A CLASSIC FROM PUNJAB THIS VEGETARIAN DISH REALLY DOES RESEMBLE A CHICKEN KHEEMA. RICH, ITS IDEAL FOR A PARTY OR SPECIAL OCCASION.
INGREDIENTS
2 MEDIUM HEADS OF CAULIFLOWER OR 1 KG/2.2 POUNDS, LEAVES REMOVED, CUT INTO LARGE FLORETS INCLUDING THE STEM AND WASHED
3 TBSP VEG OIL PLUS MORE
1 DRIED BAY LEAF OR TEJ PATTA
1 BLACK CARDAMOM OR BADI ELAICHI
1 TSP TURMERIC POWDER
1 TSP SALT
FOR THE MASALA
3 TSP GHEE
1 TSP JEERA WHOLE
5 GREEN CHILLIES WHOLE, STALKS REMOVED
2 TBSP GINGER PASTE
2 TBSP FRESH JULIENNED GINGER
200 GRAMS WHISKED FRESH YOGURT (NOT SOUR)
1 TSP CUMIN POWDER
1/2 TSP FENNEL POWDER
1/2 TEASPOON CLOVE POWDER
2 TSP RED CHILLI POWDER
1/4 TSP BLACK PEPPER POWDER
1 TSP CINNAMON POWDER
1 TSP TURMERIC
1 TSP DRIED METHI LEAVES OR KASOORI METHI
SALT AND SUGAR TO TASTE
FINELY CHOPPED CORIANDER LEAVES AND LEMON JUICE TO GARNISH
METHOD:
WHISK YOGURT WELL WITH ALL THE DRIED AND POWDERED SPICES INCLUDING GINGER PASTE AND KASOORI METHI UNTIL SMOOTH AND RESERVE.
WIPE CAULIFLOWER DRY. PROCESS THE STALK AND FLORETS IN A FOOD PROCESSOR TILL YOU HAVE A STREUSEL OR CRUMBLE LIKKE CONSISTENCY. YOU CAN DO THIS MANUALLY AS WELL USING A MINCING KNIFE.
SPRINKLE WITH SALT AND TURMERIC AND TOSS WELL.
IN A LARGE OVER SIZED KADAI OR WOK HEAT 3 TBSP OIL ON HIGH HEAT AND ADD BLACK CARDAMOM AND BAY LEAF AND COOK TILL THEY SIZZLE. ADD ALL THE CAULIFLOWER AND TOSS WELL. COOK 7-8 MINUTES. THEN DRIZZLE ANOTHER TBSP OF OIL ON THE SIDES OF THE WOK AND CONTINUE TO COOK UNTIL GRANULES SOFTEN BUT HOLD SHAPE -7-8 MINUTES. REMOVE FROM FIRE AND SPOON INTO A DISH AND RESERVE.
RETURN WOK TO HIGH HEAT. HEAT GHEE AND THEN ADD CUMIN SEEDS. COOK TILL FRAGRANT AND GOLDEN. ADD THE GREEN CHILLIES AND SAUTE ONE MINUTE. ADD THE JULIENNES OF GINGER. THEN LOWER FLAME TO MEDIUM AND ADD THE YOGURT SPICE MIX AND RAPIDLY KEEP STIRRING IT TO PREVENT SPLITTING FOR ABOUT 2-3 MINUTES. ADD 1 TSP SALT.
NOW KEEP COOKING TILL OIL LEAVES THE SIDES.STIR TO PREVENT BURNING.
TO FINISH
ADD THE MINCED CAULIFLOWER. TOSS WELL AND COOK 3-4 MINUTES UNTIL COMBINED.
ADD MORE SALT IF REQUIRED. ADD 1 TSP SUGAR AND MORE IF YOGURT WAS A LITTLE SOUR. A TSP OF SUGAR BALANCES THE FLAVOURS WELL.
GARNISH WITH FRESH, FINELY CHOPPED CORIANDER LEAVES (OPTIONAL) AND A SQUEEZE OF LIME OR LEMON JUICE. SERVE HOT WITH ROTIS.