Vegetable Khurma

Vegetable Khurma or Khorma is one of my favorite Indian dishes. It is a colorful medley of vegetables simmered in a thick coconut cashew gravy. The dish has a wonderful aroma imparted by Indian Spices.

Vegetable Khurma

The preparation of Khurma varies from region to region – specially South India and North India. I have tweaked the original Khurma recipe and have added a Keralite touch to it by grinding Curry Leaves along with Coconut and Cashews. This gave the dish a wonderful Light Green Color.

Here is my recipe for a Vegetable Khurma.

Ingredients

1. Diced Vegetables – as required (I used the following veggies :- 2 carrots, 1 potato, 1/4 cup green peas, 1/4 cup corn, 2 cups cauliflower florets and 1 cup green beans)
2. Cinnamon Sticks (Patta) – 2 half inch pieces
3. Cardamom (Elakka) -3
4. Cloves (Grambu) – 4
5. Star Anise (Thakkolam) – 1
6. Fennel Seeds (Perum Jeerakam) – 1/2 tsp
7. Bay Leaves – 2
8. Sliced Onion – 1 big
9. Slit Green Chillies – 5
10. Chopped Ginger – 2 tsp
11. Chopped Garlic – 2 tsp
12. Curry Leaves – A sprig
13. Cashew halves –  6
14. Raisins – 2 tbsp
15. Garam Masala Powder – 1/2 tsp
16. Coconut Milk – 1 Cup (Optional)
17. Oil – 3 tbsp
18. Salt – to taste
19. Water – As Needed

For Grinding

1. Grated Coconut – 2 Cups
2. Cashew nuts – 1/2 cup
3. Turmeric Powder – 1/4 tsp
4. Cumin Powder – 1/4 tsp
5. Coriander Powder – 1/2 tsp
6. Salt – to taste

Method

1. Cover and cook the vegetables in 1/2 cup of water along with little salt, till they are half done. Use a non stick pan while cooking the vegetables so that you have to use very little water. Do not overcook the veggies. It should be firm.
2. Heat a tbsp of oil in a pan. Add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, cardamom, bay leaves and fennel seeds and saute for a minute. You can also add a few cashews and raisins and saute for a minute. Remove everything with a slotted spoon. Keep the roasted spices and nuts aside.
3. Add 2 tbsp of oil to the same pan. Saute the sliced onions till translucent.
4. Add the slit green chillies, curry leaves, thinly sliced ginger and garlic pieces and saute for a few minutes.
5. Remove half of the above sauteed onion mixture and allow it to cool.
6. To the remaining half, continue adding 1/2 tsp Garam Masala Powder and saute for a minute.
7. Add the half cooked veggies to the wok and saute lightly for a few minutes.
8. Add the roasted spices and nuts to the pan.
9. Meanwhile, grind coconut, cashews, sauteed onion mixture along with a pinch of turmeric, salt, cumin powder and coriander powder to form a thick paste. Add 1/2 cup of water while grinding.
10. Add the coconut-cashew-onion paste to the pan and mix everything well. (Grinding Onions is an optional step just to enhance the taste.)
11. Pour 1 cup of thin coconut milk/water for gravy. If you like more gravy, add more water. Simmer for 10 – 12 minutes. When the khurma cools, the gravy will thicken.
12. You vegetable khurma is ready to served with Rotis or Parathas.

Mixed Vegeatble Khurma being cooked