture and whisk continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens further and becomes smooth and glossy. Taste and season with salt if necessary. How much salt you add depends on how salty your cheese is and your personal taste.
• Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water, according to the packet instructions or until al dente (it should still have a little bite to it).
• Fold the cooked pasta into the sauce. If it feels a bit too thick, add a little bit of the pasta cooking water to adjust the consistency.
• Serve immediately topped with the crispy hot cross crumbs.

Video

Notes

• I like to use evaporated milk from a tin for my mac and cheese. It’s been heat-treated so is more stable and produces a smoother sauce without as much risk of curdling on contact with the cheese. I also love the flavour and creaminess of cheese sauce made with evaporated milk.
• Cornflour gives the mac and cheese a lovely glossy finish, as well as ensures the dish reheats better than if it were made with plain flour alone.
• Toss the cornflour with the cheese for even distribution into the sauce. It’s easier to add all the seasonings into the cheese mixture beforehand so you can just dump and go when making the sauce, too.
• If using fresh garlic, add it to the plain flour and butter mixture. Cook it out before adding the milk.
• If using Dijon mustard, whisk it in at the end, right before adding the pasta.
• This Hot Cross Crumb Mac & Cheese reheats beautifully in the microwave. Keep the macaroni cheese and crumbs separate until you’re ready to serve so the crumbs remain crunchy.

 

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If you like this, you’ll love my recipe for Roasted Vegetable & Mascarpone Lasagne

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Fresh beancurd sheets stir-fried with onions, peppers, fresh basil and a sweet and sour chilli sauce.

What is Yuba?

“Yuba” or tofu skin (also bean curd skin or bean curd sheet) is a form of protein made from soy beans. Soy milk, to be precise.

During the boiling process, a skin forms on top of the soy milk. It is made up of protein and fats in the milk, similar to the kind that forms on top of dairy milk.

Once it’s nice and thick, the skin is skimmed off the surface of the soy milk and dried on a cloth. The result is a chewy and pliable ‘sheet’ of bean curd that can be used in endless ways.

It’s a time-consuming process which is why buying it is a good idea! Although, homemade fresh Yuba is a melt-in-the-mouth delight. If you have time, there’s nothing quite like it.

Some of my favourite ways to use Yuba are to stir fry, braise or wrap in the form of a parcel or spring roll.

Not only is it delicious, it also makes a nice change from tofu, soya and seitan.

Where can I buy Yuba?

You can buy Yuba (also called beancurd sheets or tofu skin) in all well-stocked East Asian supermarkets.

Types of Yuba

There are a few types available and all of them are suitable for use in this recipe.

Fresh Yuba (beancurd sheets)

Usually sold in the fresh, refrigerated section. They come in thin, flexible sheets rather like fresh lasagne. The texture is a little chewy and the flavour a blank canvas for whatever ingredients you cook them with.

Slice these into a size and shape of your choice and throw straight into stir fries or soups.

Dried Yuba/Tofu Stick (beancurd sheets or rolls)

Buy these in the dried food aisle of your Asian supermarket. They require you to soak them in water for a few hours prior to use. Stir fry the sheets or use to wrap spring rolls or dumplings.

Tofu Stick pieces are a great addition to braised dishes like broccoli with soy sauce or in soups. A slow summer separates the layers of tofu stick slightly for a really delicious texture.

Frozen Yuba

You can also buy beancurd sheets in the frozen aisle. Use them in the same way you’d use the fresh variety but allow you defrost at room temperature before you slice them up. This shouldn’t take too long.

I often keep both frozen and dried forms of Yuba at home to give meals a quick and convenient meat-free protein element.

What can I use instead of Yuba?

You can indeed replace the Yuba in this recipe with any protein of your choice. Tofu, tempeh, seitan, soya chunks or chickpeas.

If you prefer, use all vegetables. Mushrooms, cauliflower and broccoli are also very delicious.

Fresh basil is an essential in this recipe. It gives the dish a wonderful, peppery freshness.

You can use Thai Basil or regular sweet basil. Holy basil (Tulsi) works beautifully too but add half the amount because it can be quite fiery. Dried basil just won’t cut it in this recipe.

Find my Indo-Chinese Chilli Yuba on YouTube

How to adapt this recipe to be more or less spicy

Make this Indo Chinese-Style Chilli Yuba as spicy or as mild as you like. My recipe below is  ‘medium’ according to my tastes. Add fresh chilli according to your preference but I recommend keeping the amount of black pepper the same.

5 tips for excellent stir fries

1. Use a good wok

You will get the most flavour from a well-seasoned carbon steel wok. Ensure it is smoking hot before you add any ingredients.

If possible, buy one from your local Asian shop.

2. Be prepared

Prepare all your ingredients before you begin cooking. The cooking process should be fast so the veggies remain crunchy.

3. Pay attention to your heat source

Your heat source should be on the highest possible setting when you stir fry. Turn the heat down and the stir fry might accidentally become a stew or braise.

4. Get moving

Keep the ingredients moving at all times. A smoky char is desirable but burnt aromatics and vegetables or proteins aren’t.

5. Last minute cooking is key

Cook your stir fry at the last minute; By this, I mean immediately before serving for the freshest and most delicious results. This isn’t to say the reheated leftovers aren’t tasty the next day!

How to make a slurry for a thick and shiny Chinese-style sauce

It’s quicker and easier than you might think. Simply mix together cornflour (cornstarch) and cold water. It’s important your water is cold. Hot water will cause the starch in the cornflour to seize up and become lumpy on contact.

Other recipes you might like:

• Vegan Hakka Noodles
• Vegetable Manchurian
• Chilli Paneer
• Gyoza Bhajia

Is this Indo Chinese-Style Chilli Yuba recipe vegan?

Yes! This recipe is vegan and can be made gluten free if you swap your soy sauce for tamari or use a commercial gluten-free soy sauce brand.

Indo Chinese-Style Chilli Yuba recipe

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Indo Chinese-Style Chilli Yuba

This Indo Chinese-Style Chilli Yuba is a quick and easy vegan dish for weeknights. Fresh beancurd sheets stir-fried with onions, peppers, fresh basil and a sweet and sour chilli sauce.

Course Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine Asian

Keyword high protein, stir fry, tofu, vegan, vegetables, vegetarian

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Equipment

• Wok

Ingredients

• 250 g fresh beancurd skin cut into 2cm squares
• 2 red onions sliced into 2cm pieces
• 2 peppers sliced into 2cm pieces
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• 8 large cloves garlic cut into corn-sized pieces
• 4-5 green chillies whole
• 3/4 tsp ground cumin
• 3/4 tsp ground coriander seeds
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tbsp agave or sugar of your choice
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 150 ml cold water
• 2 tbsp cornflour cornstarch
• 2 spring onions green parts only
• Handful fresh basil or Thai basil leaves
• Cooked Jasmine rice to serve

Instructions

• Heat the oil in a large wok until smoking hot. Add the garlic and chillies. Sauté briefly.
• Add the onions and peppers and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until softened.
• Add the ground cumin, ground coriander, ground black pepper, soy sauce, agave or sugar and salt. Stir fry for a further minute.
• Throw in the yuba and vinegar. Stir fry to coat.
• Mix together the cornflour and water. Add this straight to the wok and stir fry for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and turns glossy.
• Add the basil and spring onions and toss well. Serve immediately with cooked Jasmine rice or noodles.

Video

Notes

• Ensure the wok is smoking hot throughout the cooking process. Use the highest heat possible.

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I stuff the chillies with mixed masalas, jaggery and besan (chickpea flour). Each one is like a hot little flavour bomb.

This recipe is inspired by and based upon my mother’s Gujarati Bharela Marcha.

What are Bharela Marcha?

In Gujarati Bharela = stuffed. Marcha = chillies. So is this a curry? No. Bharela Marcha (Stuffed Bullet Chillies) are more of a side dish than a main.

They’re sauce-less because we serve them alongside other dishes. A fresh pickle, of sorts.

Is this a curry?

It’s neither a curry, nor a traditional pickle. Bharela Marcha are a fresh preparation of blistered chillies and masalas. And there’s no doubt they’ll add warmth and drama to any Indian main meal.

Stuffing for Bharela Marcha (Stuffed Bullet Chillies)

Watch out, this filling is loaded with flavours. Roasted besan, fennel seeds, achaar masala, cumin seeds, jaggery and erm… tomato ketchup.

That’s right, ketchup. I’m known for my dislike of the stuff when it comes to condiments but add it to the likes of Gujarati Ravaiya, Bateta nu Shaak and Bharela Marcha and I’m in. It makes a huge difference to the overall flavour. Huge.

While you could use tomato purée, the flavour will not be as slap-you-in-the-face delicious. Pinky promise.

What’s a bullet chilli?

Fat, thick-fleshed chillies with a noticeable cone shape. These chillies are super versatile and relatively mild. I use the green ones but the more mature chillies are red in colour. Both are ideal to use.

Where to buy this variety of chillies

Buy bullet chillies in your local Asian, Turkish or other Eastern European shop.

Can I use other types of chillies?

If you can handle the heat. The best options are fat chillies like these bullet chillies, jalapeños or even Padron peppers for an extra mild version.

If you’re brave enough, you can use long, thin chillies. These tend to be very hot. They also don’t have a much room for stuffing so you may find you need more chillies to use up all the masalas.

How to serve Bharela Marcha (Stuffed Bullet Chillies)

With Gujarati rotli/phulka roti or paratha and your favourite curry. My ideal Gujarati meal pairs Bharela Marcha with Dry Moong Curry, Kadhi, Rice and Paratha.

How to stuff chillies

Slit down the curved side of the chillies lengthways, stopping when you get halfway. We don’t want to cut all the way through the chillies, just open them up enough to stuff.

Gently prise the chillies apart and stuff each one with two teaspoons of stuffing. You’ll have about a tablespoon of filling left over.

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Bharela Marcha (Stuffed Bullet Chillies) recipe

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Bharela Marcha (Stuffed Bullet Chillies)

Masala-stuffed bullet chillies are a must for all chilli heads. A chickpea flour and pickling spice filling make these little poppers scream with flavour.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Indian

Keyword achaar masala, chickpea flour, chilli, curry, pickle

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Author Sanjana

Ingredients

• 10 bullet chillies
• 60 g chickpea flour
• 2 tbsp jaggery
• 2 tsp ground fennel seeds
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 1/4 tsp asafoetida
• 1/8 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
• 1/2 tbsp achaar masala
• 150 ml any cooking oil

To cook the chillies:

• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 4 tbsp oil divided
• 300 ml water
• 1 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped

Instructions

To prepare the chillies:

• Wash and dry the chillies. Trim off the very tip of the stalks, taking care to keep the rest of the stalks intact.
• Slit down the curved side of the chillies lengthways, stopping when you get halfway. We don't want to cut all the way through the chillies, just open them up enough to stuff.

To make the stuffing:

• In a bowl, add chickpea flour, jaggery, ground fennel seeds, tomato purée, lemon juice, turmeric, salt and bicarbonate of soda. Now, add tomato ketchup. This addition makes a big difference to the finished dish so don't skip it. Add achaar masala and asafoetida.
• Carefully pour 150ml hot oil over the top of the mixture and give everything a good stir. This will temper the spices and flours slightly and help them come together as a cohesive stuffing. Allow to cool slightly.

To stuff the chillies:

• Gently prise the chillies apart and stuff each one with two teaspoons of stuffing. You'll have about a tablespoon of filling left over.

To cook the chillies:

• Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and allow them to pop. Add cumin seeds and the reserved tablespoon of filling. Sauté for a minute and then add water. Stir well and cook for 30 seconds.
• Add the chillies and stir gently to coat. Cover the pan with a lid and cook over a low heat for 10 minutes, just until the chillies have softened slightly.
• Garnish with chopped coriander (optional) and serve.

Video

Notes

• These chillies freeze well. Allow to cool and freeze in an airtight container. Defrost at room temperature and heat thoroughly before serving. I find that 2 1/2 minutes in the microwave does this perfectly.

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If you like this, you’ll love my recipe for Gujarati Ravaiya (Stuffed Aubergine Curry)

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Gujarati-Style Okra & Potatoes

Gujarati-Style Okra & Potatoes (Bhinda Bateta nu Shaak) is an everyday comfort food in many Gujarati homes, including mine. It’s usually scooped up with soft, hot rotlis (chapattis), which is our daily bread. This curry is delicately flavoured with cumin seeds, turmeric, garlic and lemon juice for a fresh vegan dish that eats more like a stir fry than the heavy restaurant curries one might be used to.

Check out this recipe

30-Minute Tindora Curry with Corn

Tindora Curry with Corn is a simple, dry-style curry of tindora (ivy gourd) and sweetcorn. It's light, fresh and quick to prepare. Serve this weeknight vegetable dish with roti, phulka, paratha or rice. If you can't find tindora, try it with courgette cut to the same size.

Check out this recipe

Guvar Dhokli nu Shaak

Guvar Dhokli is a cluster bean and dumpling curry enjoyed in most Gujarati homes. This quick and easy version can be made in the Instant Pot for a speedy weeknight dinner alongside rotli and kachumber.

Check out this recipe

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I welcome the combination of wholesome and floury Maris Piper potatoes and sweet potatoes. While both are delicious in their own right, something rather magical happens when you marry them together with cream and masalas.

What is Garam Masala?

Garam masala (Hindi: गरम मसाला) is a blend of warming spices, used heavily in Indian dishes, most often in North Indian recipes. Grab my Homemade Garam Masala recipe here.

The cooler climate calls and rich Mughlai and Central Asian influences on North Indian cuisine are particularly suited to the “garam” (warm) spices in garam masala.

Garam masala is a flavour protagonist for many regional Indian cuisines: Awadhi, Bihari, Punjabi, Rajasthani and Himachali to name just a few sub-cuisines of Northern India.

What is Garam Masala made from?

There is no one-size fits all answer. Almost every family will have their own preferences.

Most recipes for garam masala call for a varying blend of the following spices:

Coriander seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, Indian bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon (or cassia), nutmeg, mace, peppercorns, black and green cardamom.

Some recipes call for dried chillies, while others do not.

Homemade Garam Masala vs. shop bought

There’s no denying the aromatic wave of flavour homemade garam masala brings. Add it to a curry, samosa filling or rice dish and it surpasses mediocrity and becomes a complete flavour bomb.

Having said this, I always keep a good blend of shop-bought Garam Masala in my cupboard for when I’m short of time and the homemade stuff.

I like both Jalpur Millers Garam Masala and BART Punjab Masala when it comes to the shop bought kind.

What kind of potatoes should I use for Garam Masala Potato Gratin?

Any floury potatoes, such as Maris Piper or King Edward are good choices. I like the orange-fleshed sweet potatoes for this but the white ones work fine too.

The purple variety of sweet potato can give the creamy sauce an odd colour. It tastes fine, however.

How to slice potatoes for gratin

You can prepare your potatoes by hand, simply using a sharp knife and chopping board. For even slices, use a mandoline (along with guard) to cut the potatoes into thin rounds.

Try to aim for a thickness of 1mm, but don’t worry if they are a bit thicker than this. The most important thing is that the potatoes are all uniform in size so they all cook at the same time.

Short of time? Chunk the potatoes up into wedges instead. Simple!

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Do I have to peel the potatoes?

Not at all. I do however, recommend scrubbing the white potatoes and peeling the sweet potatoes with a vegetable peeler.

Can I make this Indian-style potato gratin ahead of time?

Totally. Prepare the potatoes as instructed in the recipe. To clarify, pile the partially cooked potatoes into a baking dish, along with the cream. Cool, cover and refrigerate. Top with cheese before you bake the gratin.

Can I veganise this Garam Masala Potato Gratin?

It’s possible to replace the cream in this recipe with any plant-based cream, such as oat cream or even coconut milk. Use a vegan cheese alternative to sprinkle on top.

Is this Garam Masala Potato Gratin gluten free?

Yes. This recipe is free from wheat/gluten.

How to serve Garam Masala Potato Gratin

Once baked, allow the gratin to stand for 20-25 minutes. I know it sounds like an impossible ask but this will allow the creamy sauce to thicken and meld with the starchy potatoes.

Serve this gratin with your favourite grilled or pan-fried protein. I love it with seitan, tempeh and tofu. Although I’ve been known to eat it all by itself too!

Equipment I recommend for this recipe

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Garam Masala Potato Gratin recipe

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Garam Masala Potato Gratin

This simple double potato concoction with cream and freshly-ground spices is a dish I crave often.

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine French, Indian

Keyword baked, gratin, potatoes

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Author Sanjana

Ingredients

• 1 kg floury potatoes such as Maris Piper or King Edward
• 400 g sweet potatoes
• 400 ml double cream
• 350 ml hot vegetable stock
• 2 large cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp garam masala homemade or shop bought – recipe for homemade Garam Masala below)
• 100 g mature Cheddar
• 50 g vegetarian hard cheese Parmesan-style cheese
• 1 spring onion finely sliced

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 180°C/360°F/gas mark 4.
• Peel the potatoes and place them whole, in a large bowl of cold water.
• Slice the potatoes into 1mm thick rounds, either by hand or using a mandoline. If using a mandoline, be sure to use the hand guard. Once all of the potatoes are sliced, quickly move on to the next step. No need to put them back in the water. If you do, all that sauce-thickening starch will be washed away.
• Pile the potatoes into a large pot. Add the garlic, cream, vegetable stock and garam masala. At this stage you can also add chillies if you like it spicy. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
• Cook the potatoes and cream mixture uncovered for 10-12 minutes, or until a fork pierces a potato slice easily. Be sure not to over cook or the potatoes will turn to mush. Whilst simmering, use a spatula to tease and separate any potatoes that might have stuck together.
• Spoon the potatoes into a large baking dish. If you like, you can arrange them so the top layer looks pretty but this comfort food, not fine dining. Rustic is superb.
• Top the gratin with grated Cheddar and vegetarian Parmesan alternative (optional). Bake uncovered in a preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling. Garnish with sliced spring onions.
• Allow the gratin to stand at room temperature for around 20 minutes before serving. This will give the sauce and potato starches time to thicken and get to know each other.

Video

Notes

• This a deliciously creamy, potato gratin can be prepared ahead of time. Simply complete steps 2-6 and then cool, cover and refrigerate. Before serving, top with cheese and bake the gratin as directed in the recipe.
• To freeze: Once cool, wrap the fully cooked gratin tightly in cling film, then in foil. Freeze for up to 6 months. Cook from frozen in a preheated oven for 35 minutes or until piping hot.
• I find the stock and cheese salty enough to season the dish but if you like, you can add salt according to your taste.

If you like this, you’ll love my recipe for Homemade Garam Masala

Love Sanjana

The post Garam Masala Potato Gratin appeared first on Sanjana.Feasts.

The delicate beans pair beautifully with bouncy dumplings (“Dhokli”) made from chickpea flour, turmeric and ajwain (carom seeds). Each little Dhokli has an indentation in the middle to catch the sauce, just as Orecchiette (the ear-shaped pasta) does.

Video: How to make Guvar Dhokli nu Shaak

What is Guvar in English?

Cluster beans. These long, flat beans are also called “guar”, “gavar” and “gawar” depending on regional language and dialect.

It’s a legume from which which “guar gum”, a commercial thickener (similar in application to xanthan gum) is extracted. You will find guar gum in anything from ice cream and baked goods, to salad dressings and soups. These beans are big business.

India produces around 80% of the world’s guvar and it’s especially popular in northern and western parts of the country.

How do you clean cluster beans?

It’s extremely simple! Once I bring a bumper crop of Guvar home I follow these steps:

1. Wash the cluster beans in plenty of cold water.
2. Dry them thoroughly in a clean tea towel.
3. Top and tail the beans.
4. Cut very long beans in half.

It’s important to note that young beans make preparation very simple as they don’t contain many fibrous strands.

What if you have mature beans?

If your cluster beans are more mature (large and wide), you can boil them until tender and then peel off the fibrous strands that run down the long edge of the beans.

In this recipe, I choose young beans and cook them from their raw state. If your beans are large and mature, you will need to add the pre-boiled and cooled Guvar towards the end of the cooking time.

How to cook Guvar

Cluster beans require a longer cooking time in comparison to other green beans. They can be slightly tough so be sure to cook them for an ample amount of time.

Guvar and Digestion

Important! Guvar can sometimes be difficult to digest so Ayurvedic teachings almost always advocate the addition of ajwain (carom seeds) and hing (asafoetida) alongside.

Don’t forget these two Guvar partners. They’re like the Spongebob, Patrick, and Squidward of Gujarati curry!

What is Dhokli?

Lightly-spiced wheat and sometimes gram flour dumplings. To put it simply, they’re thicker than most pasta shapes but not as robust as gnocchi.

Dhokli can be rolled in many shapes. From long strips, squares and diamonds, to discs, buttons and logs.

How you roll your Dhokli is down to personal preference and the type of dish you happen to be cooking at the time.

How to serve Guvar Dhokli nu Shaak

My preference is to eat this Gujarati curry with Rotli (chapati) and salad or simply with plain rice. I often eat Guvar Dhokli nu Shaak with a dollop of yoghurt and nothing more. Since the carbs are already there in the form of Dhokli, you really can just eat this one-pot wonder with a spoon.

The thickness of this curry depends on personal preference. for example, if you’re eating it with rice, ensure it has a little more sauce. If you serve it with Rotli, you can get away with evaporating some of the water off at the end.

How to make Gujarati Guvar Dhokli nu Shaak

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Guvar Dhokli nu Shaak

Guvar Dhokli is a cluster bean and dumpling curry enjoyed in most Gujarati homes. This quick and easy version can be made in the Instant Pot for a speedy weeknight dinner alongside rotli and kachumber.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Keyword beans, curry, dumplings, gujarati, guvar, vegan

Prep Time 45 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Author Sanjana

Ingredients

• 100 g chickpea flour (gram flour/besan)
• 50 g plain flour (all-purpose flour/maida)
• 15 g coarse semolina
• 1/2 tsp ajwain (carom seeds)
• 1 tsp crushed garlic
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
• 1/4 tsp fine salt
• 1/8 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp oil (any cooking oil)
• 60 ml warm water

For the shaak:

• 400 g guvar (cluster beans)
• 2 tbsp oil (any cooking oil)
• 1/2 tsp ajwain (carom seeds)
• 1 1/2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tsp crushed garlic
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 1/2 tsp asafoetida
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 500 ml water
• 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves to serve

Instructions

To make the Dhokli (Dumplings):

• In a large bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients (including garlic). Make a well in the centre and add 1 tbsp oil. Pour in the water and mix to form a shaggy dough. Use your hands to knead the dough for 5-6 minutes. It should be slightly stiff. Add the remaining 1 tbsp oil and knead it in to the dough. Cover and allow the dough to rest for 20 minutes.
• Once rested, divide the dough into two equal parts. Cover the portion you're not going to work on again so it doesn't dry out.
• Roll the dough into a long sausage shape. It should be around 2cm/0.7-inches in diameter.
• Cut the ends of the dough off and set aside. Now cut the trimmed log of dough into rounds, about 1/2cm thick. Roll the dough portions into rounds between your palms and use your thumb to make an indentation in the centre of the dough. They should look like little buttons. Set the aside and repeat this process until all the dough has been used up.

For the curry:

• Top and tail the guvar, cutting any very large beans in half.
• Put the Instant Pot on sauté/browning mode and place the in the pot. Add ajwain and garlic. Cook for 30 seconds and then quickly add the tomato purée. Cook the paste out for 1 minute. Next, add the chilli powder, turmeric, asafoetida, salt and sugar. Stir well to combine.
• Add water and bring to the boil.
• Throw in the trimmed guvar and stir to coat. It might seem watery but remember the dhokli will need water to cook properly.
• Once the guvar has been stirred, add the dhokli and give them a very gently fold. Don't stir too much or they will break.
• Place the lid on the pot and cook on high pressure for 17 minutes exactly.
• Carefully release the steam after the cooking time is up. Open the lid and stir well. The dhokli should be cooked through and the guvar tender. Place back on sauté mode to evaporate some excess water but not too much as the dhokli will continue to absorb the water as it sits. If you remove too much, the curry will become dry.
• Garnish with fresh coriander and serve.

Video

Notes

Alternative cooking methods

Cooking instructions for other conventional pressure cookers remain the same.

To cook this curry in a regular pot/pan, follow the same instructions as above but instead of pressure cooking, the curry will need to be simmered over a low heat for 35-40 minutes. Stir often to avoid sticking. Top up with water if necessary.

Freezing

This Guvar Dhokli is suitable for home freezing. Pack the cooled curry into an airtight container and freeze for 3 months.

I like to double the Dhokli recipe and freeze the raw dhoklis on a tray. Once solid, they can be packed into a container or freezer-safe bag to add to curries from frozen.

 

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If you love this, you might also enjoy my Gujarati Daal Dhokli recipe

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The post Guvar Dhokli nu Shaak appeared first on Sanjana.Feasts.

This Indian rice dish is simple, comforting and utterly delicious. If you’re looking for something a little more traditional, skip the paneer.

You’ll need 10 ingredients. The dish is gluten free, vegetarian and so easy to veganise. What’s not to love?

Wait, what’s the difference between Gujarati-Style Matar Bhaat and Pulao?

Think of it this way: Pulao is the Hindi word for a rice dish in which you sauté rice in fat with spices, then add vegetables (or any protein of your choice). You then cover it with water and a lid. Finally, cook it until all the ingredients are fragrant and tender.

Gujarati-Style Matar Bhaat adopts this very same process. You could say it’s a type of pulao — just one that has its’ own name, history and repertoire in Gujarati cuisine. It’s a Gujarati treasure. We eat it with Kadhi (buttermilk cooked with spices and gram flour) and not much else.

How to serve Matar-Bhaat

You can enjoy it the Gujarati way — drowned in Kadhi, with a side of Khichiya Papad and raw onions. Or serve it as part of a large, thali-style meal. It’s a wonderful alternative to Jeera Rice when peas are in season.

Do I have to add peas?

Yes. It’s not Matar Bhaat without the matar (peas). You can opt for raw or frozen peas. If tender fresh peas in their pods are available, use them. There’s nothing quite like Matar Bhaat made with peas and their pods.

Do I have to add potatoes and paneer?

Not at all. If you’d like something more traditional, leave the potatoes and paneer out and add in more peas. I usually serve my Matar Bhaat with Kadhi as a one-bowl dinner which is why I like to bulk it out with some extras. Feel free to add any vegetables or protein you like.

What other vegetables can I add to Matar Bhaat?

Cauliflower, mushrooms, onions, peppers, courgettes and carrots are all great vegetable-based add ins.

How can I make a vegan version of this Gujarati-Style Matar Bhaat?

Simply replace the paneer for firm tofu (press it to drain excess water and pan-fry first). In place of tofu, you can also add cashews or peanuts. Swap the ghee for oil or your favourite plant-based butter.

Why do you add so few spices?

So here’s the key difference between Gujarati-Style Matar Bhaat and your average Pulao. Gujarati-Style Matar Bhaat is very delicate in flavour. It’s designed to carry the flavours of the sharp and tangy Kadhi you ladle on top.

Steaming hot, the two dishes eaten together are harmoniously sour, sweet, spicy and comforting. You’ll notice the absence of ginger, garlic, onions and chilli in this recipe — that’s because those ingredients would typically be in the dish you pair with the Gujarati-Style Matar Bhaat.

Let the flavour of the peas, and the fragrance of the Basmati rice shine.

My essentials for this recipe

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Gujarati-Style Matar Bhaat

My special version of Gujarati Matar Bhaat with super fluffy rice, fresh peas, potatoes and paneer. Serve it with Kadhi or as part of a larger thali-style meal. It's simple, comforting and utterly delicious. If you're looking for something a little more traditional, skip the paneer.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Indian

Keyword gujarati, peas, pulao, rice

Prep Time 45 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Author Sanjana

Ingredients

• 225 g long-grain basmati rice
• 250 g young peas in their pods (or peas without the pods)
• 225 g paneer diced (2cm cubes)
• 125 g potatoes peeled and diced (2cm cubes)
• 50 g ghee
• 2 tsp cumin seeds
• 5 cm stick cassia bark (or cinnamon)
• 10 curry leaves
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 550 ml hot water

Instructions

• Place the rice in a bowl. Wash it in plenty of cold water by gently swishing it with your hand. Be careful not to break the grains. Tip the water away and repeat another 2-3 times. This will clean the rice and also remove any excess starch for fluffy, separate grains.
• After the last drain, fill the bowl of rice with water once more. Add enough so the water level is 5cm above the surface of the rice. Allow to soak for 30 minutes.
• While the rice is soaking, prepare the peas, potatoes and paneer.
• To prepare the peas, top and tail them, also removing the long, stringy membrane that runs down the length (on both sides). Pop the pods open and remove the peas inside. Snap the top and pull downwards to remove the tough membrane from inside the pods. Do this for both halves. The pods and peas are now ready to cook.
• Peel and dice the potatoes in 1-2cm cubes (according to your preference). Place in a bowl and cover with plenty of cold water. Make sure they're all fully submerged. This will prevent the potatoes oxidising and turning brown. You can keep the skins on if you like.
• If you're using shop-bought paneer, cut it into 1-2cm cubes (according to your preference) and place it in a bowl. Pour hot water directly over the paneer until it's fully submerged. This will soften the paneer up beautifully. Skip this step if you're using homemade paneer.
• After the paneer has soaked for 10 minutes, you can drain it well (along with the potatoes) and fry them in oil or ghee if you like. However, I prefer not to brown the paneer or potatoes in this recipe.
• Melt the ghee in a large non-stick pan that has a tight-fitting lid. Once melted, add the cumin seeds, cassia bark and curry leaves. Sauté over a medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes to infuse the ghee with the delicate aromas of the spices.
• Drain the soaked rice well and add it to the pan. Sauté over a medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes. Fold the rice using a large spatula to ensure the delicate grains do not break. Once the rice is coated in ghee and very lightly toasted, add the paneer, potatoes and peas.
• Very gently combine the rice, vegetables and paneer. Season with salt.
• Pour in 550ml boiling water and give everything a final mix. Bring to the boil.
• Cover the top of the pan with a piece of aluminium foil – it shouldn't be touching the rice. Place the pan lid on top of the foil and press it down to seal the pot completely.
• Leave the pan over a moderate heat and cook for 5 minutes exactly. Once 5 minutes has elapsed, switch the heat off and leave the pan as it is for 20 minutes. Don't uncover it, not even for a second.
• After 20 minutes, remove the lid and carefully remove the foil to allow the steam to escape. Place the heat back on high and cook for 3-4 minutes. This will crisp up the bottom beautifully.
• The final step is to give the rice a final toss and fluff up with a fork. You can check the potatoes are cooked through by piercing them with a fork. They should be tender.
• Serve immediately with Gujarati-style Kadhi or in place of jeera rice alongside your favourite curry or daal.

Video

Notes

• Pack leftovers away in an air-tight container. Store in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Reheat thoroughly before serving.

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If you like this, you’ll love my recipe for Ruffled Vegetable Biryani

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The post Gujarati-Style Matar Bhaat appeared first on Sanjana.Feasts.

Of the hundreds of styles potato curry out there, this Gujarati Koru Bateta nu Shaak has to be one of my favourites. Its a representation of my mother’s love on a plate. My recipe is a reflection of hers and while it uses simple ingredients, the flavours never fail to blow me away.

The many forms of potato curry

With sauce, without sauce, spicy, mild, whole potatoes, sliced potatoes, diced potatoes, potato chips, stuffed potatoes and beyond. The many guises of potato curry are an endless fountain of creativity. Some have tomatoes, others have coconut, many are cooked with yoghurt, yet some are made creamy with nut and seed pastes. Sometimes they’re boiled, other times they’re fried, very often a dish will require you to do both.

I have an endless list of Potato Curries to try, but this is one I always flock home to this recipe. What can I say, I’m a creature of habit.

What makes this Gujarati Koru Bateta nu Shaak special?

The fluffiness of the potatoes. The golden crust you get from the addition of mashed potato. The tanginess of tomatoes. The buttery ghee and toasted cumin. The creamy cashews. The aromatic curry leaves. Indeed, there are so many delicious things about this style of potato curry.

Gujarati Koru Bateta nu Shaak: Troubleshooting

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Gujarati Koru Bateta nu Shaak

A tried and true recipe for Koru Bateta nu Shaak (Gujarati-style dry potato curry). This is my mother's exact recipe and the only way we make it at home. She has a few fabulous tips for achieving intense flavours and the perfect dry bhaji-style texture every time. This shaak pairs perfectly with Masala Poori and dahi (plain yoghurt).

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Keyword cashews, curry, gujarati, potatoes

Prep Time 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Sanjana

Ingredients

• 1 kg any floury potatoes (I used Maris Piper)
• 3 tbsp ghee
• 2 tsp whole cumin seeds
• 12 curry leaves
• 1/4 tsp asafoetida
• 20 whole cashews
• 5 cm piece ginger, grated (about 1 tbsp)
• 2 thin green chillies, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 100 ml water
• 2 tbsp instant mashed potato
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 50 g fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped

Instructions

To cook the potatoes:

• It's always best to cook the potatoes whole, in their skins for this recipe. Wash the potatoes and prick them all over with a fork. Place on a microwave-safe plate and cook on high power for 8-10 minutes or until cooked all the way through. A knife should slide into the potatoes easily.
• If you don't want to microwave the potatoes, you can steam them whole until tender. I don't recommend boiling the potatoes as they will absorb excess water which isn't ideal for a dry-style curry like this.
• Allow the potatoes to cool slightly and then peel off the skins. Set aside to cool down completely.
• Use clean hands to break the now cold potatoes up into large pieces. The edges should be rough and rugged all over. This will ensure the masala clings to the potatoes really well. Mash one potato up roughly using your hands. This will help everything stick together better.

For the masala:

• Heat the ghee in a large pan. Add the cumin seeds and allow to sizzle for a few seconds. Next, add in the curry leaves, asafoetida and cashews. Sauté for a minute or two, just until the cashews turn a little golden.
• Throw in the ginger, chillies, tomato ketchup and tomato puree. Cook over a medium heat, stirring all the time until the raw smell of the tomatoes cooks off, about 90 seconds.
• Add the turmeric, salt and sugar. Stir well and then top up with water. Cook for a further 30 seconds.
• Add the potatoes to the masala and stir to combine. Sprinkle over the instant mashed potato and stir well. This is an amazing addition to this style of curry as it helps to achieve the sukha aloo bhaji-style texture. Keep the potatoes over a medium heat and allow the base to turn slightly golden in colour. Mix well and repeat. The golden bits of potato add another layer of flavour.
• Sprinkle over the black pepper and fresh coriander leaves. Serve hot with Masala Poori.

Video

Notes

• Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• This curry is not suitable for freezing as it will change the texture of the potatoes significantly.

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If you like this, you’ll love my recipe for Masala Poori

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