Veg Kolhapuri (Spicy Vegetable Gravy)

Veg Kolhapuri (Spicy Vegetable Gravy from Kolhapur): Kolhapur in western India was the seat of the 17th century Maratha empire and is known as the standard-bearer of the royal Maratha cuisine. It is well known for its spicy vegetarian and meat-based dishes, generally made with the famous lavangi mirchi (spicy chilli) that is grown in and around the area.


Ingredients:

- 1 medium potato boiled and diced
- 1 carrot boiled and diced
- 1/4 cup of boiled corn
- 1/2 cup of cauliflower florets boiled
- 10 Green beans half inch sliced and boiled
- 1/4 cup of boiled green peas
- 1 tsp of Ginger garlic paste
- 4 tbsp of oil
- 2 tbsp of dry grated coconut
- 6 cloves
- 6 Black Peppercorns
- 1 tsp of poppy seeds
- 1 tsp of coriander seeds
- 6 whole dry red chillies
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 2 medium sized tomatoes finely chopped
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- Salt
- 1 tbsp of fresh cilantro finely chopped

Ingredients for Kolhapuri Garam Masala:

- 1/2 tsp Fennel Seeds
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 1 stone flower(called 'dagad phool' in India; you can buy it at any Indian store)
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 black cardamoms
- 6-7 black peppercorns


Method:

- Grind the kolhapuri masala to a fine powder mixture and set aside.
- Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a pan/wok.
- Add grated dry coconut, cloves, coriander seeds, poppy seeds, red chillies and black peppercorns. Lightly fry them.
- Add half of the chopped onions and cook till it turns slightly brown. Cool the mixture and then grind to a paste (in a mixer/grinder) with little water if needed. Set the masala paste aside.

- Heat remaining oil in a pan/wok. Add the remaining chopped onions and the ginger-garlic paste and saute on medium heat till the onions caramelize.
- Now add tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chilli powder and the masala paste. Cook till the tomatoes are nicely cooked and oil starts to separate.
- Add half cup of water and cook for 2 mins. Put in the boiled vegetables and salt. Simmer for 5 mins.

- Now sprinkle a tsp of the kolhapuri garam masala powder. Mix well.
- Let cook for a minute.
- Remove in a serving bowl and garnish with cilantro.
- You can serve it with either naan, bread, paratha or rotis.


**** You can add any vegetables of your choice for the preparation of this dish.