Mix Veg Kurma

Its was one of those days when you are almost done with your vegetables and there is one of each kind left in your crisper and you wanna eat something tasty... I had one cup of frozen vegetables and very few fresh ones in my fridge... so combined the two and called it kurma! It was a great hit with the entire family. I made a no chilly version for my 1 year old and she gulped her food down in half the time.

Prep time: 20 mins

Cooking time: 20 mins

Serves: 3 - 4

INGREDIENTS

FOR PASTE

• Cashews - 10 - 12 (soaked for 15 - 20 mins)
• Poppy seeds - 1 tsp (soak with cashew)
• Cloves - 2
• Fennel Seeds - half tsp
• Green Chillies - 2 (can increase or not use at all)
• Garlic - 2 - 3 pods
• Ginger - 1" piece
• Fresh/ frozen coconut - 2 tbsp
• Water as needed

THE VEGGIES & CURRY

• Tomato - 1 medium to big size - chopped
• Onion - 1 medium - chopped
• Bay leaf - 1
• Clove - 1
• Cinnamon - 1 small piece
• Mixed vegetable - cubed - 2 - 2 and half cups (I used a combination of frozen and fresh) (carrot, peas, cauliflower, potato, zucchini, corn, beans, snow peas, sweet potato)
• Amchoor pwd / tamarind paste - 1 tsp (optional) - I like a little bit of sour taste
• Milk - 1/4 cup (optional... do not add milk if you adding amchoor or tamarind paste)
• Coriander & 1 slit green chilly to garnish
• Turmeric pwd - 1/4 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Oil - 1 to 2 tbsp
• Ghee - 1/4 tsp (optional)

PREP

• First soak your cashew with the poppy seeds
• Get the veggies into a pot of water with turmeric & salt and boil for about 15 mins / till they are semi cooked
• Cut the onions & tomatoes
• Soak the coconut in hot water if you are using frozen coconut
• Get your other ingredients organised.

COOKING

• Grind all the ingredients in the paste section and keep aside 
• In a pot add the oil & ghee (the ghee just adds to the flavour... its optional)
• Once its hot add the bay leaves, clove & cinnamon.
• Once it lets out a nice aroma add the onion and saute till the onion turns translucent
• Then add the tomatoes and cook till the raw smell disappears.
• Add the paste and saute for about 3 mins
• Add the semi cooked with some water and salt and get it to a boil
• Add the amchoor powder or tamarind paste or milk and simmer
• Taste check to adjust the spices / seasoning. Add more water / salt / chilly / sourness
• Let it simmer for about 5 mins
• Garnish with coriander and green chilly and serve hot with chapati or hot rice.

BABY VERSION / NO CHILLY VERSION 

• Grind all ingredients without the chilly. Take out two spoons of the paste and keep aside then add the chilly to the rest of the paste & grind it again.
• Keep aside a cup of your boiled vegetables.
• When you have to add the paste just take out a bit of the onion tomato mix and start making the baby version on the side.