Cauliflower, Cashew, Pea and Coconut Curry

Cauliflower, Cashew, Pea and Coconut Curry
David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
45 minutes
Rating
5(6,262)
Notes
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While this curry from Meera Sodha’s cookbook “Made in India” is rooted in tradition and complexly flavored, it’s also easy enough for a weeknight. She transforms cauliflower from a humble vegetable to a rich centerpiece with the addition of cashews, coconut, fresh ginger and a flurry of spices you’re likely to have in your pantry. Serve with rice for an exceptionally good vegan supper. —Jennifer Steinhauer

Featured in: What to Do With All the Spices That Have Piled Up in Your Kitchen

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 1(1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
  • 4garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1green chile, roughly chopped (seeded if you prefer less heat)
  • Kosher salt
  • 4tablespoons canola oil
  • 2large onions, finely chopped
  • 1tablespoon tomato paste
  • teaspoons ground coriander
  • teaspoons ground cumin
  • ½teaspoon chile powder
  • 1large head cauliflower (about 1¼ pounds), broken into bite-size florets
  • 1(14-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk
  • 4ounces unsalted cashews (about ¾ cup)
  • ½cup frozen peas
  • ½teaspoon garam masala
  • 1small bunch cilantro, leaves chopped, for serving
  • 1lemon wedge, for serving
  • Cooked basmati rice, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

631 calories; 48 grams fat; 22 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 16 grams monounsaturated fat; 6 grams polyunsaturated fat; 46 grams carbohydrates; 7 grams dietary fiber; 10 grams sugars; 14 grams protein; 1061 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place the ginger, garlic and green chile in a mortar and pestle with a pinch of salt. Mash until a paste forms and set aside. Alternately, finely chop the ginger, garlic and green chile together, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, then mash into a coarse paste using the flat portion of your chef’s knife.

  2. Step 2

    In a large skillet with a lid, heat 3 tablespoons oil over medium. Cook the onions until golden, about 10 minutes. Add the ginger paste and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Stir in the tomato paste, coriander, cumin, chile powder and 1¼ teaspoons salt. Stir in the cauliflower and coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook until the cauliflower is tender, 10 to 12 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a small skillet over medium. Fry the cashews, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.

  5. Step 5

    Add the peas and garam masala to the cauliflower mixture and cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt.

  6. Step 6

    Top the curry with the cashews, cilantro and a squeeze of lemon just before serving. Serve with a big steaming bowl of basmati rice.

Ratings

5 out of 5
6,262 user ratings
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Cooking Notes

Does "green chile" refer to a specific pepper?

Took an idea from the Spiced Chickpea Stew recipe and added a drained can of chickpeas and 1/2 tsp of turmeric after adding the spices in Step 3 but before adding the tomato paste. Cooked for about ten minutes and then continued this recipe. I used 2 cans of light coconut milk and the dish was thickened by the breakdown of some of the chickpeas. This added some more protein. Delicious with basmati rice.

Our whole family loved it. For weeknight ease, do Step 1 in a mini food processor - make double to freeze for future Indian dishes. Toast the cashews in the oven in a single layer for 10 mins @ 350 for less fat & more flavor. I subbed ghee for all of the canola oil for more depth of flavor. And I marinated 1 c. of cubed tofu in 1 tbsp of ghee 1 tbsp turmeric 1 tsp of salt, sautéed til golden & slightly crispy & added last - I have a family of protein fanatics & it was a delicious addition.

Rather than plain milk which will not have the same richness or texture , try evaporated milk .Whether low fat or full, the texture is excellent for sauces and I have been subbing it for years in butter chicken , pasta sauces and anywhere cream or coconut milk may be suggested.

Made this tonight, the only change being to omit cumin (for some reason, I can longer tolerate it) and used cardamom instead. I doubled/tripled the amount of spices, due to some people's comments that they found it bland and knowing I prefer heavily-spiced food. The result: the most delicious curry I've ever had! I made no other changes, served over a bed of basmati rice, used the cashews, a nice squeeze of lemon, and chopped cilantro. Absolutely fantastic!

At 47 grams of fat per serving (22 grams saturated), this was delicious, but a little too scary-rich for me. I cooked the onions in 2 tablespoons of oil, not 3, and roasted the cashews in the oven, thereby cutting out half of the oil. I also doubled the peas, and that seemed like the perfect amount. Next time, I will try reduced-fat coconut milk and see if that works. It probably won’t taste quite as good, but it will certainly be more healthful.

Green chili usually refers to a fresh hot green chili. Serrano or Thai bird’s eye are good subs easily found. The chili powder called for is typically ground hot red chili. Cayenne is an easily found sub. You can also find Indian red chili powder at an Indian grocery store or online. There are several types.

I followed this wonderful recipe exactly and achieved a wonderful though slightly bland for me meal. It lasted me for three days and I gave a quarter of it away. However, I cannot conceive how this could be made in 45 minutes. It took me 30 minutes to clean the garlic, mash the coriander and cumin seeds, and prepare the paste. The 13.5 oz can of light coconut milk provided plenty of liquid and the times for cooking the cauliflower do not reduce the liquid much. I will probably spice more next.

I agree with Kalahun - this is not a 45-minute recipe unless you’re a speed chopper and fast with a mortar and pestle. It took me 1 hour & 20 minutes from start to finish, but well worth it. I followed another cook’s advice and upped the spices (2 tsp each coriander and cumin, 1 tsp chili powder), and it was not too spicy. Used full-fat coconut milk (current and reliable research tells us not to worry about fat!). It was really yummy. My 14-year-old son asked for seconds! Served with wild rice.

Easy to make and really delicious. I made it exactly like the recipe—no shortcuts, no substitutions.

Roasted the cauli and added some squash with olive oil, salt, cumin and chili flakes for 40 minutes before adding to the mix. Added lemongrass to the paste (out of ginger). Doubled the spices. Melted coconut oil and added some tamarind paste then smeared the cashews in that and roasted them in the oven for 25 min. Added fresh lime over everything and served with giant couscous. Incredibly filling and tasty. My husband gave it 10/10! A yummy treat on a cold day in London.

I smiled when I saw all the changes in your adaptation. But really, a good basic recipe is infinitely adaptable. Yours sounds delicious, too.

Made this with what was available in the pantry and freezer, substituting frozen stir-fry vegetables for the cauliflower, no chili or cashews, but used full fat coconut milk, all the spices, ginger, garlic, onion, and a frozen tbsp of tomato paste, all cooked in avo oil. Served it over cauliflower "rice" (also in the freezer). It was delicious. Had leftover poached chicken breast available for those who wanted a bit more protein. Will be in regular rotation at our house

Added some raisins. Sweetness was a nice counterpoint.

I found this a little bland. I would increase the spices and the salt. The hit of lemon juice at the end helps. Also, I did the minimum cooking times (10 min. + less than 5) for the cauliflower and it was on the verge of mushy.

Made as directed and added sautéed tempeh and it was delicious! Next time, we will try subbing roasted chickpeas for the cashews. This was so good and could easily have components prepped in advance and thrown together quickly when needed, and could easily swap out other veggies.

The sauce is a bit too rich. Add extra lime juice. Maybe experiment with adding rice vinegar or lime zest once it’s off the stovetop. Reduce initial glaze by half. More spice.

Forgot to add to previous post….I use frozen chopped garlic and ginger. Always have on hand and saves loads of time.

Fabulous. Took advice from others to toast cashews (toaster oven) with no additional oil. Upped the spices by about a 1/2 teaspoon each… because I was lazy & instead of leveling the teaspoons, I used mounded scoops. Used a jalapeño pepper—it was mild enough for a 2 year old to devour. Four adults and the aforementioned toddler ate every single morsel. A forgiving winning recipe!

So glad I read the comments and doubled the spices on the first try. Delicious with that major adjustment.

I make this dish often. Usually at the request of my kids. It makes me feel good about what they eat and it’s easy and takes me less than the 45mins listed. Dinner in one bowl.

This is so good. Fun to cook. Very creamy, comfort food.

Excellent dish! I used a jalapeño pepper as that's all I had available but it was fine. Also used regular curry and a little more cumin and cardamom as I didn't have garam masala. Still very good. I served over rice and it was delicious. I'd make it again for sure and like the idea of substituting or adding chickpeas too!

Meh, just fine - as another commenter noted this is swimming in fat. Cashews can be pan roasted, and onions take half the oil. I nearly cut 1/4 of the coconut milk and wish I had - the end result was indeed rather soupy and didn’t feel the coconut flavor even really came through. The cook time too long for the cauliflower, which fell apart - there are better ways to make a curry, or to take full advantage of the luscious coconut flavor!

I make this fortnightly and what a treat! I add tofu to it though and an extra can of coconut milk (83%) and it's so good.

Double spices

Used ghee. Added chickpeas

Really amazing recipe. Freezes well, if you like to make meals ahead.

Based on several reviews, made the following changes: Doubled spices. Used Serrano chili. Baked cauliflower in 400 degree oven for 20 mins then stirred into sauce with peas Added big handful of spinach with about 1/4 cup stock and cooked until spinach wilted. Result: completely delicious. Great dinner.

Delicious dish. Very easy to make.

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Credits

Adapted from “Made in India: Recipes from an Indian Family Kitchen” by Meera Sodha (Flatiron Books, 2015)

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