Vegetable Shahi Kurma(Veg shahi korma)

The  'Vegetable Shahi Korma' is an South Asian dish,which is famous in almost every part of south India. In the name 'Korma/kurma' indicates 'vegetables or meat which is cooked in Yoghurt/curd' and 'shahi' indicates 'Royal' which means rich gravy made from Cashew nuts,coconut,tomato etc., Thus,totally indicating that its a special festive recipe in which boiled vegetables are cooked in curd and rich gravy made in combination with cashews,coconut and tomato. All these three have many health benefits.Some benefits have been mentioned here.

Nutritional Benefits of Tomatoes : These contain  low fat and zero cholesterol. These contain lots of vitamins,minerals,dietary fiber and especially these contain 'Lycopene' which is a flavonoid  antioxidant which acts as an anticancer agent, by eliminating the free radicals (which are the main reason for causing cancer) in the body. These also contain high amounts of Vitamin A and C which helps in protecting our eyes and skin from damage. These also contain trace amounts of Iron,folate/folic acid,potassium,calcium, thiamin, niacin , riboflavin,manganese etc.,

Health  Benefits of Cashew nuts :They contain less fat compared to other nuts.They helps in lowering blood pressure.It helps in getting black hair as it contain copper in it.They contain high amount of soluble dietary fiber.They also contain phytochemicals which helps in prevention of cancer.They are also rich in Vitamin B1(thiamin), B2 (riboflavin),B5(pantothenic acid),B6 pyridoxine, which are required for metabolism of proteins,fats and carbohydrates.

Health Benefits of Coconut : Coconut tree is said to be 'kalpa vriksha' which means' the tree which supplies everything that is needed to life'. Coconut contains essential fatty acids which  helps in stabilizing the blood sugar,it also helps in lowering cholesterol,helps in improving digestion, fights infections due to its strong antioxidant activities. It also regulates hormones and also increases metabolism.

Preparation time : 20 mins

Cooking time : 20-30 mins

Yield : 2

Ingredients :

Boiled Vegetable pieces : 1 cup (carrots,beans,potatoes)

Mustard seeds/sasive/avallu : 1 tsp

Cumin seeds/jeerige/jeera : 1 tsp

Slitted Green chilies/menasinakayi/pachi mirchi : 5-6

Curry leaves/karivebina soppu/karivepaku : a fistful

Red chilies/ona menasina kayi /endu mirchi  : 2-3

Turmeric powder/arishana pudi/pasupu : 1/4 tsp

Salt : as per required

Red chili powder/ona menasina kayi pudi/karam : 1 tbsp

Curd : 1 cup

Oil : 1 tbsp

Coriander leaves/kothumbari soppu/kothmir : fistful

Ingredients for  preparing Curry 'Paste' :

Cashew nuts : 1/2 cup (7-9)

Grated Dry/fresh Coconut : 1/2 cup

Tomato pieces : 1 cup

Method of Preparation :

1. Make a smooth paste by grinding tomatoes,cashew nuts, grated coconut and little water, keep aside.


2. Heat oil in a kadai and add mustard seeds,once they splutter add cumin seeds,saute for 30 secs and then add slitted green chilies, red chilies,curry leaves,saute for 30-60 more secs,then add boiled vegetables pieces like carrots,beans,potatoes,mix well and cook for 2 mins.


3. Add salt,red chili powder,turmeric powder,cook for 1 minute.


4. Now add the curry paste which we prepared earlier,little water and cook for 5 mins.Then add curd,cook for 5 more mins.


5. Finally add Coriander leaves and dish.This tasty rich delicious curry goes well with roti,naan,rice. Also try out Paneer Butter masala,Phool makani gravy curry

[caption id="attachment_337" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Vegetable Shahi Korma[/caption]

Note : Can add any vegetables of your choice.