Vegetable Kurma (Saravana Bhavan Style)

Ingredients: (Serves 5 - 6)

Mixed Vegetables   - 2 - 3 cups ( Carrot,Beans,Green peas,Potato, Cauliflower)
Bayleaf                         - 2 no
Star Anise                   - 1 no
Cumin seeds              - 1 tsp
Onion                           - 2 cups, chopped
Ginger Garlic paste - 1 tsp
Tomato                        - 1 cup, chopped
Mint leaves                - 5 - 6 leaves
Red chilly powder  - 1½ tsp
Turmeric powder    - ½ tsp
Garam masala powder - 1 tsp
Kasoori methi           - a pinch
Salt                                - as required
Oil                                  - 3 tbsp

To grind
Grated coconut       - ½ cup
Green chillies           - 3 nos
Fennel seeds             - 1 tsp
Cinnamon                   - 1 inch
Cloves                          - 4 nos
Cardamom                 - 2 no
Fried gram dal          - 3 tsp
Cashewnuts                - 8 - 10 nos
Poppy seeds               - 1 tsp

Preparation:

Clean and cut the vegetables into cubes. Steam the vegetables until they are 75% cooked.

Grind all the ingredients given under “To grind” to a smooth paste adding enough water.

Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan.Add the bay leaf and star anise. Saute for half a minute. Add cumin seeds,onions ,ginger garlic paste and saute till onions are transparent n raw smell goes off. Add mint leaves and the tomato pieces and saute until mushy. Add the ground coconut paste,turmeric powder,red chilly powder and Garam masala powder. Add the required salt and saute well till the raw smell of masala goes off.

Add the steamed vegetables and 1 cup of water. Mix well and let the vegetables cook completely over a medium flame with the lid on.

Add more water if required for the gravy and let it come to a boil. Add the kasoori methi and a give a quick mix.

Garnish with coriander leaves, if desired. Serve with chapathi / porotta.

Recipe Courtesy: Chitra's food book