Indian food typically means heavily spiced curries but there are some lovely subtle and mild versions that deserve a special place in our hearts and tummies. White Vegetable Kurma is a quick cooking family favorite for many years.
This a Gluten free and vegetarian recipe that uses cream but you can sub it with some cashew paste or coconut cream and make it Vegan. If you prep ahead the dish is ready in 20 minutes. You can serve it with some Rice or mildly spied Pulav or Rotis.
The ingredients you will need:
Cauliflower, Red pepper and Green Peas- The Veggies.
Onion – Needed to make the spice mixture
Ginger Garlic Paste – Zesty and warming addition
Milk – I used fat free but you can use 1% or 2 % fat milk. The White Kurma will first cook in the mixture of Milk and water. Please use Coconut Milk to make it Vegan.
Cream – I used Heavy cream at the end to add creaminess. You could use Coconut fat or Cashew paste instead to make it Vegan.
Garam Masala - Aromatic spice blend that brings warmth and depth. There are many many versions of this. I used a store bought Garam Masala.
Spices freshly ground – Cloves, Cinnamon and Cardamom to bring in additional depth of flavors
Green Chilies – To bring in the heat. To keep the white color of Kurma, we use Green Chilies instead of Red Chili powder.
Pineapple – To add the sweetness
Paneer (optional) – Add protein and works wonderfully with overall mildness of this curry.
Tips and Substitutions:
Use Coconut Milk instead of Milk and Cream if making it Vegan.
Use Canola oil or grapeseed oil instead of Ghee in the beginning of the recipe if making Vegan.
Use Green Chilies sparingly if you do not know how hot they are and also if making this for the kids.
Any brand Garam Masala can be used.
Step by step instruction:
Preparations:
Cut Onion roughly in pieces. Peel the Ginger if using whole. Cut Green Chilies in rough pieces if using
Add Onion Ginger, Garlic and Green Chilies in the blender and grind to make a paste. You may need to use about 2 Tbsp. of water.
Cut Cauliflower in medium size florets and cut Red Pepper in small pieces.
Peel the cardamom to release the seeds.
Using Mortar and Pestle or spice grinder grind Cloves, Cinnamon and Cardamom seeds.
Cooking:
In a medium sauce pan, heat Ghee or Butter and add Cumin Seeds. Keep the pan on medium heat.
Add the Onion paste with Ginger Garlic and Green Chilies and Sauté for 3 -4 minutes until it is soft. Stir frequently to avoid burning.
Add the ground spices and mix properly. Add Cauliflower and Sauté for two minutes while stirring occasionally.
Add Red pepper and Green peas and sauté for another minute.
Add Water and Milk and cover the Pot. Let the Kurma cook for about 5 minutes. Check after about 3 minutes to make sure there is enough water in the Pot and spices are not burning.
After 5 minutes, Add Garam masala, Pineapple, Cream and mix well. Cover and cook again for another 5 minutes or until the vegetables are cooked through.
Take off the heat and add Salt and Sugar and mix well.
Garnish with Coriander (Cilantro) leaves and Pineapple pieces.
Serve warm with some Pulav or Rotis.
Storing and Making ahead tips:
Preferably the Kurma should be eaten the day it is made.
If you wish to store, you can store it in an airtight container and it can stay in the fridge for two days.
Warm before serving.
If you enjoyed this recipe for White Vegetable Kurma then some delicious recipes to try next:
Tawa Paneer – A wonderful side dish made with Indian Cottage cheese
Chai tea Panna Cotta – Super easy Italian dessert with Indian chai spice twist.
If you make this recipe and love it, remember to stop back and give it a five star rating – it helps other people find it.
Indian White Kurma |White Korma
Equipment
- Blender
- Stove top
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Cauliflower
- ½ Cup Red pepper
- ½ Cup Green Peas
- ¾ Cup Onion
- 1 tsp. Ginger Garlic Paste
- ¼ Cup Milk I used fat free but you can use 1% or 2 % fat milk.
- ¼ Cup Cream
- ¾ tsp. Garam Masala
- 5 Cloves
- 1 inch Cinnamon
- 5 pods Cardamom
- ½ Green Chilies Use depending what variety you get. Some are very hot.
- ½ Cup Pineapple
- ¼ Cup Paneer optional
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan, heat Ghee or Butter and add Cumin Seeds. Keep the pan on medium heat.
- Add the Onion paste with Ginger Garlic and Green Chilies and Sauté for 3 -4 minutes until it is soft. Stir frequently to avoid burning.
- Add Cauliflower and Sauté for two minutes while stirring occasionally.
- Add Red pepper and Green peas and sauté for another minute.
- Add the ground spices and mix properly.
- Add Water and Milk and cover the Pot. Let the Kurma cook for about 5 minutes. Check after about 3 minutes to make sure there is enough water in the Pot and spices are not burning.
- After 5 minutes, Add Garam masala, Pineapple, Cream and mix well. Cover and cook again for another 5 minutes or until the vegetables are cooked through.
- Take off the heat and add Salt and Sugar and mix well.
- Garnish with Coriander (Cilantro) leaves and Pineapple pieces.
- Serve warm with some Pulav or Rotis.
Gloria
This sounds so delicious. Love the addition of paneer in this recipe. I would have never thought to use pineapple, what a great idea.
Vegetarian Republic
Thank you Gloria. Do let me know how this turns out for you.
Liz
I have never had this recipe before, but it sounds delicious! Love that it has a cream base - always so delicious! Will have to try this soon!
Vegetarian Republic
Thank you Liz. Do let me know how this turns out. I love to hear from my readers always.
Bernice
What an interesting curry....I've had a white curry in a local restaurant and I'm wondering if this is from the same region? The world of curries is so diverse and I just want to eat them all!
Marta
I've never tasted or made kurma before, but I found this recipe and had all of the ingredients. I'm SO glad I made it. I can't believe the beautiful flavors in this dish!
Vegetarian Republic
Thank you Marta. I hope you make this your go to recipe because it is really so easy to make.
Kayla DiMaggio
I can't believe how easy this was to make! It was so easy and delicious!
Vegetarian Republic
Thank you Kayla. So happy you liked it.
Kathryn
This is such a great vegetarian recipe! Loved all the flavors and it was so easy!
Vegetarian Republic
Thank you Kathryn. I am so happy you liked it.
Lauren Michael Harris
I've never tried a vegetable korma before, but the ingredients all sound so good! I'm a huge fan of anything with cauliflower or paneer - love that this uses both!
Veronika Sykorova
This looks and sounds amazing! I like that you make your own spice with the pureed onion, I never even thought of that. I'm definitely making this over the weekend, can't wait!
Ramona
I've been needing to try a new recipe and this couldn't be more perfect! This looks super delicious and very interesting and I can't wait to give it a go. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Vegetarian Republic
Thanks Ramona. Please come back and let me know how this turned out for you. I always love to hear feedback from the readers.
Heidy
This recipe was extremely exceptional! I loved all the flavors and textures. I can't wait to make it again. It was so good! I am looking forward to checking out some of your other recipes on your blog! Have a great day, and thanks for sharing this fantastic recipe!
Vegetarian Republic
Thank you Heidi for your kind review. I can't wait to hear how the recipes turned out for you.