Indian · serves 2

Navratan Curry

Nine things in one gravy — vegetables, paneer, cashews, raisins, pineapple. Wedding food at home.

45 min A proper cook Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup carrots, parboiled and diced
  • 1/2 cup peas
  • 1/2 cup green beans, boiled
  • 1 cup potatoes, diced and cooked
  • 1/2 cup cauliflower florets
  • 1 capsicum, sliced
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 1 cup tomatoes, pureed
  • 150g paneer, cubed and fried
  • 2 tbsp raisins
  • 2 tbsp cashews
  • 1/2 cup pineapple pieces
  • 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 tbsp besan
  • 1/2 tbsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp chilli powder
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1 cup yogurt
  • 3 tbsp ghee

Method

  1. Fry the capsicum on its own and set it aside — it keeps its colour that way.
  2. Fry the onions in ghee until transparent, add ginger-garlic, then the besan for a minute. The besan is what stops the gravy going thin.
  3. Chilli, turmeric, coriander powder and salt, then the tomatoes. Two minutes.
  4. Yogurt in off the boil, stir, then 2 cups water. Bring up and simmer 3 minutes.
  5. Everything else in — fried paneer, all the vegetables, pineapple, garam masala.
  6. Cashews and raisins scattered on top at the table.

Questions people ask about Navratan Curry

How long does Navratan Curry take?

About 45 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a proper cook. Most of that is active, so read the method through before you start rather than chopping as you go.

What is the one thing to get right in Navratan Curry?

Fry the onions in ghee until transparent, add ginger-garlic, then the besan for a minute. The besan is what stops the gravy going thin.

What can I use instead of paneer in Navratan Curry?

Use firm tofu, pressed dry first, or halloumi if you cut the salt elsewhere. Both hold shape better than paneer, so add them a minute later.

Can I make Navratan Curry ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Navratan Curry vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

What do you serve with Navratan Curry?

Roti or plain rice, with something sharp on the side: curd, pickle or sliced onion. It serves two as written. Double everything to feed four, but use a wider pan so the food still browns rather than steams.

Don't know what to cook? Let it decide →

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