800 g cauliflower, cut into medium sized flowerettes
1 tsp (9 g) yellow chilli powder
1 tsp (9 g) amchur powder
1/2 tsp (2 g) cummin powder
1/2 tsp (1.5 g) fresh black pepper powder, coarsely ground
A generous pinch of kasuri methi
For the garnishing: 30 g fresh pomegranate seeds
QUARTER the potatoes and then halve each quarter lengthwise. Blanch in salted
boiling water until al dente (almost cooked, but not soft and squishy). Drain and keep
aside. Sprinkle salt over the fenugreek and rub between the palms to reduce some of
the bitterness. Wash in running water, drain and keep aside.
Heat oil in a kadai or wok and season with mustard seeds. When they crackle, add
curry leaves. Stir for some time. Add the ginger paste and garlic paste. Stir-fry until the
moisture evaporates. Then add fenugreek and stir for a few seconds. Add cauliflower,
yellow chilli powder and salt. Stir well. Lower the heat. Cover and cook (for about six
minutes) until al dente. Uncover and increase to medium heat. Add potatoes and stir-fry
for five minutes. Sprinkle amchur powder, cummin powder, pepper powder and kasuri
methi. Stir well. Check the seasoning and remove from heat.
To serve:Remove to a serving dish, garnish with pomegranate and serve with tandoori
paratha, bidari paratha or puri.
184. Khatti Arvi Ka Saalan
Serves: Four
Time required: 50 minutes
16 medium sized arvi
2 tsp (10 ml) lemon juice
5 tbs (75 ml) oil
8 flakes (16 g) garlic
1/2-tsp (2 g) mustard seeds
1/2-tsp (2 g) cummin seeds
1 tsp (5 g) urad dal
4 whole dried red chillies
16 curry leaves
200 g onions, chopped fine
3/4 cup (180 ml) fresh tomato puree
4 tbs (60 ml) Tamarind pulp
3 tsp (15 g) coriander powder
1 1/2 tsp (7 g) chilli powder
1 tsp (5 g) turmeric powder
1 tbs (15 g) jaggery
Salt to taste
WASH the arvi thoroughly and cook with enough water till done. Add lemon juice and
bring to a boil again. Drain. When cool, peel and quarter lengthwise and reserve in a
panful of water.
Grate the jaggery and reserve in three tbs water.
Heat oil in a pan. Add garlic and saut over medium heat until light brown. Add mustard
seeds, cummin seeds, urad dal and whole red chillies. Stir until the seeds begin to
crackle. Add curry leaves. Stir for a minute. Add onions and saut until golden. Add
tomato puree, tamarind pulp, chilli powder and turmeric powder. Stir-fry until the oil
floats on top. Add salt and three cups water. Bring it to a boil. Lower the heat, add arvi
and jaggery. Bring it to a boil again. Lower the heat, simmer, stirring occasionally, until
the gravy reaches thin sauce consistency. Remove and adjust the seasoning.