wellhealthorganic.com Navratan Korma: Navratan Korma, a rich Indian dish deriving its name from the nine (nav) ingredients (ratna) it traditionally contains, showcases a delightful blend of nuts, dry fruits, assorted vegetables, fruits, cream, and a plethora of spices and herbs.
Navratan Korma
- Preparation Time: 40 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Cuisine: Indian, Mughlai
- Course: Main Course
- Diet: Vegetarian
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ingredients:
Mixed Vegetables:
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped (about ½ cup)
- ½ cup shelled peas or frozen peas
- 1 large potato or 2 medium potatoes, chopped (about ¾ cup)
- ¼ cup chopped green beans (about 10 to 12 beans)
- 1 cup chopped cauliflower (optional)
- 8 to 9 baby corn, chopped (optional)
Other Ingredients:
- 2 medium-sized onions, thinly sliced (about ½ cup)
- 2 to 3 green chilies, chopped
- ½ tablespoon Ginger Garlic Paste (or crushed garlic and ginger)
- ½ cup Curd (yogurt)
- ⅓ cup fresh low-fat cream or whipping cream
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon Garam Masala
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 2 tablespoons Ghee
- 1 cup water (or as required)
- Salt to taste
- For the Nuts and Seeds Paste:
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 10 to 12 almonds
- 10 to 12 cashews
- 1 tablespoon melon seeds
- ¼ cup water (for grinding)
Whole Spices:
- 2 to 3 green cardamom
- 1 black cardamom
- 3 cloves
- 1-inch stick of cinnamon
- 1 Indian bay leaf (tej patta)
- 2 single strands of mace
For Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon Ghee
- 6 to 7 blanched almonds
- 10 pistachios
- 10 cashew nuts
- 10 walnut halves
- 1 tablespoon raisins
- ½ cup chopped pineapple or pineapple slices
- ½ tablespoon melon seeds
- 1 tablespoon mint leaves
- A pinch of saffron strands
- 2 teaspoons ginger julienne
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Instructions:
Preparing Nuts and Seeds Paste:
- Soak all dry fruits and seeds in hot water for 30 to 40 minutes.
- Peel almonds and add them to a grinder along with the other soaked nuts and seeds.
- Add 1/4 cup of water and blend until a smooth paste forms. Adjust water as needed. Set aside.
Making Navratan Korma:
- Heat ghee in a thick-bottomed pot. Add whole spices and fry until aromatic.
- Add sliced onions and sauté until golden. Next, incorporate ginger-garlic paste along with finely chopped green chilies. Sauté until fragrant.
- Mix in the nuts-seeds paste and curd. Stir well. Add turmeric and chili powder. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add mixed veggies and water. Season with salt. Simmer covered until the vegetables are tender.
- Stir in cream and garam masala. Remove from heat. Keep aside.
Garnishing Navratan Korma:
- Heat ghee in a frying pan. Sauté blanched almonds until pale golden. Set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté pistachios, cashews, walnuts until lightly golden. Add raisins, melon seeds, chopped pineapple, mint leaves, saffron strands, and ginger julienne. Sauté briefly.
Serving Navratan Korma:
- Garnish korma with sautéed nuts, seeds, and pineapple cubes. Serve with Indian flatbread or rice.
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Notes:
- If melon seeds are unavailable, adjust by increasing almonds and cashews.
- Soak poppy seeds before blending.
- Pineapple is optional. Substitute with apples or grapes if desired.
- Paneer can be added optionally.
- Customize mixed veggies according to preference.