Cauliflower with Ginger and Cumin

Adraki Gobhi

I recently made this dish for some friends. They loved it so much I sent some home with them. The recipe was inspired by “My Indian Kitchen” by Hari Nyak.

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 2 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 large onion (about 1/2 lb/250 g), minced
• 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh Ginger (It should be a paste texture.)
• 1 tablespoon garlic paste (I used a garlic press.)
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon chipotle pepper powder
• 2 teaspoons Garam Masala
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 2 small Roma tomatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup (250 ml) water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large head cauliflower (about 2 lbs/1 kg), cut into florets (stem discarded or reserved for other use)
• One 2-in (5-cm) piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into thin strips
• 4 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro leaves

Tools:

Large pot with lid, large spoon for stirring, cutting board, knife, measuring spoons and cups

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. When oil shimmers, add the cumin and fennel seeds.
2. Cook, stirring until the seeds begins to brown, about 30 seconds.
3. Add the onion to the oil, cook stirring for about 1 minute until slightly wilted.
4. Add the grated ginger and garlic paste, turmeric, chipotle pepper, coriander, Garam Masala, 1/2 cup (125 ml) of the water, the tomatoes and salt to the onions in the pot.
5. Sauté for another minute to cook the ginger and garlic.
6. Add the cauliflower to the pot, cook, stirring, until it coated with the spice mixture in the pot, about 1 minute.
7. Add the remaining 1/2 cup (125 ml) of water to the pot. Put the lid on the pot and cook until the cauliflower is tender, about 10 minutes.
8. Stir in the sliced ginger strips and coriander leaves and cook until the masala is dry, about 1 minute. Serve hot.

Notes:

You can use canned whole tomatoes for the tomatoes in the recipe. If you have fresh tomatoes, using a knife, cut an X on the bottom of the tomato. Boil water in a pot and drop the tomatoes into the boiling water for a minute. Drain the water and let the tomatoes cool. You should be able to peel them from the X on the bottom.

If you like spicy foods, you can add more chipotle pepper powder.