cashew vegetable korma

from here

Notes: Tamarind concentrate is available in Indian markets or at Whole Foods kinda stores. If you don’t have it/can’t find it/don’t care, then just use lime for some tartness. I’d try juice from 2 and go from there.

For the cream:

2 cups raw cashew pieces (plus water for soaking)

2 cups vegetable broth

Veggies to boil:

2.5 pounds yukon gold potatoes (1 1/2 inch chunks)

2 lbs cauliflower in large florettes (don’t cut em too small or they will fall apart)

2 lbs carrots, sliced on a bias 1/2 inch thick

Puree:

2 medium sized yellow onions

2 inch nub of ginger

8 cloves garlic

Everything else:

3 tablespoons peanut oil

1 tablespoon coriander, crushed

2 teaspoons red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon curry powder

2 teaspoons garam masala

Fresh black pepper

2 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon tamarind concentrate (see note)

2 tablespoons tomato paste

4 cups vegetable broth

1 can coconut milk

2 cups frozen peas

1 large caramelized red onion

Chopped cilantro for garnish (optional)

First, soak the cashews. This will get them really soft and make them easier to blend really smooth. Place them in a bowl and submerge in water. Set aside for at least an hour. In the meantime prep everything.

Boil the veggies. Place them in a big ass pot (8 quart is ideal), and cover them in cold water. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower heat to a simmer (so you don’t overcook the veggies), for about 15 minutes. Potatoes should be fork tender. Drain and set aside.

Next, puree the onion, ginger and garlic. It shouldn’t be completely smooth, some texture is good. No need to wash the processor bowl just yet, you’re going to puree the cashews in a bit.

Preheat another big pot over medium heat. Cook the puree in the peanut oil with a sprinkle of salt for about 15 to 20 minutes, until it’s nice and browned.

This is a good time to puree the cashews. Drain them and place them in the food processor along with 2 cups vegetable broth. Puree until smooth. This can take up to 5 minutes to get it as smooth as possible.

Back to the puree. Once it’s browned, add the coriander seed and the red pepper flakes and saute for about 3 minutes. Add curry powder, garam masala, several dashes fresh black pepper and salt and saute for another minute.

Add tamarind, tomato paste and vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Now add the coconut milk and the cashew cream. Let cook uncovered for about 15 minutes, it should thicken a little and be really creamy.

In the meantime, saute the red onion in a little peanut oil in a separate pan with a pinch of salt for about 15 minutes, it should be browned and slightly caramelized. This adds a really nice sweetness and some added texture to the finished dish.

You’re pretty much done. You can shut the heat off then mix in the peas. Now fold in the boiled veggies, put the lid on the pot and let it heat through. Taste for salt and seasoning and serve garnished with cilantro if you like.

aloo gobi

from AllRecipes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 3 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and
• cubed
• 1 medium head cauliflower, chopped into
• bite size pieces
• 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans,
• drained
• 2 tablespoons garam masala

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oil in a large pot on medium-high heat and add onion. Cook until softened, about 4 minutes, then stir in garlic and cumin. Continue to cook until onion begins to brown.

2. Stir in tomatoes and coconut and the coriander, salt, turmeric, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. Stir until mixture begins to boil, then put in the potatoes, cauliflower, and garbanzo beans. Blend well. Reduce heat to low and cover.

3. Simmer until the potatoes are tender, 45 minutes to an hour (this will depend on the size of the potato chunks). Sprinkle in the garam masala, stir, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Note: We didn't use the cayenne pepper, but it still had a kick to it. Also used ground cumin rather than cumin seeds.

sweet and sour balti chicken

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tbsp tomato puree
• 2 tbsp Greek yogurt (US strained plain)
• 1 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp crushed garlic
• 2 tbsp mango chutney
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
• 4 tbsp oil (they specify corn, we used extra virgin olive)
• 1 1/2 lb skinless, boneless chicken, cubed
• 1/4 pint or 2/3 cup water
• 2 fresh green chillies, chopped
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)
• 2 tbsp single (light) cream

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix tomato puree, yogurt, garam masala, chilli powder, garlic, mango chutney, salt, and sugar ina medium mixing bowl. Stir well.
2. Heat the oil in a karahi, wok, or deep pan. Lower the heat slightly and pour in the spice mixture. Bring to the boil and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the chicken pieces and stir until they are well coated.
4. Stir in the water to thin the sauce slightly. Continue cooking for 5–7 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
5. Add the fresh cillies, coriander and cream, cook for a further 2 minutes over a low heat.

mango chutney

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 6 cups mangoes
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 1/4 cup crystalized ginger, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine sugar, vinegar in pot, bring to a boil, stirring til sugar dissolves.
2. Add remaining ingredients and simmer, uncovered, until syrupy and slightly thickened, 45 min–1 hour. Stir occasionally.

makes 6 (1/2) pint jars