Vegetable Curry with Potato, Pumpkin, Carrot and Peas

You can vary the vegetables in this curry dish.

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 large brown onion, finely chopped

1/2 inch fresh ginger, finely chopped

1 or 2 red chillies, finely chopped

1 teaspoon turmeric

2 medium potatoes, cut into small uniform-sized cubes

2 large carrots, cut into small pieces

1 medium size wedge of pumpkin or 1 butternut pumpkin, cut into small uniform-sized cubes
1/2 to 1 cup peas

1 teaspoon salt

1 to 2 teaspoons garam masala

Heat oil over medium heat.  Add onions, chillies and ginger.  Stir and fry 5 to 10 minutes until onions are softened.

Add the turmeric and salt.  Mix well.

Add the potatoes, pumpkin and carrots. Mix well and cover.  Simmer over medium heat until vegetables are just tender. 

Add the salt and garam masala to the vegetables.  Mix well.  cook for 1 or 2 minutes.  

Serves 4 to 6.

Dhal

Nutritious and inexpensive, Dhal is a marvellous accompaniment to meat and / or vegetable curries. 

 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

250 g (8 oz) red lentils

1 or 2 red chillies, finely chopped

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon turmeric

4 1/2 cups boiling water

3 tomatoes, quartered

2 onions, finely chopped

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely chopped

Put lentils, chilli and salt into a saucepan with boiling water, and cook until tender.  Puree lentils in a blender or food processor or push through a sieve.  Fry tomatoes and onions in oil until golden.  Add to lentils with ginger and cook for 5 minutes.  The Dhal should have a thick consistency.  Serves 4 to 6.

Kofta Curry

A Kofta Curry is an Indian Meatball Curry.   One of my favourite Indian dishes, it is pictured below with some Vegetable Curry.

Meatballs

500g (1 lb) of finely minced beef

1 onion, finely chopped

1 or 2 red chillies, seeded and chopped

2 tablespoons of fresh coriander leaves

1 or 2 cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon garam masala

1 teaspoon chilli powder

flour

oil for frying

Sauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 large onion, finely chopped

1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger

1 teaspoon turmeric

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoon garam masala

1/4 teaspoon chilli powder

2 large tomatoes, chopped

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 cup water

Meatballs

Mix beef with onion, chillies, coriander, garlic, salt, garam masala and chilli powder.  Mix together until stiff and smooth( you can use a food processor).  Roll into medium size balls and dust lightly with flour.  Fry in shallow oil until golden on all sides. Set aside to drain.

Sauce

Fry the onion and ginger in oil until soft.  Add turmeric, salt, garam masala and chilli powder and stir for a minute, then add tomatoes.  Cook while stirring for a minute.  Stir in lemon juice and water.  Add meatballs and stir to coat with sauce.  Cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until sauce is thick.  Serves 4.