Ayurveda Vegetable Korma Recipe

(Tomato Free Creamy Version) 

Vegetable Korma is a delicious combination of several vegetables in a creamy sauce. It is often served in Indian restaurants. Veggie korma can be served with any Indian bread or rice.  Veggie korma is also known as navratan korma-named for the "nine jewels" of veggies and nuts it contains. It is a creamy veggie curry dish perfect over rice or your favorite seasonal grain or naan. I was recently requested to share this more ayurveda veggie korma recipe version it in the winter, but as we are transitioning to kapha/spring season, please go sparingly with this in spring as it uses milk or heavy cream. This is a sweeter, heavier recipe of veggie korma for a treat. 

Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups chopped vegetables (cauliflower, green peas, carrots, green beans, yams, spinach)

• 1/2 cup chopped fried paneer, meat of choice, or tofu

• 3 tablespoons ghee/oil of choice

• Pinch of asafetida (hing)

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

• 1 seeded finely chopped green thai chili (or extra chopped ginger)

• ½ stick cinnamon

• ¼ tsp cardamom powder

• 2 tablespoon shredded ginger

• 1 tablespoon coriander powder

• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

• 2 bay leaves

• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon tamarind paste (or more to taste - it's not exactly the best combo with milk, but we gotta live a little ladies, and it sure beats that local restaurant's version that puts you to sleep for hours. lol =)

• 1.5 cups milk (or 1 cup cream and 1/2 cup milk for thicker creamier experience)

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (make sure it's organic non-GMO)

• Handful raisins

• Handful cashews (1/4 cup)

• Salt to taste

Directions:

• Mix the shredded ginger, green chili, coriander powder, turmeric, and mix with 2 tablespoons of water and set aside.

• mix milk with cornstarch and dissolve cornstarch in milk to make a slurry and set aside

• Heat the oil in a saucepan and add spices (hing to sugar, no tamarind paste) in order listed above until oil starts separating out

• Add the veges. Mix well, add 1/2 cup water and cover the pan. Let the vegetables cook on medium heat for about 7 to 8 minutes. The vegetables should be cooked just about half way.

• Add pre-fried paneer, cashews, salt, and raisins. Mix well. Add the milk/cornstarch mixture and cook until the vegetables are tender. Add more milk if needed for more gravy.

• Turn off the heat. Mix in the garam masala & tamarind paste to taste

• Adjust sugar salt as needed as well

• Garnish with few handfuls cilantro

Written by: Traci Webb director of the Ayurvedic Living School in Northern California.

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