A luxurious Mughlai curry featuring nine 'gems'—a mix of vegetables, fruits, and nuts in a rich, creamy, and mildly sweet white gravy. This festive dish is perfect for special occasions and pairs beautifully with naan or jeera rice.
Prep30 min
Cook40 min
Soak30 min
Servings4
Serving size: 1 cup
511cal
14gprotein
33gcarbs
Ingredients
1 medium Carrot (diced)
0.5 cup French Beans (chopped)
1 medium Potato (peeled and diced)
1 cup Cauliflower Florets
0.5 cup Green Peas (fresh or frozen)
150 g Paneer (cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
0.25 cup Cashews (for the gravy paste, soaked in hot water for 20 minutes)
Soft, fluffy, and pillowy Indian flatbread, traditionally cooked in a tandoor but easily made at home on a skillet. Slathered with butter, it's the perfect companion for any rich curry or dal.
A legendary creamy and rich dal made from slow-cooked whole black lentils and tomatoes. This Mughlai specialty is simmered for hours until velvety, finished with butter and cream for an unforgettable flavor.
Rich Navratan Korma with creamy Dal Bukhara. A soul-satisfying, protein-packed meal for a grand dinner!
This mughlai dish is perfect for dinner. With 1471.83 calories and 41.05g of protein per serving, it's a nutritious choice for your meal plan.
37gfat
1 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
2 pcs Green Chilli (slit lengthwise)
3 tbsp Ghee
2 tbsp Oil (for frying paneer and nuts)
1 pcs Bay Leaf
1 inch Cinnamon Stick
3 pcs Green Cardamom Pods
3 pcs Cloves
0.25 cup Curd (whisked until smooth)
0.25 cup Fresh Cream (heavy or whipping cream)
1 tsp Coriander Powder
0.5 tsp Garam Masala
1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
1 tsp Sugar
1 tsp Kasuri Methi (crushed between palms)
1.5 cup Water (as needed for gravy consistency)
0.25 cup Pineapple Chunks (canned or fresh)
1 tbsp Raisins (for garnish)
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (finely chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Vegetables and Paneer (The 'Gems')
In a pot, bring water to a boil. Add the diced carrots, beans, potatoes, and cauliflower. Cook for 5-7 minutes until they are tender but still have a slight bite. Add the green peas in the last minute of cooking. Drain all vegetables and set aside.
Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Gently slide in the paneer cubes and shallow-fry for 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are light golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. You can place them in a bowl of warm water to keep them soft.
In the same pan, add the 8 cashews and raisins for garnish. Fry for 30-60 seconds until the cashews are golden and the raisins plump up. Remove and set aside.
2
Create the Smooth Korma Paste
Drain the soaked cashews and poppy seeds.
In a small pot, add the chopped onion and cover with water. Boil for 5-7 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent. This step removes the raw pungency. Drain thoroughly.
In a high-speed blender, combine the soaked cashews, poppy seeds, boiled onion, and green chillies. Blend into a very smooth, fine paste. Add 2-3 tablespoons of water if needed to help it blend.
3
Cook the Royal Gravy
Heat 3 tbsp of ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai over medium heat. Add the whole spices: bay leaf, cinnamon stick, green cardamom pods, and cloves. Sauté for about 30-45 seconds until they become fragrant.
Add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for another minute until the raw smell disappears.
Lower the heat and add the prepared korma paste. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring continuously, until the paste thickens, darkens slightly, and you see ghee separating from the sides.
Stir in the coriander powder and cook for one more minute.
Turn the heat to the absolute lowest setting. Slowly pour in the whisked curd while stirring constantly and vigorously to prevent it from splitting. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the ghee starts to surface again.
Add 1.5 cups of water, salt, and sugar. Mix well and bring the gravy to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes.
4
Combine and Finish the Korma
Gently add the boiled vegetables, fried paneer, and pineapple chunks to the simmering gravy.
Mix carefully to coat everything. Cover and let it simmer on low heat for 5-6 minutes, allowing the vegetables and paneer to absorb the flavors of the rich gravy.
Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the fresh cream, crushed kasuri methi, and garam masala. Mix gently and cook for just one more minute. Do not let the korma boil after adding the cream.
Turn off the heat. Garnish with the fried cashews, raisins, and freshly chopped coriander leaves.
5
Serve
Serve the Navratan Korma hot with naan, roti, paratha, or jeera rice.
4
Serving size: 2 pieces
451cal
10gprotein
63gcarbs
18gfat
Ingredients
2.5 cup Maida
1 tsp Active Dry Yeast
1 tsp Sugar
0.5 cup Warm Water (Around 105-115°F or 40-46°C)
0.5 cup Curd (Plain, full-fat)
2 tbsp Vegetable Oil (plus more for greasing the bowl)
1 tsp Salt
0.5 tsp Baking Powder
0.25 tsp Baking Soda
3 tbsp Butter (melted, for brushing)
1 tsp Kalonji (optional, for topping)
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, combine the warm water (105-115°F / 40-46°C), sugar, and active dry yeast.
Stir gently and let it stand for 5-10 minutes. The mixture should become frothy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is active. If it doesn't, discard and start over with fresh yeast.
2
Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the maida, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
Create a well in the center. Pour in the activated yeast mixture, curd, and vegetable oil.
Gradually mix the wet and dry ingredients with a spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8-10 minutes until it becomes soft, smooth, and elastic. It should spring back when you press it lightly.
3
First Rise (Proofing)
Lightly grease a large bowl with oil. Place the kneaded dough in the bowl and turn it over to coat it with oil.
5 cup Water (4 cups for pressure cooking, 1 cup for simmering)
1.5 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
2 tbsp Ghee
4 tbsp Unsalted Butter (Divided into two portions)
2 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
1.5 cup Tomato Puree (From about 4-5 medium tomatoes)
1.5 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder (For color and mild heat)
0.5 cup Heavy Cream (At least 35% fat)
1 tsp Kasuri Methi (Dried fenugreek leaves)
1 inch Ginger (Cut into fine juliennes for garnish)
Instructions
1
Soak the Lentils
Rinse the sabut urad dal and rajma under cold running water until the water runs clear.
Place them in a large bowl and cover with at least 4-5 inches of water. Let them soak for a minimum of 8 hours, or preferably overnight.
2
Pressure Cook the Lentils
Drain the soaking water completely. Transfer the soaked dal and rajma to a pressure cooker.
Add 4 cups of fresh water and 1 teaspoon of salt. Secure the lid.
Cook on high heat until the first whistle. Then, reduce the heat to low and cook for 25-30 minutes.
Turn off the heat and allow the pressure to release naturally. The lentils should be very soft and easily mashable. Lightly mash about 25% of the lentils with the back of a spoon to help thicken the dal.
3
Prepare the Tomato Masala
In a heavy-bottomed pot (handi or Dutch oven), heat the ghee and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
Once melted, add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for 1-2 minutes until the raw aroma disappears.
Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until it has doubled in volume.
4
Divide and Shape the Naan
Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down to release the air.
Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and roll each into a smooth ball. Cover the balls with a cloth and let them rest for 10 minutes.
On a lightly floured surface, take one dough ball and roll it into a classic teardrop or oval shape, about 6-7 inches long and 1/4 inch thick.
If using, sprinkle some kalonji and chopped coriander on top and press them gently into the dough with the rolling pin.
5
Cook the Naan
Heat a cast-iron skillet or a heavy-bottomed tawa over medium-high heat. It needs to be very hot before you start.
Take a shaped naan and brush one side lightly with water. This side will go down on the skillet.
Carefully place the naan, water-side down, onto the hot skillet. It should stick immediately. Cook for about 1-2 minutes, until large bubbles appear on the surface.
Using tongs, flip the naan and cook the other side for another 1-2 minutes until golden-brown spots appear.
For a tandoor-like char (optional but recommended), use tongs to carefully hold the cooked naan directly over a medium gas flame for 10-15 seconds, turning it until you see charred spots.
6
Finish and Serve
Remove the naan from the heat and immediately brush it generously with melted butter.
Repeat the process for the remaining dough balls. Keep the cooked naans warm by stacking them in a casserole dish or wrapping them in a clean kitchen towel.
Serve hot with your favorite curry, dal, or kebab.
Pour in the tomato puree, add the Kashmiri red chili powder and the remaining 0.5 teaspoon of salt.
Cook this mixture, stirring occasionally, for about 10-12 minutes, until the masala thickens and you see ghee separating from the sides.
4
Slow Cook the Dal
Add the cooked, mashed lentils along with all their cooking liquid to the tomato masala. Mix everything thoroughly.
Add 1 cup of warm water to adjust the consistency. Bring the dal to a gentle boil.
Reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting. Cover the pot partially and let the dal simmer for at least 2 hours. For the most authentic, creamy texture, simmer for up to 4 hours.
Stir the dal every 15-20 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pot to prevent it from scorching. The dal will thicken and darken in color as it cooks.
5
Finish and Garnish
Once the dal has reached a thick, creamy, and velvety consistency, stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the heavy cream.
Crush the kasuri methi between your palms to release its aroma and add it to the pot.
Gently mix and let it simmer for another 5 minutes on low heat. Do not let it boil vigorously after adding the cream.
Taste and adjust the salt if necessary. Garnish with a swirl of cream and fresh ginger juliennes.
6
Serve
Serve Dal Bukhara hot with naan, lachha paratha, or jeera rice for a truly royal meal.
