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Tofu and Mixed Vegetable Korma (Vegan)

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 6 people

Equipment

  • Large skillet

Ingredients

  • 1 block firm tofu
  • 1 small cauliflower cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas thawed
  • 1 can fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup raw cashews soaked for an hour in water
  • 1/2 cup snow peas (or green beans), cut in half
  • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 handful carrot sticks for color (or 1-2 carrots, cut finely)

Spices

  • 1/2 stick cinnamon
  • 3-4 pods cardamom
  • 3-4 cloves
  • 3-4 whole peppercorns
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1-2 tsp red chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp kasuri methi
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro for garnish
  • salt to taste
  • 1 tsp sugar (I use coconut sugar)

Instructions

Prepare the Tofu

  • Drain and press the tofu to remove excess water. Chop into cubes.
  • Brown the tofu slightly on a skillet with a few tbsps of oil. It does not have to be super crispy, so just a couple minutes on each side should suffice.
  • Set tofu aside on a towel lined plate.

Prepare the masala

  • In a skillet, heat 2-3 tbsp of a mild oil like sunflower.
  • Add 1 tsp of cumin seeds.
  • Once cumin seeds sputter, add healthy 1 tbsp of ginger-garlic paste (or 1 clove garlic and 1/2 tsp ginger grated), and onion.
  • Add the whole garam masala spices: clove, peppercorn, cardamom, cinnamon, and saute for a few minutes.
  • Add red chili powder and turmeric and stir the mixture.
  • Add the can of fire roasted tomatoes, stir to combine and allow this to cook down for 3-5 minutes.
  • Add 1 cup of water and 1 tbsp tomato paste, 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp sugar (I use coconut sugar). The sugar will cut some of the acidity when using canned tomatoes.
  • Simmer the sauce on medium for 5-10 minutes.
  • Add the cauliflower and cover, simmer for another 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the florets are cooked through.
  • Add the thawed peas, snow peas and carrot sticks. Stir to combine, cover and simmer for another few minutes. These vegetables do not take long to cook. If the mixture looks like it needs more water, add a little at a time.

Prepare the cashew cream

  • In a separate bullet blender, blend 1/3 cup cashews with 1/2 cup water. Blend until it is a creamy consistency.

Finish the dish

  • Add the cashew cream to the dish. Stir to combine.
  • Sprinkle some kasuri methi on top (optional)
  • Adjust salt as appropriate and garnish with cilantro.

Notes

  • Feel free to use whichever vegetables you have on hand, noting that cooking times may vary depending on the vegetable.
  • If you do not have the whole spices, you can use 1/2 -1 tsp of ground garam masala powder. 
  • Parboiling the cauliflower will reduce the cooking time by at least 10 minutes