This is a curry using “curry powder” and it is what I would call a “Western curry”. This is a creamy and very satisfying curry to serve on a cold wet night. For the curry, you can choose any vegetables you have but I chose red pepper, orange kumara (sweet potato) and cauliflower stalks. I feel cauliflower rice really compliments the creamy texture but you can serve up with rice too.
Cauliflower rice is really easy to make – yes you can buy the frozen stuff but feel it is lacking flavour. I normally use a box grater and finely grate the cauliflower (medium sized about 800g). Sprinkle a couple of teaspoons of water and add a few pinches salt. Cover and cook in the microwave for 3 minutes on high. Toss and return to microwave for a further two to three minutes. Rest for a minute and strain off any excess liquid.
INGREDIENTS
Lentils – 150g, rinsed and soaked in water for 30 minutes
Onions – 200g, finely diced
Red chillies – 1-2, finely chopped (optional)
Curry powder – 4 teaspoons
Cumin seeds – 1 teaspoon
Garlic – 3-4 cloves, finely chopped
Ghee – 6 tablespoons divided
Orange Kumara – 700g, peeled and cubed into 1 centimetre pieces
Cauliflower stalks – 250g, peeled and sliced
Peas- 1 heaped cup
Red pepper – 1, cored and chopped
Pumpkin soup – 1 store bought tin weighing 535g
Paneer – 300g, cubed into 2centimetre pieces and soaked in warm water for 30 minutes
Cashew nuts – 100g, roasted
Coriander leaves – a handful, chopped fine
Evaporated Milk – 100ml (can substitute with coconut cream)
Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon or to taste
Salt to taste
METHOD
Heat 3 tablespoons of ghee in a saucepan. Fry the onions on medium heat for ten minutes. Add the lentils, curry powder and chilli if using. Fry for a minute and add 600ml water and a half teaspoon of salt. Cook gently and if mixture is too thick, add another 100mls of water.
Rinse the starch off the kumara by washing the peeled, cut pieces under cold water. Microwave for 3-4 minutes. Microwave the cauliflower stalks as well for 2 -3 minutes.
In a large fry pan, heat the remaining ghee. Add the cumin seeds and once they crackle, add the microwaved kumara and cauliflower stalks.
Cook for a few minutes, then add the red pepper, followed by the cooked lentils and soup. Mix well and allow the curry to come up to a simmer.
Add the paneer pieces along with peas. Once they are heated through taste to adjust salt.
Stir in the evaporated milk.
Just before serving, squeeze the lemon juice, top with cashew nuts and coriander leaves and serve over the cauliflower rice.