Cauliflower in an ‘Applied’ Coconut-Tomato Curry

Hello All!

This is one of my favorite curries, made using Cauliflower in one of the traditional Maharashtrian ways. It was very frequently made in my Nani's kitchen and I learnt this one from her.

The curry has a nice flavor which is a combination of Cauliflower blended in fresh coconut and fresh garlic, is also lightly sour in taste, which comes in from the tomatoes.

In most of the curries in which the masala is ground, it is first fried and sautéed in oil to remove the rawness and then the veggies are added. This method is particularly suitable for onion based gravies as the onion has a strong, raw smell, which needs to be removed by thorough cooking.

However, there are gravies which use ingredients which have a mild flavor and when they get overcooked they lose their aroma and intensity. For such ingredients the masala gets added at the end. In Marathi it's called 'lavane' or the Masala ‘getting applied’ to the cooked veggies. 

This particular curry makes use of this method and the resultant curry has all the freshness and subtle flavours from the ingredients added at the end.

Ingredients

I cauliflower cut into flowerets
2 potatoes cubed
1/2 –3/4 coconut grated (depends on the size)
2 tomatoes chopped
5-6 garlic pods
3 green chilies
3-4 tsp chopped coriander
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
3 tsp coriander pwd
1 tsp goda masala
1 tsp turmeric pwd
1 1/2 tsp red chili pwd
1/4 tsp asafetida
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
salt to taste
oil to cook

Method

Grind together the coconut, garlic, tomatoes, coriander and cumin to form the ‘masala’ for the curry.

Heat oil, add the mustard, once it splutters add the asafoetida and turmeric. Immediately put in the cauliflower and potatoes and mix in properly. Cover and cook till half done.

 

Put red chili, coriander, salt  and mix properly. Now apply the ground masala and mix properly. Adjust the consistency by adding water and bring the curry to a boil. Add goda masala, mix and cook covered on low flame till done.

Serve hot with poori/ rice/ roti.