Mughlai Gobhi Korma
A rich and creamy cauliflower korma made in classic Mughlai style. Tender cauliflower florets are simmered in a luxurious gravy of cashews, yogurt, and aromatic spices. A perfect vegetarian centerpiece for a special meal.
For 4 servings
5 steps. 25 minutes total.
- 1
Prepare the ingredients: - Cut the cauliflower into medium-sized florets
- a.Blanch them in boiling salted water for 3-4 minutes, then drain and set aside. - Soak the cashew nuts in 1/4 cup of hot water for 15 minutes. - Thinly slice one onion and roughly chop the other.
- 2
Make the korma paste: - In a small pan, heat 1 tablespoon of ghee
- a.Add the roughly chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent. - Add the soaked cashews (along with their water) and cook for another minute. - Let the mixture cool completely. Transfer to a blender, add the whisked curd, and grind to a very smooth paste.
- 3
Step 3
- a.Prepare the fried onions and gravy base: - In a larger pot or kadai, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of ghee over medium heat. - Add the thinly sliced onions and fry, stirring often, for 8-10 minutes until they are golden brown and crisp. Remove half of the fried onions and set them aside for garnish. - In the same ghee with the remaining onions, add the bay leaf, green cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon stick. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. - Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute until the raw smell disappears.
- 4
Cook the korma gravy: - Reduce the heat to low
- a.Add the coriander powder, turmeric, red chili powder, and white pepper powder. Stir for 20-30 seconds. - Pour in the cashew-onion-curd paste. Cook on low heat, stirring continuously, for 5-7 minutes until the paste thickens and ghee begins to separate at the edges. - Slowly stir in 1.5 cups of water and salt. Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer.
- 5
Step 5
- a.Cook the cauliflower and finish the dish: - Add the blanched cauliflower florets to the gravy. Mix gently to coat. - Cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat for 10-12 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender but still holds its shape. - Stir in the fresh cream, sugar, and garam masala. Crush the reserved fried onions with your hands and add them to the korma. - Finally, add the kewra water and give it a gentle mix. Let it simmer for 2 more minutes. - Garnish with the remaining fried onions and chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Blanching the cauliflower ensures it cooks evenly, stays white, and removes any raw smell.
- 2Always cook the yogurt-based paste on low heat while stirring constantly to prevent it from curdling.
- 3For an even richer flavor, you can lightly fry the blanched cauliflower florets in a little ghee before adding them to the gravy.
- 4Don't overcook the cauliflower after adding it to the gravy; it should be tender-crisp, not mushy.
- 5Kewra water adds a distinct Mughlai aroma, but use it sparingly as a little goes a long way.
- 6To save time, you can use store-bought fried onions (birista).
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegan
Replace ghee with a neutral oil, use a plant-based yogurt, and substitute the fresh cream with an equal amount of cashew cream.
high proteinHigh protein
Add 200g of paneer cubes or 1 cup of boiled chickpeas along with the cauliflower for a protein boost.
quickQuick
Use store-bought fried onions (birista) to save about 10-15 minutes of prep and cooking time.
jainJain
Omit the onions and ginger-garlic paste. Increase the cashews to 20-25 and use a base of 1 cup tomato puree instead.
