BROCCOLI & GREEN PEAS KURMA

 BROCCOLI & GREEN PEAS KURMA 

Broccoli ( pronounced with the second "o" being silent) is a vegetable which belongs to the same family as cauliflower. It ranks as one of the healthiest vegetables as described in this article in Medical News Today. 

I first came across broccoli when visiting the US. We liked it and since it is so good for health, I started using it in our Indian dishes. 

Elsewhere in this blog, you will find recipes for dishes made with broccoli such as:-

• Broccoli and Potato Stir Fry 
• Broccoli Garlic Stir Fry 
• Broccoli and Almond Soup 

Today's recipe is for Broccoli & Green Peas Kurma - a yummy dish which goes great with chapatis and rotis. 

Ingredients:-

• Broccoli, medium sized, 1 
• Green Peas, 1/2 cup 
• Mustard Seeds, 1/2 tsp
• Curry Leaves, a few
• Large sized Onion, 1
• Tomatoes, 2
• Chilli Powder, 1/2  tsp 
• Turmeric Powder, 1/4 tsp
• Salt, to taste
• Oil, 1 tbsp
• Fresh Coriander Leaves, finely chopped, 1 tbsp, for garnish

For the Kurma Masala: 

• Fresh Coconut Gratings, 3/4 cup
• Green Chillies, 3
• Ginger, 1/2 " piece
• Garlic Cloves, 3-4 
• Fried Gram, 1 tbsp
• Poppy Seeds, 1 tsp
• Cinnamon, 1 small stick
• Fennel Seeds, 1/2 tsp

Method:-

Wash the broccoli and break them into florets, cut the tender parts of the stalk and discard the rest

Steam cook the broccoli florets for about 5 minutes- this helps in the broccoli retaining its nutrients and colour

Separately, cook the tender stalks of the broccoli

Wash and cook the green peas 

Finely chop the onion, tomatoes and coriander leaves

In a mixer jar, grind together the coconut gratings, green chillies, ginger, garlic cloves, fried gram, poppy seeds, cinnamon and fennel seeds to a smooth paste adding the required amount of water

Remove from the mixer jar and keep the ground paste aside

Heat oil in a thick bottomed kadhai and on medium heat add the mustard seeds, when they splutter add the curry leaves and sauté for a few seconds

Then add the chopped onion and sauté till it becomes translucent

Next add the chopped tomatoes and a little salt

Mix well and cook till the tomatoes becomes soft and mushy

Add the chilli powder and turmeric powder, mix well and cook for 1 minute

To this add the cooked green peas and the cooked stalks of the broccolli

Next add the freshly ground masala 

Add water to get a gravy-like consistency, 

Add salt to taste and and mix well

Bring this to a boil then add the steamed broccoli florets 

Lower the heat and allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes

Switch off the gas and garnish with finely chopped fresh coriander leaves 

Transfer to serving bowl

Serve the Broccoli & Green Peas Kurma with chapatis, rotis etc