Spicy Cauliflower with Braised Tomato
GOBHI TAMATAR SABJI
-Recipe from Yamuna mataji
Snowy cauliflower and ripe tomatoes marry their colors and flavors over
gentle heat until the cauliflower is butter-soft and the tomatoes are
reduced to a seasoned glaze. The only liquid is the juice from the
tomatoes, so the dish must be braised slowly. The result is a
dry-textured, succulent everyday dish that can be featured on any lunch
or dinner menu.
Preparation time (after assembling, ingredients): 10 minutes
Cooking time: 25 – 30 minutes
Serves: 4or 5
3-4 table spoons (45-60 ml) ghee or vegetable oil
1-inch (2.5 cm) piece of fresh ginger root,
Scraped and cut into thin julienne
1-2 green jalapeno chilies, cored, seeded and silvered
˝ teaspoon (2 ml) black mustard seeds
1 teaspoon (5 ml) cumin seeds
1 large cauliflower (about 3 pounds/1.5 kg), trimmed, cored and cut into flowerets 2*1* ˝ inches (5 * 2.5 * 1.5 cm)
1 table spoon (15 ml) ground coriander
˝ teaspoon (2 ml) turmeric
1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt
3 medium-sized tomatoes, each peeled and cut into eights (about 1 pound/455 g)
1 teaspoon (5 ml) garam masala
3 table spoons (45 ml) coarsely chopped fresh coriander or minced parsley butter (optional)
1.
Heat the ghee or oil in a large nonstick casserole or sauté pan
over moderate to moderately high heat. When it is hot but not smoking,
drop in the ginger, chilies, mustard and cumin seeds. Fry until the
mustard seeds pop and turn gray and the cumin seeds turn brown. Stir in
the cauliflower, ground coriander, turmeric and salt. Stir-fry until
the flowerettes are slightly browned, then stir in the tomatoes. Cover
and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15 -20 minutes, shaking the pan
occasionally to keep the vegetables from sticking, or until the
cauliflower stalks are just tender.
2. Uncover,
raise the heat and stir-fry to evaporate all the liquid. Just before
serving, sprinkle with the garam masala, fresh herb, and add a knob of
butter, if desired