Cauliflower And Potatoes With Black Mustard Seeds Recipes

SOUTHERN INDIAN STYLE CAULIFLOWER AND POTATO CURRY

Steps:

• In a large nonstick frying pan put the oil, mustard seeds, urad dal, cumin seeds and red chili pieces (add more or less depending on how spicy you want the curry). Heat over high heat until the mustard seeds have popped a bit and the urad dal is light brown.
• Reduce heat to medium and quickly stir in the turmeric, hing and curry leaves.
• Add the potatoes, cauliflower, salt and water. Stir to blend. (Make sure that the potatoes and cauliflower pieces aren't too small or they will overcook.).
• Cover and cook for 8 minutes. Remove cover and check to see if the vegetables are almost done. A lot of people like to add tomato to this curry and if so, you can add diced tomato here, but you won't be able to brown the potatoes and cauliflower if you do that, so it is up to your own taste whether or not to add this option.
• Turn heat to high for about 4 minutes. Evaporate any remaining liquid and lightly brown the potatoes and cauliflower, flipping them over occasionally with a spachula. By making sure that a few of the vegetables lightly brown, you will end up with a much more flavorful curry.
• Turn off heat and stir in the peas (optional). Check for salt. Garnish with cilantro.
• Optional: Add 1 teaspoons sambar powder to the curry the last couple of minutes. Variations: A.) Replace the cauliflower with fresh green beans and eliminate the peas; B.) Replace the cauliflower with 1/2 head of a large cabbage that you have finely diced (peas are good with this but optional). I sometimes reduce the dried red chili to one and add 1 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper--more of a style from the state of Kerala; C.) Make it a mixed vegetable curry adding to the potatoes 1 finely minced carrot, 2 cups fresh green beans, and using the peas; D.) Another mixed vegetable curry would reduce the potatoes to two, add the carrot, green beans, about six largish cauliflower florets, and the peas. I don't like to add peas too early to any recipe, as they become over cooked. Turn off the heat and stir in frozen peas at the end, and the heat will defrost the peas in just a few minutes.

CURRIED CAULIFLOWER AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel potatoes and cut into cubes, about 1 inch.
• Place potatoes in bowl of water until ready to use.
• Place mustard seeds in a saucepan over medium heat, and cook until they begin to pop (1-2 minutes) Add the oil, onion, garlic and ginger and cook until onions begin to soften.
• Next add the spices cook until their fragrance intensifies.
• Keep stirring.
• Drain potatoes and add to pan along with the cauliflower florets.
• Stir well to coat everything with the spices.
• Add the cup of water and cook covered until the potatoes are just about tender, about 15 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Next add the peas and cook uncovered until tender, and until most of the liquid is absorbed.
• (3-5 more minutes) Add chopped cilantro and serve.

CAULIFLOWER WITH BLACK MUSTARD SEEDS

Steps:

• Separate and cut the cauliflower into 1-inch florets. Set aside.
• Trim the scallions and chop them,including the entire green part. Set aside.
• Measure out the spices and place them,as well as the water, right next to the stove.
• Heat the oil in a wok or sauté pan over high heat. When the oil is hot, add the mustard, cumin, and fennel. Keep a pot lid handy since the seeds may splatter and splutter when added. When the seeds stop sputtering, add the turmeric and immediately add the cauliflower.
• Stir-fry the cauliflower until its evenly coated with spice-infused oil. Add the scallions, salt, and water; mix and cover with a lid. Cook over medium heat and toss a couple times until the cauliflower is soft, about 10 minutes. Uncover, fold in the coriander and continue stir-frying until excess moisture evaporates and the cauliflower looks glazed, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and serve.

CAULIFLOWER WITH GINGER AND MUSTARD SEEDS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat the oil over moderate heat until it is hot but not smoking; cook the mustard seeds, covered, stirring occasionally, until the popping subsides.
• Add the gingerroot and the turmeric and cook the mixture, stirring, for 30 seconds.
• Add the cauliflower, stirring to coat it with the oil, and 1/2 cup water and steam the mixture, covered, adding more water a few tablespoons at a time if it evaporates, until the cauliflower is just tender, about 6 to 10 minutes.
• Season the cauliflower mixture with the lemon juice, salt, and pepper and stir in the coriander, if using.
• Enjoy!

ROASTED WHOLE CAULIFLOWER WITH GARLIC & MUSTARD SEEDS

Steps:

• Trim cauliflower leaves and cut out about 1-1/2 inches of stem, making sure florets stay intact. Rinse and blot dry. Place in the center of a square sheet of foil on a baking sheet.
• Combine oil & garlic. Gently warm until fragrant, but do not let garlic turn brown. Strain oil thru fine sieve, pressing on garlic to get all oil. Discard garlic. Stir mustard seeds and pepper into oil.
• Spoon warm oil mixture as evenly as possible over cauliflower. Sprinkle evenly with salt. Crimp foil to hug base of cauliflower.
• Bake uncovered at 375 degress about 1-1/2 hours or until just tender (test with tip of sharp paring knife.
• Can be made a day ahead, refrigerated (wrap air-tight), brought to room temperature, and reheated in microwave.
• Place on a platter layered with kale leaves. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or chopped chives. Cut in eight wedges and serve hot, garnished with lemon wedges.