Vegetable Tikka Masala

Vegetable Tikka Masala Recipe

Preparation Time:30 minutes

Cook Time: About 30 minutes

Serves: Four servings

Ingredients:

1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp ground coriander seed
2 tsp garam masala (see Note)
1/4 to 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (see Note)
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground turmeric
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 medium carrot, halved lengthwise and cut on the bias into 1/2-inch slices
1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbsp peeled, chopped fresh ginger
1 (400 mL) can coconut milk
1 cup tomato sauce
1 1/4 cups vegetable stock mixed with 2 tsp cornstarch
18 small (about 1 1/2- inch wide) cauliflower florets
10 baby red-skinned potatoes, quartered
3/4 cup frozen green peas
salt to taste
coarsely chopped fresh cilantro or mint, or sliced green onion, to tasteDirections:

Combine the first eight ingredients in a small bowl. Set this spice mixture aside for now.
Place the oil in a medium- to large-sized pot (mine was eight-inches wide) set over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, bell pepper, garlic and ginger and cook until softened, about five minutes. Mix in the spice mixture and cook one minute more.
Add the coconut milk, tomato sauce and vegetable stock/cornstarch mixture and stir well. Add cauliflower and potatoes (mixture will look thick, but will thin a bit as the vegetables cook).
Bring the vegetable tikka masala to a simmer, and then lower the heat to maintain that simmer (small bubbles should just break on the surface). Simmer, uncovered, until the potatoes and cauliflower are tender, about 15 minutes.
Add the frozen peas and simmer a few minutes more, until the peas are heated through. Taste and season the tikka masala with salt, as needed. Sprinkle servings of the tikka masala with coarsely chopped cilantro, mint or sliced green onion.

Note: Garam masala is an Indian-style spice blend sold at some supermarkets and specialty food stores, Indian food stores and Asian markets.
A 1/4 tsp of cayenne will make the tikka masala mildly spicy. 1/2 tsp of it will make the dish a medium spice level.