A creamy and aromatic curry loaded with mixed vegetables, simmered in a rich sauce made from cashews, coconut, and yogurt. This restaurant-style dish is mildly spiced and pairs perfectly with naan or rice.
Prep20 min
Cook30 min
Soak15 min
Servings4
Serving size: 1 cup
242cal
6gprotein
20gcarbs
Ingredients
0.5 cup Carrot (diced into 1/2-inch cubes)
0.5 cup Green Beans (cut into 1-inch pieces)
0.5 cup Green Peas (fresh or frozen)
0.5 cup Potato (peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes)
A quintessential Mughlai flatbread, Saffron Sheermal is a mildly sweet, soft, and leavened bread enriched with milk, ghee, and the luxurious aroma of saffron. Its name, derived from the Persian words 'sheer' (milk) and 'mal' (to rub), reflects its rich, tender texture. Traditionally cooked in a tandoor, this home-style version on a tawa yields a delightful bread perfect for pairing with rich curries like Nihari or Korma.
Creamy, perfectly spiced Vegetable Korma with soft, aromatic Sheermal. A delightful, energy-giving treat for lunch!
This mughlai dish is perfect for lunch. With 640.84 calories and 14.36g of protein per serving, it's a nutritious choice for your meal plan.
16gfat
1 pc Bay Leaf
1 inch Cinnamon Stick
2 pods Green Cardamom (lightly crushed)
2 pcs Cloves
1 medium Onion (finely chopped)
1 tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
1 pc Green Chili (slit lengthwise)
0.25 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Coriander Powder
0.5 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder (for color, adjust to taste)
0.5 cup Curd (plain, full-fat, whisked until smooth)
1.5 cup Water (plus more for grinding paste)
1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
0.5 tsp Sugar (to balance flavors)
0.5 tsp Garam Masala
1 tbsp Fresh Cream (optional, for extra richness)
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (finely chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Korma Paste
In a small bowl, soak the cashew nuts and poppy seeds in 1/4 cup of warm water for at least 20 minutes. This will soften them for grinding.
Transfer the soaked cashews, poppy seeds, and desiccated coconut to a blender.
Add 2-3 tablespoons of water and grind to a very smooth, fine paste. Set aside.
2
Cook the Vegetables
In a pot of boiling water, add the diced potatoes and carrots. Cook for 4-5 minutes.
Add the cauliflower florets and green beans. Cook for another 3-4 minutes.
Finally, add the green peas and cook for 1 minute. The vegetables should be about 80% cooked and still have a slight crunch.
Drain the vegetables and set them aside.
3
Sauté Aromatics and Build the Base
Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai over medium heat.
Add the bay leaf, cinnamon stick, crushed green cardamom pods, and cloves. Sauté for 30-40 seconds until they release their aroma.
Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent. Do not let it brown.
Add the ginger-garlic paste and slit green chili. Cook for another minute until the raw smell disappears.
4
Create the Creamy Gravy
Reduce the heat to low. Add the turmeric powder, coriander powder, and Kashmiri red chili powder. Stir for 30 seconds.
Add the well-whisked curd. Stir continuously and vigorously for 2-3 minutes to prevent it from splitting.
Once the curd is incorporated, add the prepared cashew-coconut paste. Cook, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes until the paste thickens and you see ghee separating from the sides.
5
Simmer and Finish the Korma
Gradually pour in 1.5 cups of water, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add salt and sugar, and mix well.
Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Add the cooked vegetables to the gravy. Mix gently to coat them well.
Cover the pan and let it simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes, allowing the vegetables to absorb the flavors.
Stir in the garam masala and optional fresh cream. Cook for one more minute, then turn off the heat.
Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves and serve hot.
Servings4
Serving size: 1 piece
399cal
8gprotein
56gcarbs
15gfat
Ingredients
2 cup All-Purpose Flour (Also known as Maida)
0.75 cup Warm Milk (Should be lukewarm, about 105-115°F or 40-46°C)
4 tbsp Ghee (Melted and divided)
2 tbsp Sugar (Use granulated sugar)
0.25 tsp Saffron Strands (A generous pinch)
1 tsp Instant Yeast
0.5 tsp Salt
0.5 tsp Kewra Water (Optional, for authentic fragrance)
Instructions
1
Bloom Saffron & Activate Yeast (10 minutes)
In a small bowl, take 2 tablespoons of the warm milk and add the saffron strands. Let it soak to release its color and aroma.
In a separate, larger bowl, combine the remaining warm milk, sugar, and instant yeast. Stir gently and set aside for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy and active.
2
Prepare the Dough (15 minutes)
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
Add 3 tablespoons of melted ghee to the flour. Using your fingertips, rub the ghee into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
Pour the frothy yeast mixture, the saffron-infused milk, and the optional kewra water into the flour mixture.
Combine everything to form a shaggy dough, then transfer to a lightly floured surface.
Knead for 10-12 minutes by hand (or 7-8 minutes in a stand mixer with a dough hook) until the dough is soft, smooth, and elastic.
3
Proof the Dough (60-90 minutes)
Form the kneaded dough into a smooth ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl.
Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap.
Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 60 to 90 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
4
Shape the Sheermals (10 minutes)
Gently punch down the risen dough to release the air.
Divide the dough into 4 equal portions and roll each into a smooth ball.
On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a 6-inch round or oval disc, about 1/4-inch thick.
Thoroughly prick the entire surface of each disc with a fork. This is crucial to prevent it from puffing up during cooking.
5
Cook the Sheermals (15 minutes)
Heat a heavy-bottomed pan (tawa) or a non-stick skillet over low-medium heat.
Place one shaped sheermal on the hot tawa and cook for 2-3 minutes until the underside has light golden-brown spots.
Flip the sheermal, cover the pan with a lid, and continue to cook on low heat for another 3-4 minutes. The trapped steam helps cook it through and keeps it soft.
Remove from the pan and repeat the process for the remaining dough portions.
6
Glaze and Serve (2 minutes)
As soon as each sheermal is cooked, immediately brush it generously with the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted ghee.
Serve warm with rich curries like korma, nihari, or enjoy on its own.
