Monday, October 11, 2010

Spicy Cauliflower and Peas | Easy Indian

This past weekend I had friends over for dinner. The chocolate chip cookies made it to the dinner -- I exhibited a lot of will power! I cooked Indian to expand my repertoire from the motherland. It was also the easiest way to feed a friend who is both trying out a vegan and gluten free diet. Kind of tough but very doable. Plus, one of the three dishes was in the freezer which then required me to make only two dishes, one that I knew how to make and a new one! The starter course was the lentil sambar that I wrote about a few posts ago. I also made this absolutely scrumptious and easy cauliflower and pea dish which takes about 45 minutes max (probably less once you've made it at least once) including the chopping up of the cauliflower and grinding up of the cumin and coriander, unless you already have them in the ground form.

Personally, I now keep only the seeds because the potency of these spices lasts longer. Plus, I enjoy using the mortar and pestle to grind up spices. It's a relaxing to pound away the troubles of the day and simultaneously have mouth watering aromas waft up to your nose. It's a win-win. This dish is great for those that love cauliflower -- I've used all varieties including green, white, orange and purple -- and are vegetarian or vegan. It's fairly quick and can be served with dal, rice, raita, etc. The dish is also extremely attractive and tastes and looks great with short grain brown rice. It's a good blend of spices and is not too hot, not like the hot I've described with curry and sambar powders.

This recipe had a few errors that I correct for, like cooking the cauliflower for 40 minutes. The cauliflower will cook in approx. 15-20 minutes and the dish, if served alone, probably does not serve 4-6, more like 2-3.

Yes, the dish does appear fluorescent yellow. That's the turmeric in action!

Ingredients
- 6 T oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 inch ginger root, minced
- 1 medium cauliflower, cut into small florets
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground red chili, (reduce to 1/4 tsp if you're sensitive to spice)
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- salt to taste
- 2/3 c water
- 9 oz peas (frozen is fine!)

Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation
1. Heat the oil in a heavy-base pan and fry the mustard seeds over medium heat until the start crackling (cover with lid so you don't get splattered).

2. Add the cumin seeds and fry until browned.

3. Add the ginger and cauliflower and fry for 10 minutes until lightly browned.

4. Stir in the coriander, garam masala, cumin, chili, turmeric, salt and water, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender, stirring occasionally.

5. Stir in the peas and simmer for 5 minutes until tender. Sprinkle the cilantro and serve hot.

24 comments:

Valerie Gamine said...

Nirmala, this sounds and Looks delicious! I usually prefer raw cauliflower, but I think I could be talked into enjoying this.

Chocolate chip cookies are not easy on the will power, Good job! :~D

♥peachkins♥ said...

This looks like it would be a great side dish!

Julie M. said...

Yum! I really, really love indian food. I need to try grinding my own spices; we have an awesome indian grocery store here that sells them whole.

Thanks for sharing, it looks really tasty!

Jaime and Jen DISH said...

OMG, this looks so good! As soon as I saw the pictures, my mouth started to water. Now I need to do another grocery run!!! Love Cauliflower and then peas, too? YES PLEASE!

Jenifer

Carol said...

Love cauliflower and peas, looks great together. So many delicious flavors in your recipe.

A SPICY PERSPECTIVE said...

I'm totally loving this--lucky friends!

PS~ SEE??? You DO cook Indian! In another post you said you didn't really.

Pam said...

I love the flavors and textures of this dish. It looks delicious.

Hannah said...

Every single night this week I've been having steamed cauliflower and peas with my dinner... I am absolutely going to have to jazz them up with spices and make your recipe tonight instead!

lou said...

I love indian vegetable dishes, full of so much flavour! Looks good x

Anu said...

wow..Nirmala its really a mouth watering recipe..fell like having it now..

Love2cook Malaysia said...

A BIG Hello from Malaysia! :D

Hi Nirmala, thank U for dropping by at love2cook's! Sorry for my late return. :)

Cauliflower dish looks yumm, would love to have it just like that! :D

Unknown said...

I love this recipe, it looks so delicious and healthy! We've been eating a lot of Indian recently, mostly vegetarian dishes too so I'll be sure to add it to the mix!

Yes turmeric turns things bright yellow! YUM!

Katerina said...

It is loaded with veggies and spices. I can only imagine the flavors.

Tasha said...

Cauliflower and peas are favorites in our house, and I'm sure combined along with all those spices must make for a very delicious meal.

chow and chatter said...

oh wow love this like aloo gobi your motherland would be proud smiles

Ameena said...

I love this dish - I especially love that you titled it "easy Indian" for challenged cooks like myself. I've made similar things before but never with a proper recipe - I am looking forward to trying it out soon!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Nirmala, what a lovely Indian dish. I'm sure I would like spicy cauliflower and the peas make it look so beautiful.
Sam

Gloria Baker said...

Nirmala I love cauliflowers and this recipe look yummY! gloria

Joanne said...

Cooking for people with dietary restrictions is HARD. But you did a great job! what a seriously tasty dish!

And in response to your question on my blog, you could totally make the dough without a stand mixer, just knead it by hand for about ten minutes before letting it rise!

Stella said...

Hey Nirmala, this dish is my kind of food. I love anything Indian with Cauliflower and peas-such a classic combination. Yours looks really nice. Hmm, I have the peas right now but not the flower (smile).
I bet your gluten free/vegan friend was happy too!

Barbara said...

Gosh this looks really good, Nirmala! Love the color and the flavors!

Good for you, resisting the cookies!

Rita said...

I just love tis combinations and I know we would really love this.
Rita

Joyti said...

O, sounds delicious. I don't like most Western preparations for cauliflower, it needs some turmeric and garlic and SPICE in my opinion. Your dish sounds like its definitely right up my alley.

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

That dish is lovely! So healthy and flavorful. I love those veggies.

Cheers,

Rosa