13 June 2012

Navratan Kurma / Nine Gems Vegetable in Rich Sauce

This is a famous Mughlai dish and gets its name from the word 'Navratan' (which means nine gems in hindi) ie the nine vegetables that go into making this gravy with rich nutty sauce. I have tasted different versions of this royal curry at restaurants but never liked it as I hated to bite into sweet fruits in my dish. But this version is perfect for my palette. The raisins are ground into a paste and love that nutty flavour from the cashews.



INGREDIENTS
Recipe adapted from here

Ingredient List 1:
Cauliflower - 1/2 cup (small florets)
Frozen green peas - 1/4 cup(1/2 " length)
Beans - 1/4 cup (1/2 " length)
Yard long beans - 1/4 cup(1/2 " length)
Bottle gourd squash - 1/4 cup(1/2 " cubes)
Potato - 1 small (1/2 " cubes)
Carrot - 1 small (1/2 " cubes)
Capsicum - 1 small (1/2 " length, seeded)
Water - to cover the vegetables (approx 2 1/2 cup)

Ingredient List 2:
Onion - 1 medium size
Ginger paste- 1 tsp
Garlic paste - 1 tsp
Cloves - 4
Cardomom - 4
Bay leaves - 1
Cashews - 1/4 cup
Golden raisins - 1/4 cup
Oil / ghee - 2 tbsp
Salt - as required

Ingredient List 3:
Tomato paste - 1 tbsp
Kashmiri chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder -1/4 tsp
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp

Ingredient List 4:
Paneer - 100gms
Ghee / oil - 1 1/2 tbsp

Coriander leaves- 2 tbsp



METHOD
Combine the ingredients in list 1 and boil over medium high heat. When it starts to boil reduce flame to medium low and cook uncovered for 8 minutes.
Reserve 2 cups water from this and transfer the vegetables to a colander.
Heat oil or ghee in a skillet. Add the ingredients under list 2 and saute it on medium low heat.. Cook until the nuts have browned and raisins swelled approx 10 minutes.
Pour in half cup water into the skillet and scrape out any masala sticking to the bottom of the skillet.
Blend this in a blender after adding the ingredients in list 3.
In a skillet transfer the sauce. Use 1/2 cup of  water reserved to remove all the masala sticking to the sides of the jar and transfer it to the skillet.
Add in the vegetables. Pour the remaining water. Mix well. Check salt.
In a separate pan heat the ghee and fry the paneer till golden brown on all sides.
Transfer the paneer to the veggies and simmer the curry on medium heat for approx 8 - 10 minutes stirring in between.
Sprinkle the coriander and serve with rotis.

16 comments:

  1. I love the creamy texture of the korma. Looks really delicious!

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  2. I was a big fan of navratan kurma but my taste palates have changed ever since.I am not too fond of raisins and pineapple in my curry:)But your version has neither,so got to try this out!

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  3. Wat a super tempting and inviting kurma,seriously can have it anytime.

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  4. that looks amazing. love the spices in the gravy.

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  5. perfectly done and tempting navratan kurma..loved the english name:)

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  6. 'Gem' of a kurma!!! Looks too yumm!!!
    Prathima Rao
    Prats Corner

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  7. yummm yumm s all i have to say

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  8. I too never liked the sweet bites in the navratna Kurma... I guess I'll like this version....

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  9. The kurma looks so yummy!!!Great presentation and photography as well :)

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  10. Wow..that's an creamy curry....one of my favorites....

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