- 1
Chop 200 gms of vegetables of your choice into even small pieces to start your recipe of mixed vegetable.
- 2
Variations will include carrots, beans, cauliflower, peas, and capsicum, adding different textures, flavours and nutritional value to the final product.
- 3
Carrots add sweetness and crunch, beans a crisp bite, cauliflower absorbs the spices well, peas burst sweetness, and capsicum adds a mildly tangy flavour.
- 4
Chop all the vegetables and put them aside to add later in the recipe. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium heat.
- 5
Add one teaspoon of cumin seeds to this oil.
- 6
Let the cumin seeds crackle for a few seconds in the oil and thereby release their earthy aroma that infuses the oil with flavour.
- 7
Cumin seeds often form part of the tempering agent used in Indian cooking, thus giving a warm, nutty undertone to the dish being cooked.
- 8
Once the cumin seeds have crackled, add one finely chopped onion to the pan.
- 9
The onion needs to be saut ed until it is golden. That will take about 3-4 minutes and infuse sweetness into the onions, setting a rich base for our dish.
- 10
Stir the onions occasionally to cook them evenly so that they do not burn.
- 11
Now, once the onions have turned golden, 1 Tsp of ginger-garlic paste must be added.
- 12
Saut the paste for one minute so that the raw flavours of the ginger and garlic are evaporated.
- 13
Ginger and garlic are strong flavouring agents; this brief cooking elevates their aroma and combines them perfectly in the dish. Add one chopped tomato to the pan.
- 14
Stir this tomato mixture with the onion mixture and cook until it softens and begins breaking down.
- 15
The acidity and sweetness of the tomato then balance well with the richness of other ingredients.
- 16
Continue cooking the tomato until it becomes soft and mingles well into the onions, leaving you with a rich, flavourful base. It is now time to add spices.
- 17
To that pan, add 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, one teaspoon of red chilli powder, one teaspoon of coriander powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of garam masala.
- 18
These spices will be the highlight. The turmeric will add earthiness to the dish; the chilli powder will add spiciness; the coriander powder will give it a refreshing depth, and the garam masala will provide it with warmth and complexity.
- 19
Now mix well-cook them for about 2 minutes till the flavours release in the onion-tomato mixture. When the spices become one with the paste, it is time to add the chopped vegetables.
- 20
Add the vegetables to the masala, ensuring that they are well coated with the spices.
- 21
Continue cooking the vegetables for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, so it is well cooked through.
- 22
At this stage, the vegetables will start to absorb the spice flavours and will infuse with flavours. After 5 minutes, add in 1/2 cup of water.
- 23
The water gives it a saucy texture, which will help ensure the vegetables cook correctly so that they don't stick to the bottom of the pan.
- 24
Season with salt to taste then put a lid on the pan over low heat and cook it for 10 to 15 minutes. Stir the veggies often enough to keep them from burning or sticking.
- 25
Remove the lid after the vegetables are tender and soft.
- 26
Season to taste.
- 27
Garnish with fresh coriander leaves that bring bursts of freshness and colour.
- 28
Serve hot with roti chapati or steamed rice for a wholesome and healthy meal. This is one of the simplest yet most delicious mixed vegetable recipe, full of flavour and nutrients, accompanying any Indian meal.