Soya Chunk Curry and Variations
Soya Curry and Variations
Mamta Gupta
For vegetarians, any meat or chicken recipe can be cooked using Soya chunks or Soya mince instead of meat. This is a good option for not only vegetarians, but also for meat eaters who want to cut down on the amount of their meat intake. It can be bought from any Indian grocers very cheaply. Remember that Soya mince is tasteless and needs to be spiced up well to make it delicious. Also, it is fatless, so need a little extra oil than meat.
Serves 4
Ingredients
100 gm. Soya chunks/nuggets
1 large or 2 small, 200-225 gm. onions, peeled and roughly chopped
1/2 inch piece of ginger, peeled
2-3 cloves of garlic peeled
250 gm. tin of chopped tomatoes or 2-3 medium sized fresh tomatoes adjust to taste)
3 tbsp. cooking oil
Whole Spices
1/2 tsp. black cumin seeds (Shahi or Kala Jeera)
1 bay leaf*
1-2 pieces of cinnamon stick*
2 large cardamoms*
3-4 small green cardamoms*
4 cloves*
5-6 black peppers*
*If you do not have these whole spices, use 1 1/2 tsp. Garam Masala instead.
Ground spices:
1 tsp. turmeric
2 tsp. coriander powder
1 tsp.
paprika powder for colour (optional)
1/2 tsp. chilli powder or to taste
Salt to taste
Garnish:
A handful of fresh coriander leaves
1/2 tsp. Garam Masala
Instructions
Soak soya chunks in boiling hot water for 30 minutes or so. Transfer to a sieve and rinse in running water. Allow to drain.
Grind onions, ginger and garlic in a food processor.
If using fresh tomatoes, chop into small pieces or purée.
Heat oil.
Add cumin seeds and whole spices *, wait until cumin seeds splutter, but not burn.
Add onions, garlic and ginger mix and fry until light brown. Ginger often sticks to the pan, so keep stirring or use a non-stick pan.
Add all other spices and stir for a few seconds to allow flavours to come out.
Add tomatoes and cook stirring frequently, until oil separates.
Add Soya chunks and cook on high flame, stirring frequently until it is well coated.
Add 1 cup water and bring to boil.
Cover and simmer on medium heat for approximately 20 minutes.
Add water only if a thinner gravy is required.
Turn off heat .
Sprinkle garam masala and half of coriander leaves & stir. Cover and leave.
Sprinkle rest of the coriander leaves as garnish, before serving.
Serve with Plain Pulao Rice, Chapatties or Tandoori Roti 1.
Notes
Remember, any meat or chicken recipe can be used for cooking Soya products.
Variations:
For a more exotic taste, add cream or sour cream or thick yoghurt or red wine towards the end and mix thoroughly.
Add one bunch of fresh or 2 tbsp. of dry fenugreek leaves during cooking. Fresh leaves have to be de-stalked, washed and chopped roughly.
Add a cup full of chopped or tinned spinach.
Add potato pieces during cooking.
