Have you heard about or watched the movie “Bend it Like Beckham”? It is a British-Indian comedy set in London and is about a Punjabi family whose daughter wants to play soccer, but the family does not approve of it. It is a great movie and if you have not watched it, try to find it and watch it. You will not be disappointed. Anywho, what does “Bend it like Beckham” has to do with this post, you ask? You see, the girl’s (Jess, I think is her name in the movie) mom does not want her to play soccer but insists that she should learn to cook and do some other household chores. The mom mentions to Jess that she should at least learn to make Aloo Gobhi, indicating that this dish is the ultimate representation of Punjabiism. If you do not cook Aloo Gobhi, you are not Punjabi enough, or something on similar lines.
Since moving to the States, I have not been a big fan of cooking Aloo Gobhi the traditional way. In my observation, the Gobhi (cauliflower) that we grow or get here at the grocery stores has a high water content in it, which causes the cauliflower to get very mushy in the time the potatoes are cooked. Therefore, over time, and after trying many different permutations and combinations of cooking times and methods, I have found that the recipe that I share today is my favorite way to cook and eat Aloo Gobhi. The flavor profile is the same, texture is much better since both the Gobhi and Aloo hold their form, and the extras that I add are major upgrades to the basic recipe. I hope you will try this one and if you do, let me know via the World Wide Web (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or by simply leaving a comment below).
Ingredients:
Potatoes – 3, medium, cut into cubes
Cauliflower – 1, medium, cut into florets
Olive oil – 2 tablespoon (divided)
Salt – 1 teaspoon
Turmeric powder – ⅛ teaspoon + ¼ teaspoon (divided)
Onion – 1 medium, sliced
Red bell pepper – 1, cut into 4ths and then sliced
Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
Green chili – 1, chopped
Ginger – 1 inch piece, grated
Cumin seeds – ½ teaspoon
Fennel seeds – ½ teaspoon
Red chili powder – ¼ teaspoon (optional)
Coriander powder – 3 teaspoon
Garam masala – ¼ teaspoon
Lime juice – from half a lime
Cilantro – 4-5 sprigs, tough stems removed and chopped
Method:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F or 220 degrees C. Line a big cookie sheet with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, add the potatoes and cauliflower. Mix in 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon (just over a pinch) turmeric powder, stir well. Lay the cauliflower and potatoes in a single layer on the cookie sheet and roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes, shaking the cookie sheet once at about 10 minute mark.
While the vegetables are roasting, set a heavy bottomed skillet or kadaahi on medium high heat. Add remaining 1-tablespoon oil and let the oil heat up. Once the oil is shimmering, add the cumin and fennel seeds and wait for them to slightly splutter. Then add in garlic and green chili (if using), followed by sliced onions. Lower the heat to medium, cook for a minute or two, and then add ginger and cook for another minute or until the raw smell of ginger goes away. Then add remaining ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder, red chilli powder and coriander powder, mix and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add in the sliced bell pepper and let the masala cook for 5- 6 minutes or till the red bell peppers are slightly cooked but have not completely lost their crunch. Turn the heat to low.
Once the potatoes and cauliflower are roasted (check a potato with a fork), take them out of the oven and mix in with the masala of onions and bell peppers. Add salt, garam masala and lime juice. Let everything mingle, check and adjust seasonings and sprinkle cilantro. Serve hot with chapathi/roti (recipe here).
Love – Vaishali.
Notes:
I always recommend fresh ground coriander powder. You do not have to grind it fresh every time you cook anything, but grind a small batch and once done, grind another one. Find more details here in my Indian Spices 101 post.
The cauliflower and potatoes, once roasted, should have some light brown spots on them. That is where the flavor lies.
Do not cover the pan while cooking.
You can also use ½ red and ½ green bell pepper. Or not use any. Your call!
Tools used:
Oven
Heavy bottomed skillet/kadaahi
Spatula
imtesal
it looks yummy
Heddy Siddle
Now I am hungry, and I want to watch a movie!
Vaishali
🙂 <3
Jen @ Jenron Designs
I have been trying to find more way to add cauliflower into our meal plans. I have noticed that Indian cuisine tend to use cauliflower a lot of their recipes. It pairs so brillantly with the traditional spices , so this recipe is perfect! Thank you!
Vaishali
It does Jen. Thanks!!
Angela Hoyos
I am obsessed with cauliflower, I make a delicious cauliflower and potato curry; stew that I eat over veggies or chicken or brown rice. I've never made something like this before but I am definitely going to try it since I love spices so much. Thank you for sharing.
Vaishali
Thanks Angela. I am sure this will along the same flavor profile but a different texture since this is a dry, roasted preparation.
Sarah Fatima
Very different recipe. I always cook cauliflower on the stove but never bake it in the oven. I think seasoning make this Aloo Gobhi recipe a totally different taste. 🙂 sound delicious.. !
Charlotte Jessop
An excellent recipe! And it looks like one I actually understand and feel like I could make myself. Aloo ghobi is a favourite in our house, plus both potatoes and cauliflower are cheap so it's a double win for me!
Nicole
Thanks for sharing your recipe. Indian food is some of my favourites - but oftentimes the recipes seem complicated for someone who wasn't raised cooking them - this one seems so straightforward. There are a lot of steps to the spices, but nothing that is scary for those of us who aren't quite so adept in the kitchen. As soon as the summer heat abates, I'm going to give this a try.