What is Kurma?
Kurma is simply a GF, Vegan gravy , a medley of vegetables in a spicy coconut sauce. It is totally customisable based on the vegetables available on hand. Stand alone potato / cauliflower Kurma is also very popular. Be sure to read the notes and quick tips ???? given at the end of this post. Another Winter-special Kurma we make during the brief duration of chilly days is the Mochai Chow Chow Kurma (Chayote-Squash + field beans curry). My personal favourite with CHapati is of course this Tangy Spicy Kadag Puli (Squash in an umami-Tangy-Spice sauce)
Kurma / Korma /Kuruma/Qurma – where did it originate?
Its is said that Korma has its roots in the Mughlai cuisine of the Indian subcontinent. A characteristic Mughal dish, it can be traced back to the 16th century and to the Mughal incursions into the region. A bit of the nomenclature : In North India, the dish is referred to as Korma while South of the Vindhyas, it’s known as Kurma. While the Mughals travelled to the South of India majorly to Thanjavur (or the Tanjore region) , some special ingredients like poppy seeds, coconut also is said to have altered the dish a bit to suit regional produce.
Today’s dish is a trademark from my mother’s repertoire. She makes this so well, that chapatis / puris / flatbreads – absolutely everything just flies off the tava /pan with this lip smacking kurma. Poppy seeds is one of the major (nay, crucial) ingredient in this Kurma. You can add a handful of coriander leaves to the paste to make it more appealing. Else, the rest of the ingredients are the same.
What are the major ingredients that go into this Kurma?
- Mixed Vegetables – You can use a mix of cauliflower / peas / potato / green beans / carrots in any proportion)
- Coconut – fresh of frozen will work. It adds to the nuttiness while giving the thickness too
- Poppy seeds – again adds nuttiness and thickness
- Fried Gram / Pottukadalai – rounds off the spices and flavours to a smooth gravy taste
Did you know? ????
Benefits of Poppy Seeds – Apart from poppy seeds being a source of fiber, magnesium, calcium, and healthy fats, these seeds can be a good addition to a healthy diet. Poppy seeds are also low in cholesterol and sodium. They promote digestion, boost skin and hair health , help treat headaches, coughs, and asthma.
What are the other dishes with Poppy seeds?
- Poppy seeds payasam (a lip smacking kheer, again from my mother’s kitchen)
- Poppy seeds pulao (I am told this is a must-make-dish – trying this soon)
- Rose Thandai – a popular Summer Drink made with poppy seeds, dried nuts, rose petals
What are the other variations in Kurma made in South India?
What can I serve with this Kurma?
Let’s get to making this.
Serves – 4 generously
Prep time – 20 mins. Cook time – 20 mins ;
Cuisine : South Indian, Course : Side Dish
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You need:
- 1.5 cups Mixed Vegetables – parboiled
- 1/4 cup sauteed cauliflower with a pinch of salt and turmeric.
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp oil
- For the spice paste
- 1/2 cup freshly grated coconut (thaw if using frozen)
- 3 green chillies
- 1 tbsp Poppy seeds
- 1 onion
- 2 tbsp pottukadalai / fried gram
- 1 tbsp fennel seeds / saunf
- 2 garlic pods
- 1 tsp fennel
How to:
Refer the video embedded below to know the detailed steps. If you are visiting the channel for the first time, take a moment to like, share and subscribe to the channel. ❤️ Do leave any comments below or on the channel on how you liked it or what changes you would like to make for you / your family.
Be sure to read the notes / Tips given at the end of the post too
Mixed Veg Kurma | Side Dish for Chapati , Poori, Rice, Idly etc
Equipment
- Bowl
- Ladle
- Wet Blender
- Kadai
- Knife
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Mixed vegetables I used Potato,french beans, carrots and peas
- ¼ cup Cauliflower sauteed with a pinch of salt and turmeric
- ⅓ cup White Beans Boiled tender
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp Oil
- ½ cup Grated coconut
- 3 Green Chillies
- 1 tbsp Poppy Seeds
- 1 onion
- 2 tbsp Fried Gram
- 1 tbsp Fennel Seeds
- 2 Garlic pods
Instructions
Refer the video embedded below to know the detailed steps. If you are visiting the channel for the first time, take a moment to like, share and subscribe to the channel. ❤️ Do leave any comments below or on the channel on how you liked it or what changes you would like to make for you / your family
Video
Notes
- I used a microwave to par boil vegetables so they retain the crunch and colour. Boiling or adding the veggies raw and cooking them in the gravy will alter the taste considerably.
- One can make this gravy / Kurma completely oil free too. Just skip the oil while saueeting or making the tempering
- Any combo of vegetables mentioned above will work, Additionally, potato / knol khol / Chow Chow (Chayote squash) will also work
- Same masala paste can be used to make a standalone cauliflower or potato kurma.
- Addition of the sauteed cauliflower is totally optional. We love the extra crunch and colour in this gravy
Delicious kurma preparation with mixed vegetables. It is a tasty and versatile dish and can be relished with rotis, puris, dosas , appams. Pairs well with anything.
Thank u, yes we love it esp with Puris..
Kurma is such a versatile dish. Once you make the base, you can cook almost anything in it from veggies to chicken. This veg version looks so delicious and healthy!
you are so right, Mir. This base paste is indeed versatile.. Thank you so much !
I absolutely love vegetable kurma, and yours looks so very delicious! There are so many different ways to make kurma. Love your simple, flavourful recipe. ????
Thanks Priya.yes, so many delicious ways to make kurma.
Vegetable kurma looks absolutely delicious. Simple and easy to prepare in a way that you cook. Will love to try it once .
pl do try it Hema ji! its quite delicious
Mixed veg kurma looks delicious and ideal with a few hot puris. Loved your version, its flavoursome and easy to make.
thanks Jayashree. Its super delish with puris 🙂
While I do love the rich creamy korma from the North, this South Indian version with coconut is a must try recipe for me. Love how versatile the recipe is as one can use mixed veggies of their choice. Very much a doable recipe in my limited kitchen at the present place I’m staying in.
ah thats perfect Mayuri. Do try this veg kurma whenever possible
Simply delicious mixed veg kurma. Feel like grabbing a plate serving myself and digging into it right away. Loving it.
thanks Jolly. Hope you do try it sometime
Loved your version of mixed veg kurma. Simple and delicious kurma will pair well with just about any bread. Will definitely try making it during the week.
Thank you, Archana. yes its quite delicious with any flatbread!