“Navratan” – nav meaning ‘nine’ and ratan for ‘gems’… As the name suggests, the dish is exotic in every aspect and is also referred to as the Nine Gems Curry or Nine Jeweled Curry. The nine main ingredients in this recipe are a combination of vegetables & fruits. “Korma” which has its royal origins from the Mughlai cuisine of the Indian subcontinent, signifies dishes cooked in a mix of spices, dry fruits, nuts and cream. Together, Navratan Korma is a culmination of exotic and royal flavors, a delicacy with a perfect balance of spices!

One of the highlights of this recipe is the flexibility it provides in terms of the ingredients used. Although requiring nine main ingredients, you do not have to stick to a fixed set and instead can cook with what is available in your pantry. Paneer being a good protein source can also be added to this dish, although it is a personal choice and not a mandate, you can make this dish without paneer as well. This recipe is also an excellent source to include a variety of vegetables in your diet. The creamy consistency and its mild n sweet taste makes even kids to enjoy it without much hesitation.

There are many variations of this korma; using different spices, adding fresh fruits, replacing cream with yogurt, and so on. However, this method of preparation is my personal favorite. I love the addition of raisins and honey along with fresh fruits, which give the dish a natural sweetness. For all the vegans out there, you can easily convert this recipe into a vegan version by simply substituting milk cream with coconut milk, butter/ghee with coconut oil, honey with maple syrup / brown sugar, and paneer with tofu.

Navratan korma is a usually served during the festive season but can be enjoyed anytime, it is also a restaurant delicacy. It is a comfort food and its creamy texture makes it a perfect side dish to go with roti, naan or rice.

If you love Korma dishes, check out another recipe from my blog archives; a South Indian style Vegetable Kurma.

Enjoy, Happy Cooking…!

Follow me on Instagram, try out the recipes and tag #pepperdelightblog to all your pictures of Pepper Delight recipes you prepare. Rate us if you love it!

Print

Navratan Korma

An Exotic Dish from the Hearts of Mughlai cuisine, Navratan Korma! Made with Nine different Vegetables, Fruits and Nuts in a Mild & Semi-Sweet Creamy Gravy!!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Indian

Keyword korma, kurma, navratan korma

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Cooling Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings 5

Author Akhila

Ingredients

For the curry paste

• 4-5 cashews
• 1- inch sized ginger
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 large onion (roughly cubed)
• 2 big tomatoes (roughly cubed)

Veggies

• ¾ cup cauliflower florets
• ½ cup frozen green peas
• ½ of a red bell pepper (cubed)
• ½ of a green bell pepper (cubed)
• 1 carrot (cubed)
• 1 potato (cubed)
• ½ cup beans (sliced an inch length)
• ½ cup paneer (cubed)

For the korma

• 1 tbsp butter/ghee
• ½ tsp cumin
• 1 bay leaf
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp coriander powder
• ¼ tsp garam masala
• ¼ cup cashews
• ¼ cup raisins
• 1 tbsp kasuri methi / dried fenugreek leaves (crushed)
• 1-2 tbsp honey
• ¼ cup milk cream (optional)
• 2 cups water (plus more)
• Cilantro leaves (chopped, to garnish)
• ¼ cup pomegranate seeds (to garnish - optional)
• Oil (as required)
• Salt (as required)

Instructions

• Slice ‘em up: Clean and cut veggies as per the above ingredient list. For more veggie options see notes section below.
• Cook hard vegetables: Boil cauliflower, potatoes, beans and carrots by adding turmeric powder, salt and water (just enough to cover the veggies) until they are cooked well. Strain, reserve the stock, and also keep aside the cooked veggies separately.
• Fry ‘em up: In a small pan, toast paneer cubes on both sides until they are golden. Transfer to a bowl and in the same pan, fry cashews and raisins until they are golden. Keep aside.
• Make the curry paste: In a pan, heat little oil on medium heat and add cashews, ginger, garlic, onions. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, followed by adding tomatoes. Sauté until they are slightly cooked and mushy. Switch off the flame and allow it to cool. Once it is cooled, grind them into a thick paste.
• The Curry: Heat butter/ghee in a large pan, add cumin seeds and bay leaf. Sauté until they are fragrant. Add the grinded curry paste, sauté and cook until the color of the curry slightly changes and becomes thick.
• Add spice powders: Chili, turmeric, coriander powder and garam masala. Sauté for 4-5 minutes on a low flame until the oil starts to separate.
• Add bell peppers and green peas; mix well with the masala.
• Add 1 cup of the reserved stock, season with salt and bring the curry to a boil. Once it starts boiling, add the cooked veggies and 1 tbsp honey; check and add more if needed. Add crushed kasuri methi, stir and mix the curry well.
• Add toasted paneer, fried cashews, raisins and milk cream. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Check for the seasoning.
• Garnish: Switch off the flame and garnish with cilantro leaves. Garnish with pomegranate seeds once the curry is slightly cooled and ready to serve.
• Serve: Goes well with Rice, Roti, Naan or any bread. Enjoy!

Notes

1. Veggies: Red Green Yellow bell pepper, cauliflower, beans, carrots, green peas, potato, broccoli, snow peas, squash, corn

2. Fruits: Pomegranate seeds, grapes, pineapple

3. To make it Vegan: Substitute milk cream with coconut milk, paneer with tofu, ghee / butter with coconut oil, and honey with maple syrup / brown sugar.

4. The strained water / stock in which the veggies were cooked in step 2 can be reserved for step 8 while preparing the curry.

5. If you are adding pineapple or grapes, you can add them at step 9.

The post Navratan Korma appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Kootu Curry is a traditional side dish served mostly for festivals & celebrations in Kerala, like Onam, Vishu, and marriages. Along with the endless curries served in a Sadya (traditional vegetarian feast of Kerala), Kootu Curry makes its presence unique by being the only curry which uses roasted coconut as a topping. The word kootu means ‘a mix or combination’, and the recipe is a mix of different vegetables and chickpeas simmered in a coconut cumin gravy, and later topped with browned/fried coconut.

The vegetables used for this dish differ from place to place in Kerala. It’s most common ingredients are Chena (yam), Kaya (raw plantain) and black/white chickpeas, but variants like Pumpkin and Ash gourd are also popular.

I must confess that this recipe is a coconut overload in various forms, be it fresh, oil, or fried. Its major highlight is the addition of fried coconut with curry leaves and dry red chilies, which adds a nice aroma and flavor to the dish. Kootu Curry is a non-spicy, lightly sweet, and a completely satisfying side dish; it pairs wonderfully with steamed rice and daal/lentil curry.

Enjoy, Happy Cooking…!

Follow me on Instagram, try out the recipes and tag #pepperdelightblog to all your pictures of Pepper Delight recipes you prepare. Rate us if you love it!

Print

Kootu Curry/Kerala Style Plantain and Yam Curry

Kerala Style Kootu Curry… made with Yam, Plantain and Black Chickpeas – A Sadya Delicacy…! 

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Indian

Keyword kerala sadya, kootu curry

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 5

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 1 cup kadala / black chickpeas
• 1½ cup water + more
• 1 medium sized raw plantain (cut into cubes)
• 1 cup yam (cubed)
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ cup + ½ cup grated coconut
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp pepper powder
• 1 tbsp jaggery
• 2 sprigs of curry leaves
• 2 dry red chilies
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• Coconut oil (as required)
• Salt (as required)

Instructions

• Soak black chickpeas overnight. Pressure cook it with water and a pinch of salt for 3 whistles. Once cooled, drain the water and keep aside. Also set aside the cooked black chickpeas separately.
• Grind ½ cup grated coconut with cumin seeds to a coarse paste, keep aside.
• In a separate pan, add the above drained water, vegetables, turmeric powder, chili powder, & salt, and cook on a medium flame. Once it starts boiling, simmer it and cook until the veggies are soft, properly cooked, until the water dries out. Add more water if necessary.
• Lightly mash the cooked vegetables with the back of a wooden spoon. Add the cooked black chickpeas and the grinded coconut paste, mix well and continue cooking till the raw coconut smell subsides.
• Now add pepper powder and jaggery to the pan, mix well and check for the seasoning. Place the lid, cook for another 2-3 minutes, and then switch off the flame.
• To prepare the tempering / garnish, heat oil in a separate pan and splutter mustard seeds. Add curry leaves, dry red chilies and grated coconut. Roast the coconut until they turn golden brown.
• Pour this over the cooked chickpea veggies, mix well. Your Kootu Curry is ready, serve with rice and daal curry!

Notes

1. Pumpkin and Ash gourd can also be added as alternate vegetables while making Kootu Curry.

2. Using jaggery in this dish is completely optional as it’s specific to certain places in Kerala.

3. Coconut oil is ideal for all authentic Kerala recipes.

The post Kootu Curry appeared first on Pepper Delight.

A Healthy n Hearty Kerala Style Mixed Vegetable Curry… Cooked in a Coconut Cumin Green Chili mix! Avial… the inevitable element of a Sadya…!!

Avial is one of the most popular traditional vegetarian dishes of my hometown Kerala, and as well in Udupi cuisine. It is favored for its simplicity, use of locally available vegetables, and ease of preparation. Avial is also one of the main dishes served during a Sadya; the biggest vegetarian feast of Kerala. It being a South Indian delicacy, is also served for celebrations, special occasions, and as a regional specialty in many international restaurants.

The origin of this dish has various mythological stories behind it. One among them goes back to the Virata Parva of Mahabharat, when Prince Bhima was living in disguise as a cook named Ballava. Bhima did not like to waste vegetables and to ensure all leftovers were used, he created a recipe by boiling all the vegetables into a single dish with spices and lots of coconut. The word Avial inherently means boiling everything in water. Whoever tasted his dish loved it so much and that’s how this recipe named Avial thereafter became popular.

Avial can be prepared in different ways with the variations ranging from the type of vegetables used, the sour agent, and the pot in which it is cooked. The lengthwise cut of the vegetables is signature to the recipe. You might have noticed in my ingredients photo that the yam is square shaped. That’s due to the unavailability of fresh yam where I live and I’m forced to use frozen yam which comes in packets as small cubes. Traditional cooking in earthern pot / manchatti is preferred for all Kerala recipes including avial, as it enhances the flavor of the dish. The sour agent used varies in different regions of Kerala; tamarind, tomato, yogurt or green mango are the common ones. You may use just one or multiple types of sour agents together in your recipe, although I prefer a combination of tomato and a little tamarind.

The choice of vegetables in an Avial recipe are endless, so I highly recommend you read the Notes section below. While cooking, ensure not to overcook the vegetables. Some of them like yellow cucumber contain a lot of water and cook pretty fast ending up losing it crunchiness, so I would recommend cooking the dish on a low flame to get it right. And don’t forget to finally top the avial with coconut oil and curry leaves, it elevates the taste all together…!

Enjoy, Happy Cooking…!

Follow me on Instagram, try out the recipes and tag #pepperdelightblog to all your pictures of Pepper Delight recipes you prepare. Rate us if you love it!

Print

Avial / Mixed Vegetables in Coconut Gravy

A Healthy n Hearty Kerala Style Mixed Vegetable Curry… Cooked in a Coconut Cumin Green Chili mix! Avial… the inevitable element of a Sadya…!!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Indian

Keyword avial, aviyal, kerala

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 5

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• ½ cup elephant-foot yam / chena
• 1 cup snake gourd / padavalanga
• 1 small raw banana / pacha kaya
• 1 small yellow cucumber / vellarikka
• 1 carrot (sliced lengthwise)
• 4-5 drumsticks (slit)
• 1 small tomato (sliced)
• ½ cup grated coconut
• 2 shallots
• 3 green chilies
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ¼ teaspoon of chili powder
• 1 small piece of gooseberry sized tamarind
• 3 sprigs of curry leaves
• ½ cup water
• 1-2 tbsp coconut oil
• salt (as required)

Instructions

• Peel / scrape the skin off of the yam, cucumber, carrot, drumsticks and raw banana. Pit the cucumber and the snake gourd.
• Clean and rinse all the above vegetables properly in water, and then slice them lengthwise. Keep aside.
• Make a paste of coconut, cumin seeds, shallots, and green chilies. Keep aside.
• Soak tamarind in a bowl with 4 tbsp of water and keep aside.
• In a pan / manchatti, cook the vegetables along with one strand of curry leaves, turmeric powder, chili powder and salt. Cover the lid and cook on a medium flame until the vegetables are half cooked.
• Squeeze the soaked tamarind to extract its juice, add it to the pan. Cook for another minute.
• Now add the grinded coconut paste and mix all the contents of the pan well. Allow the curry to boil for another 2-3 minutes on a low flame. At this stage, check for the seasoning. Ensure not to overcook the vegetables.
• Top with coconut oil and curry leaves, give it a final stir. Turn off the flame, cover the lid and allow it to rest for another 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve with hot steamed rice.

Notes

1. Vegetable options: Yellow Cucumber, Snake Gourd, Ash Gourd, Bottle Gourd, Elephant Foot Yam, Carrot, Potato, Drumsticks, Beans, Okra, Bitter Gourd, Raw Banana, Pumpkin, Egg Plant.
2. Sour agent options: Tamarind / Green Mango / Yogurt / Tomato
3. Ensure not to overcook the vegetables, they should maintain the shape and the curry should neither be too watery nor dry.
4. Using of Coconut oil is recommended for all authentic Kerala recipes.

The post Avial / Mixed Vegetables in Coconut Gravy appeared first on Pepper Delight.