Banaras , being a historical city and India’s oldest and a holy city for Hindus and Jains is also know for its silk. No wedding trousseau is complete without a Banarasi Saree in Northern India. The Silk business is dominated by the Marwaris who are strict vegetarians who have normally a Maharaj/ Maharajan( professional Brahmin cook) to cook for them in their kitchens. There are many vegetarian families who still do not use garlic or onions in their cooking and inspite of that dish up quite a feast.
Also, many of them do not eat a morsel outside except for what is prepared from their kitchen.However, this is changing now because of the younger generation.This light and fullfilling curry recipe is from a UP brahmin family , taken from my Mother- in-law’s kitchen and recreated in my american kitchen.
The key here is to cut all the cauliflower florets in the same size and also use a thick frying pan and slow cook the cauliflower.
Ingredients:
1 head of cauliflower
2 inch piece minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
1 teaspoon of coriander powder
1 teaspoon of garam masala
1 teaspoon of chili powder
1 teaspoon of amchur powder
A pinch of turmeric
A pinch of asafoetida
2 teaspoons of lemon juice( adjust according to taste)
Oil, Salt to taste.
Method:
1. Heat oil in a skillet/frying pan and add the cumin seeds and asafoetida. once the cumin seeds sizzle, add the ginger and let it brown and then add coriander powder, turmeric and chilli powder and fry for not more than a minute,take care not burn and add immediately the cauliflower florets.
2. Let the masala coat the florets and add not more than 1/4 cup of water and salt and reduce the heat to a low and cover and cook for 10 minutes or until done and stir 1-2 times during that time.
3. Remove the cover and increase the heat and let the water , if any ,evaporate and switch off the flame.
4. Add the garam masala and amchur powder , mix well and cover again for 2-3 minutes for the flavours to blend.
5. Squeeze lemon juice on top and serve with basmati rice or rotis.
August 1st, 2007 at 7:46 pm
that looks so different and yummy. it has a very nice texture too.
August 1st, 2007 at 8:28 pm
Great recipe. Will try this. Looks fabulous. Thanks for sharing.
August 1st, 2007 at 8:35 pm
That looks really good. Thanks for a great recipe.
August 1st, 2007 at 9:36 pm
This is the second cauliflower dish I’m seeing today. Lovely pix!
August 1st, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Beautifully done!
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:07 am
Neatly presented. Nice information about Banaras.
BTW I have given link to your blog from mine. Hope that is fine with you
August 2nd, 2007 at 5:30 am
Oh my mom makes this sabzi Dee, we call it gobi ki sukhi sabzi… tastes amazing…. and yours looks so perfect…apparently whenever i have tried it, my florets get overcooked and mashed:(
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:26 am
I bought 2 Gobis last week,will try.Thanks Dee.Looks like a yummy dish and easy too.
Banarasi sarees,I love those!:)
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:27 am
looks great Dee, must be tasting really good too!
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:06 am
What a nice recipe, thanks for sharing Dee! We make a caulflower too, but with potatoes and without amchur and hing, I will certainly try your version.
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:31 am
I like the snaps of fresh cauliflower…nice post n thanx for sharing
August 5th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
the picture is looking very good! the dish looks delcious dear
August 6th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Simple and a very neat recipe. looks lovely.
August 7th, 2007 at 7:31 am
Those pictures are so gorgeous.
August 7th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Looks very yummy and tempting :-)))Will surely try it out ..
August 9th, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Thanks all for the wonderful comments:)
There was a slight delay in answering the comments and checking out all your wonderful blogs due to a family emergency.
A few virtual lessons from our dear raji, and my pictures look much better.
@Priyanka, I always slow cook cauliflower to retain the shape
@ SeeC, its a pleasure being on your blogroll!
@ Ashakka, I dont have that one thing yet, Didnt have time to buy one for my wedding, may be for my bro’s wedding, have my mom’s though!
September 29th, 2007 at 9:25 am
Hi Dee…gosh you have great recipes and lovely snapshots too. I really had a GRAND time here. Thanks
Do stop by at my blog someday…I’m at
http://passionateaboutbaking.blogspot.com/