Cauliflower peas kheema
Grated cauliflower and peas cooked like a spicy mince
Cauliflower grated into small crumbs and cooked until tender, then mixed with peas and a smooth, spicy onion-tomato paste flavoured with cardamom, black pepper and cumin. The texture is just like a kheema (mince) but completely vegetarian. Serve hot with parathas.
- Total time
- 65 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ lb cauliflowercoarsely grated
- 1 tbsp white vinegar (optional)for cleaning the cauliflower
- 5 ½ oz shelled peas1 cup, boiled
- 4 tomatoeslarge, blanched and pureed
- 4 onionsmedium, chopped
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- 8 tbsp oil
- 2 tsp saltor to taste
For the paste
- 2 tbsp chilli paste
- 2 tsp garlic paste
- 3 tsp ginger paste
- 4 green cardamom pods3–4
- 10 black peppercorns8–10
- 2 tsp cumin seeds
- 2 tbsp water
To garnish
- 3 tbsp fresh coriander (optional)chopped
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Method
0/8 doneStep 1: Before grating, soak the 2 ¼ lb cauliflower florets for about 15 minutes in water with 1 tbsp white vinegar to remove any dirt and insects. Rinse, pat dry and grate coarsely.
15 minStep 2: Blend 2 tbsp chilli paste, 2 tsp garlic paste, 3 tsp ginger paste, 4 green cardamom pods, 10 black peppercorns, 2 tsp cumin seeds and 2 tbsp water to a paste.
Step 4: Add the paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add 4 tomatoes, ¼ tsp ground turmeric and 2 tsp salt.
2 minStep 5: Cook for 5 minutes, then take off the heat, cool and liquidize to a smooth tomato-onion paste.
5 minStep 6: Heat 6 tbsp oil in a wide pan, add the grated cauliflower and cook on a medium heat, stirring often, until tender.
12 minStep 7: Add 5 ½ oz shelled peas and the tomato-onion paste and cook until the oil oozes out at the sides.
10 minStep 8: Garnish with 3 tbsp fresh coriander and serve hot with parathas.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 250 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 20 g
- Fat
- 18 g
- Fibre
- 7 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does cauliflower peas kheema take?
- About 65 minutes in total: 25 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Is it very spicy?
- It has some heat. Use less chilli for a milder version, or more if you like it hot.
- What can I use instead of cauliflower?
- Broccoli, same weight.
- What can I use instead of tomatoes?
- Tinned chopped tomatoes: a 400g tin for about 6 tomatoes (in cooked dishes, not salads).
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