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Navratan Korma Recipe

Navratan Korma

A rich and creamy Indian vegetable curry made with paneer, nuts, and a spiced cashew-onion sauce.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Soaking Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients
  

Cashew Base & Aromatics
  • 1/4 cup raw cashews Soaked in hot water for 20 minutes
  • 2 tablespoons ghee Or neutral cooking oil
  • 1 inch cinnamon stick Whole spice
  • 2 whole green cardamom pods Lightly crushed
  • 1 medium onion Finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ginger paste Freshly minced or paste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic paste Freshly minced or paste
  • 2 medium tomatoes Pureed or finely chopped
Vegetables & Paneer
  • 1 cup paneer Cut into bite-sized cubes
  • 1 cup carrots Diced
  • 1 cup green beans Cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup cauliflower Cut into small florets
  • 1 cup potatoes Peeled and diced
  • 1/2 cup peas Fresh or thawed frozen green peas
Spices & Finishing
  • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder For color and mild heat
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder Ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala Added at the end
  • 1 teaspoon salt Adjust to taste
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream Or plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons sultanas Or raisins

Equipment

  • 1 Heavy-bottomed pan or Kadai Used for sautéing and simmering the curry.
  • 1 * Blender Used to grind the cashew paste and onion-tomato base.

Method
 

  1. Place the raw cashews in a bowl of hot water and let them soak for 20 minutes. Drain and blend into a smooth paste using a little fresh water.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add the paneer cubes and pan-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until light golden on the edges. Remove and set aside in warm water to keep soft.
  3. In the same pan, add the carrots, green beans, cauliflower, and potatoes. Sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until slightly tender and browned at the edges. Remove and set aside.
  4. Add the remaining ghee to the pan over medium heat. Add the cinnamon stick and green cardamom pods, letting them sizzle for 30 seconds. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until golden brown.
  5. Stir in the ginger paste and garlic paste, cooking for 1 minute until the raw aroma disappears. Add the pureed tomatoes, Kashmiri chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the oil begins to separate from the tomato mixture.
  6. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the blended cashew paste. Pour in 1 cup of water and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
  7. Add the sautéed vegetables, peas, and sultanas to the simmering sauce. Cover and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Gently squeeze the water from the paneer cubes and fold them into the curry along with the garam masala and heavy cream. Simmer for 2 more minutes, then remove from heat and serve warm.

Notes

Soaking the fried paneer in warm water keeps its texture soft rather than chewy.
Adjust the amount of water in the gravy depending on whether you prefer a thick or loose consistency.