Creamy Vegetable Mawa Korma
This luxurious Creamy Vegetable Mawa Korma features a rich, subtly sweet, and aromatic gravy made with a blend of ground spices, fresh vegetables, and the unique addition of mawa (khoa), creating an unforgettable dining experience.
For 4 servings
**Prepare Aromatics and Spices:** Heat ghee or oil in a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai over medium heat. Add whole spices (cardamom, cloves, cinnamon stick) and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until translucent and lightly golden, about 5-7 minutes.
**Build the Base:** Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for another minute until the raw aroma disappears. Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, and red chili powder. Sauté for 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
**Add Tomato and Simmer:** Pour in the tomato puree and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the oil starts to separate from the masala, about 5-7 minutes. This step is crucial for a rich gravy.
**Incorporate Vegetables:** Add the mixed vegetables to the pan and mix well with the masala. Pour in the hot water, bring to a gentle simmer, then cover the pan and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
**Introduce Mawa and Cream:** Once the vegetables are cooked, stir in the crumbled mawa and garam masala. Mix gently until the mawa dissolves into the gravy, creating a creamy texture. Reduce heat to low.
**Finish with Cream:** Stir in the heavy cream and cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the gravy to thicken slightly. Do not boil vigorously after adding cream.
**Garnish and Serve:** Taste and adjust salt if needed. Garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve hot with naan, roti, or steamed basmati rice.
What to keep in mind.
4 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1**Quality Mawa:** Use good quality, unsweetened mawa (khoa) for the best flavor and texture. If mawa is unavailable, you can substitute with milk powder cooked down with a little milk and ghee until it forms a thick paste.
- 2**Vegetable Variety:** Don't hesitate to customize your vegetable selection. Broccoli, mushrooms, or even blanched spinach can be excellent additions. Ensure they are cut into uniform pieces for even cooking.
- 3**Low Heat for Cream:** When adding cream, keep the heat on low and avoid rapid boiling to prevent the cream from splitting or curdling, which can affect the gravy's smooth texture.
- 4**Pre-blanching Hard Vegetables:** For harder vegetables like carrots or potatoes, you can blanch them briefly before adding to the curry to ensure they cook evenly and quickly with the softer vegetables.
Adapt it for your goals.
Ingredient Swap
Replace half of the mixed vegetables with 1 cup of cubed paneer (Indian cheese) for a richer, protein-packed version. Add paneer along with the mawa.
Flavor EnhancementFlavor Enhancement
For an even richer gravy, add a paste made from 10-12 blanched almonds or cashews (soaked for 30 minutes and ground with a little water) along with the tomato puree.
Spice AdjustmentSpice Adjustment
Increase the red chili powder or add a finely chopped green chili along with the ginger-garlic paste for a spicier korma.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Nutrient-Dense Vegetables
Packed with a variety of mixed vegetables, this korma provides essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, supporting overall health and digestion.
Powerful Antioxidants
Spices like turmeric, cumin, and coriander are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, contributing to cellular health and immunity.
Source of Calcium
The inclusion of mawa and heavy cream offers a good source of calcium, important for bone health, nerve function, and muscle contraction.
Frequently asked questions
To make it vegan, substitute ghee with a plant-based oil, and replace mawa with a cashew paste (soaked cashews blended with a little water) and heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or a plant-based cream. The flavor profile will change slightly but still be delicious.
