Cauliflower And Peas Bhaji/Sabji With Low Spices-Free From Onion, Garlic And Tomato
Phool Gobhi aur Matar ki Sabji
Shailini Priyadarshini
Cauliflower and peas are both winter vegetables in India and are often cooked together. This is a simple, easy, low spice and low fat dish, suitable for young children too. Contrary to popular belief, all Indian dishes are not chilli hot. Many are very subtly spiced and gently flavoured. If you are not able to stock a lot of Indian spices, use curry powder in place of coriander, chilli, black pepper, but since curry powder has other spices like turmeric, it will be yellow and hot. It will not be as gentle as the original, but will be okay.
The first picture is with curry powder and the second one with the spices below.
Serves 4-6
Edited April 2015
Ingredients
1 small fresh cauliflower* or cabbage, cut into small pieces, washed and drained
2 cups small/petite green peas, fresh or frozen. Do not use overripe ones.
2 tbsp. grated ginger
2 tsp. oil
A pinch of asafoetida (optional)
1 tsp. cumin/jeera seeds
Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
1/4 tsp. chilli powder or 2 green chillies finely chopped (omit is making for young children)
1/2 cup chopped fresh coriander leaves/cilantro/hara dhania
*Tender, inside leaves of cauliflower can also be chopped and added, along with the florets
Instructions
Heat oil in a Karahi or wok or a non-stick pan.
Add cumin seeds and hing and cook until cumin splutter or turn brown.
Add the cauliflower and peas and stir.
Add ginger, salt and pepper. Mix. (Do not add ginger in the beginning as it sticks to the pan and burns when stirred. Remember we do not have too much oil in this recipe. Ginger should be added after other ingredients have been stirred once. Do not stir immediately after adding ginger).
Reduce heat, cover with a tight lid so the moisture stays inside. Cook until vegetables are done. If it is fresh, cauliflower will cook very quickly. Don't overcook as this will spoil the taste. Do not evaporate the moisture at the end of cooking as this really changes the taste too.
Add fresh coriander/dhania, mix and serve hot with Chapatti or Plain Paratha.
Notes
Top picture; made with curry powder
