Gobi Mutter White Kurma / Cauliflower Peas White Kurma

North Indian / South Indian Subzis/ Gravies 75 comments

”Cooking demands attention, patience and above all, a respect for the gifts of the earth. It is a form of worship, a way of giving thanks”.

– Judith B. Jones

Gobi Mutter White Kurma – a delectable and flavour-packed South Indian style cauliflower & peas kurma. The highlight of this kurma is the white base gravy that is procured from grinding a generous amount of fresh coconut, cashews and poppy seeds. The addition of coconut imparts a fresh aroma and distinct flavour that is soothing to the senses and to the palate. This white kurma pairs well with all Indian flat breads like chappathi / paratha , puffed breads like poori, South Indian pancakes like appam or string hoppers like Idiyappam.

This classic Kurma / Korma has its roots in Mughalai cuisine and dates back to the 16th Century. During the reign of Akbar, the Rajput cooks integrated and experimented many Hindustani and Persian methods of cooking styles to bring out the best of delicacies in the Royal Kitchen. While doing so, the Rajput chefs recreated the Turkish recipe of Kavurma with some fusion methods and this revised version of ‘kavurma‘ became one of the signature dish in the Royal Kitchen. It was then eventually called as Korma / kurma, named after the Rajput warrior tribe ‘Kurma’.

There are different versions of this Korma – South Indian and North Indian styles. The ingredients used for the masala paste very much defines the style, flavour and taste of this dish. The North Indian style is more yoghurt and cream based and the South Indian style is more spiced up and includes a generous amount of coconut.

There are different versions in South Indian Kurma – Regular or White based. For today’s recipe, I have not used any tomatoes or whole red chillies /chilli powder so as to retain the white base of the gravy.

Cooking Time: 20 to 30 minutes

Serving: 2

Ingredients:

Cauliflower florets1 medium size bowl
Peas (frozen or fresh)1/2 cup
Ginger 1 inch piece
Garlic3 cloves
Green chilli3 (adjust according to taste)
Onion1 medium size
Bay leaf1
Fennel seeds1/2 teaspoon
Cardamom pods (optional)2
Cinnamon stick1 inch stick
Oil2 to 3 tablespoon
Saltto taste
Coconut oil (for tempering) / (optional)1 teaspoon
Jeera / Cumin seeds (for tempering)1 teaspoon
Coriander leavesto garnish

For Masala Paste:

Coconut3 tablespoon
Cashews15 to 20
Fennel seeds1 teaspoon
Poppy seeds /kasakassa/khuskhus3/4 th teaspoon

Step by Step Instructions:

  • Wash the cauliflower florets and boil them in water along with 1/4th teaspoon of salt for about 3 to 4 minutes. Do not overcook the cauliflower florets. This step will get get rid of any tiny worms in the cauliflower if there are any. Drain the water and keep it aside.
  • For peas – You can take frozen or fresh peas. I have taken frozen peas and have thawed it.
  • Finely chop the onion and keep it aside.
  • Using a blender, grind 1 inch piece ginger, 3 garlic pods and 3 green chillies to a coarse paste without adding water.
  • For the Masala Paste – Soak the poppy seeds/khuskhus/kasakasa in 1 to 2 teaspoons of water for about 10 minutes. Using a blender, grind the coconut, cashews, fennel seeds and poppy seeds to a fine paste using little water.
  • Heat a pan and add 2 to 3 tablespoons of oil. When the oil is warm enough, add 1 bay leaf, 2 cardamom pods, 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds and 1 small cinnamon stick. Sauté the whole spices for less than a minute until it leaves a good aroma.
  • Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until it is transparent.
  • Add the ginger-garlic -green chilli paste and cook for a minute or so until the raw smell goes away.
  • Now add the cauliflower and peas. Stir the vegetables so that it absorbs the flavour of onion, ginger-garlic -green chilli paste. Add salt.
  • Add 1/2 cup water. Close the pan with the lid and allow the vegetables to cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • When the cauliflower florets and peas have become tender, add the ground masala paste. Mix well and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes for the raw flavours to go away. Add more water if needed. Cook until the gravy thickens.
  • For tempering – Take a pan, add 1 teaspoon coconut oil or any other oil, and add 1 teaspoon jeera/ cumin seeds. When the cumin seeds sizzle, add this tempering to the kurma.
  • Garnish the kurma with coriander leaves.
  • Serve this Gobi mutter white kurma with chappathi /paratha / poori / Appam.

Notes:

  • Variation – Instead of adding just cauliflower and peas, you can substitute with other vegetables like carrot, beans and potato.
  • Some recipes for white kurma demands the addition of roasted channa dhal / pottukadalai for the white masala paste. I personally do not like to add this , since it imparts a chutney kind of taste when combined with coconut. If you prefer to add roasted channa dhal, do add 1 to 11/2 teaspoon while grinding the masala paste.
  • Do not overcook after adding the white masala paste.

Check out my other side dishes / gravy varieties for flat breads / steamed rice:

75 comments

  10. Very nice dish kurmas are normally less spicy right must be a good one try for kids, cooking is really worship it took me years to be able to understand this , its takes a lot more than just ingredients and fire ,its a kind of devotion you spend time with in the process you grow .

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  17. Sowmya, you picked the perfect quote of patience for cooking. Really hats off to your patience n excellent cooking stuff you are sharing. You present it so well, delicious dishes n looks everything neat. I really love n appreciate the efforts 😇❤

    Liked by 4 people

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