Cauliflower Masala Gravy ( No Onion No Garlic)

Hi all, this is another recipe which I tried during the festival of Navaratri and it came out so well that no one would have believed there was no onion or garlic use in this. It was creamy, tasty and just delicious. So, here it goes

CAULIFLOWER MASALA GRAVY

Cauliflower Masala Gravy

INGREDIENTS

Cauliflower Florets : 1 to 1 and 1/2 Cups

Tomato: 1 Medium

Ginger: 1 Tbsp Chopped

Green Chilli 1

Bay Leaf: 1 Medium

Cloves: 3-4

Sesame Seeds: 1 Tbsp

Cashews: 1 Tbsp soaked in water for 10 minutes

SPICES

Turmeric: 1/2 Tsp

Red Chilli Powder: 1 Tsp

Jeera-Dhania Powder: 1 Tsp

Garam Masala: 1 Tsp

Salt as required

Oil and Butter 1 Tbsp each.

Freshly chopped Cilantro/Coriander

Kasoori methi crushed 1 Tsp

MAKING

In a kadai pan, add 1/2 Tsp Butter. Once melted and clarified, add in the Bay leaf, Cloves, Sesame Seeds, 1 Green Chilli, Chopped Ginger and Cashews. Saute them well until it changes color. remove them and keep aside. In the same kadai, add butter and oil. Once heated, add the cauliflower florets and saute until the edges becomes light brown. Remove the florets and set aside.

In a blender, add the set aside sauteed cashew mix, add the roughly chopped tomato and blend them into a nice paste with a little water and set aside.

Take the same kadai, add butter and oil. Once hot, add in the cashew tomato pasted and cook for a couple of minutes in low flame. Now add in the cauliflower florets and cook again for 3-4 minutes. You can add water if it gets too dry.

To this add the Turmeric, Red chilli powder, Jeera-Dhania powder. Add required salt and enough water(1/4th or 1/2 cup) to cook for another 3-4 minutes in medium flame until the gravy thickens. 

Finally add some crushed Kasoori Methi and Garam Masala. Cook for another minute before garnishing it with freshly chopped Coriander leaves (Cilantro)

Delicious Cauliflower Masala Gravy is ready. Serve it hot with Chapathi's Parathas or Naans. You could also eat it with plain rice

TIPS/VARIATIONS

Remove the Bay leaf and cloves after sauteeing them and before grinding them in the blender.

I used a mix of Unsalted butter and oil to give the gravy added flavor

The use of Sesame Seeds gave an added flavor to the gravy

No Onion No Garlic Aloo Baji (Potato gravy)

Hi all, so its the festival time and during festivals we strictly avoid any use of garlic or onion. So came across this recipe and decided to try it giving it my own touch with ingredients available in my pantry. It came out really well and was a big hit with my family. So here it goes. 

POTATO GRAVY (ALOO BAJI)

Aloo Baji (Potato Gravy)

INGREDIENTS

Potatoes: 1 big or 2 Medium boiled

Tomato: 1 Medium

Hing ( Asafoetida) : 1 Tsp

Bay Leaf: 1 medium

Cloves: 3-4

Cumin: 1 Tsp

Green Chillies: 2-3 finely chopped

Ginger: 1 Tbsp Chopped

Besan ( Gram Flour): 1 Tbsp

SPICES

Turmeric: 1/2 Tsp

Red Chilli Powder: 1 Tsp

Jeera-Dhania Powder: 1 Tsp

Chat Masala: 1 Tsp

Salt as required

Kasoori Methi: 1 Tsp crushed

Garam Masala: 1/2 Tsp

OTHER

Butter: 1 Tbsp

Oil : 1 Tbsp

Water 2-3 cups

Freshly chopped Coriander / Cilantro for garnish

MAKING

In a kadai add oil and butter. Once its heated, add the Hing, Cumin seeds, Bay leaf, Cloves, Green chillies and chopped ginger and saute. To this, add the Besan and saute in low flame for 3-4 minutes. Add in the chopped tomatoes and saute for a few minutes until the tomatoes have softened. Now add in the boiled potatoes. Saute and mix well for a few minutes before adding the spices (Turmeric, Red chilli powder, Jeera-Dhania powder, Chat masala and required salt ). Mix well and saute for a couple of minutes. Then add about 2-3 minutes and allow it to boil in low to medium flame until the gravy and the spices have cooked and mixed well. Finally add in crushed kasoori methi and 1/2 Tsp of Garam Masala and garnish with freshly chopped Cilantro/Coriander leaves.

Delicious Aloo Baji is ready to be served. Serve it hot with Rotis or Pooris

TIPS/VARIATIONS

Use your hand to mash the boiled potatoes when adding to the pan.

You could use sea salt or rock salt as well

You could also use Tomato Puree instead of chopped tomatoes.