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Start by cleaning and slicing 250 gms of fresh mushrooms.
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Mushrooms tend to carry dirt or soil, so it would be best to clean them properly.
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Just gently wipe them with a moist cloth or simply run them under the faucet quickly to avoid keeping them too moist because mushrooms love to absorb water.
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Once cleaned, uniformly slice the mushrooms and put them aside.
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Mushrooms have a meaty texture to them and, when cooked and infused with spices, are well-suited to this curry.
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Add two tablespoons of oil to a large pan and heat to medium temperature.
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Add one teaspoon of cumin seeds. Splutter the cumin seeds.
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It releases its essential oils through the tempering process and gives a deep, earthy aroma.
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Cumin is used significantly in Indian cooking. Its addition brings out a nutty flavour and goes very well with mushrooms.
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Then add one chopped onion to the pan.
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Saute onions for several minutes, stirring often, until they turn golden brown.
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The difference here is in caramelising the onions because it is what will form the base of your curry with a slightly sweet undertone that balances out the stronger spices.
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LPatiently cook over the onions to let them reach a rich, golden colour without burning.
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Once the onions turn golden brown, it's time to add 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste.
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Mix the paste with the onions and saut them for almost a minute. Ginger-garlic paste is one of the very essential constituents of the cooking process in India. It gives a pungent yet savoury flavour.
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The saut ing of the paste helps to remove raw flavour and amplify the scent so that it perfectly bonds with the onions.
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Add 2 finely chopped tomatoes to the pan.
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Stir them into the onion and ginger-garlic mixture, and cook till the tomatoes soften and turn mushy. That should be about 4-5 minutes.
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The tomatoes break down to form a rich base of the curry. As you cook, tomatoes will release juices.
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That way, it helps to deglaze the pan, and all flavours from onions and ginger-garlic paste come into place.
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Once the tomatoes are soft, it's time to add the spices. So, add a total of 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, one teaspoon of red chilli powder, one teaspoon of coriander powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of garam masala.
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Mix all these spices into the tomato and onion mixture and then cook for around 2-3 minutes so that the spices get toasted and flavours can be released.
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Turmeric is added to the dish for colour while adding red chilli powder gives spice heat.
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Coriander powder adds a citrus freshness, and garam masala contributes warmth and depth as a result of the combination of spices.
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Once the spices are well combined, add the sliced mushrooms to the pan and mix them with the spiced tomato-onion mixture so that the mushrooms get nicely coated with spices.
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Saut the mushrooms for 5-7 minutes. In the meantime, as the mushrooms cook, they will be letting out their moisture, which helps them absorb all the flavours of spices.
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Also, stir occasionally so that the mushrooms don't stick and cook with both sides evenly.
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Once the mushrooms have softened up and all their moisture has evaporated, then you are ready for the next step.
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Add 1/2 cup of water to the pan. Adding moisture to the dish will help create a gravy for the curry.
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Season with salt to taste and mix everything.
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Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer for 10-12 minutes.
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That is enough time for the flavours to deepen and the gravy from the curry to thicken.
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Don't let that continue indefinitely, however; stir occasionally so that mushrooms and spices are spread throughout, and nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pan.
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At this point, the curry should thicken nicely. Introduce ¼ cup of fresh cream, and mix it well to balance out the richness the gravy has loaded into it-making it more indulgent.
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Mix it well and cook for 2-3 minutes more, balancing the spices with the silky finish it gives to the curry.
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Season with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
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This spice adds its bright, fresh herbal note to the dish.
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Serve Mushroom Masala hot with roti, naan, or steamed rice. And there you go!
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This earthy mushroom curry with creamy gravy and aromatic spices is a satisfying option for any meal.