Cauliflower Bhaji Recipes

Steps:

• Prepare your cauliflower by separating them in to florets and soaking them in salt, turmeric powder and water for 1/2 an hour. Drain the water off before preparing batter.
• Prepare batter by mixing all the ingredients in (B). Make sure to break any lumps with fork or even better, your fingers (put on kitchen disposable gloves if you have sensitive skin. If your hand starts to 'burn', wash under running tap water immedietly, dry and apply oil to the affected area - grandma's tip)
• Dip each floret in the batter and deep fry till 'golden-brown' in colour. For you healthy ones out there, you can grill the veg. Dip in batter and place on baking tray and spray cooking oil on top, turn ar intervals, spraying oil on each turn. Grill for 15 minutes.
• Absorb excess oil on kitchen towel and serve hot to enjoy the crisp batter.
• The same recipe stands good for any veg of your choice. My other favourites include onion rings, potato, spinach, chilli ( yes, hot green chilli) capsicum, plaintain, the list goes on.

Steps:

• Heat vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir onions and cauliflower until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, coriander, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne pepper; stir to coat.
• Stir tomatoes and vegetable broth into cauliflower mixture; season with salt and black pepper. Bring mixture to a boil, cover, and reduce heat. Simmer until flavors have blended, about 8 minutes. Stir spinach into mixture until it begins to wilt. Cover and simmer until spinach is completely wilted and cauliflower is tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

Steps:

• Dry fry mustard and cumin seeds over medium heat in none stick pan or wok until they pop.
• Add the onions and garlic and 1/3 cup water until softened.
• Add the chili,turmeric, ground coriander, fennel, curry powder (or garam masala).
• Add the cauliflower and potatoes and 2/3 cup water.
• Cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
• Add yogurt.
• Reduce heat, partly cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
• Add peas and cook for 5 minutes Garnish with coriander leaves and serve.

Steps:

• Make the bhaji (vegetables): In a small pot, combine the cauliflower, peas, and 3 cups water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-high, cover, and cook until the cauliflower is soft and fork-tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Thoroughly drain, then return the vegetables to the pot and use a potato masher or fork to lightly mash them (they should still be chunky, just more incorporated). Set aside.
• Peel the potatoes, put them in a bowl, and use the potato masher or fork to mash them (don't worry if there are still a few small lumps). Set aside.
• In a medium pan over medium-high heat, warm the oil. Once the oil begins to shimmer, swirl in the turmeric. Add the coriander, red chile powder, and tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes have started to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, add 2 tablespoons water and the green chile, and simmer for about 4 minutes, using a spoon or spatula to mash the tomatoes into a chunky sauce as they cook.
• Add the mashed potatoes, the cauliflower-pea mixture, the salt, and 1/4 cup water. Increase the heat to medium-low and cook until the mixture starts to resemble a thick stew, 5 to 7 minutes. Add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if it's looking too dry. Taste and adjust the salt if needed. Stir in the cilantro, turn off the heat, and transfer the bhaji to a bowl. Wipe out the pan.
• Make the pav: Split each bun in half and butter each side. Warm the pan you used for the bhaji over high heat and toast the buns in the pan, buttered-side down, until golden brown, about 1 minute.
• Assemble the pav bhaji: Evenly portion the bhaji on each bun half (like an open-faced sandwich) and top each with a tablespoon of diced onion plus a generous squeeze of lime juice. Serve with remaining onion and lime wedges alongside.

Steps:

• Place the potatoes, cauliflower florets, carrot, and peas into a microwave-safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave on High until the vegetables are very hot and starting to soften, about 2 minutes. Remove the plastic wrap, and drain the vegetables in a colander.
• Place the vegetable oil in a large skillet, and heat over medium heat. Cook and stir the onion until it turns golden, about 10 minutes, and stir in the cumin seed, black mustard seed, and bay leaves. Cook and stir until the seeds begin to sputter, about 30 seconds, and then add the green chiles, garlic, and ginger. Cook and stir until the garlic begins to brown, about 1 minute.
• Stir in the ground cumin, curry powder, and chili powder, and then add the partially cooked potatoes, cauliflower, carrot, and peas. Cook and stir until the vegetables are tender and coated with spices, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro leaves.

Steps:

• To make the dressing, fry the onion in a small, non-stick pan with a splash of oil for 5 mins. Transfer to a bowl and add the rest of the dressing ingredients with a pinch of salt, and leave to macerate for 2 hrs.
• To make the bhaji, whisk the flour, egg and milk into a light batter. Add the onion, chilli and coriander with a pinch of salt and set aside for 30 mins.
• For the purée, melt the butter over a medium heat in a heavy-based saucepan. Add the onion, a generous pinch of salt and fry for 5 mins until soft and translucent. Add the curry powder and cook for another 5 mins, then stir in the cauliflower and cook for a few mins more. Pour in the cream, bring to the boil, then turn the heat right down. Cover with a lid and cook gently for 25-30 mins. Transfer to a blender and blend to a smooth purée. Check the seasoning.
• Half an hour before you want to serve, heat oven to 160C/140C fan/ gas 3. To fry the bhaji, heat enough oil to half-fill a large pan to 160C. Using a slotted metal spoon, lift the onion mix from the batter and let the excess liquid drain away. Lower into the oil and fry until the slices are crisp and golden. Drain on kitchen paper, then spread out on a baking tray and keep warm in the oven while you prepare the other elements.
• Wilt the spinach in a splash of olive oil, seasoning as you do so, and warm your purée through. Keep both on a low heat while you cook the cod.
• Put a non-stick ovenproof pan over a high heat. Season the top of the cod with salt. Add a splash of oil to the pan and put the seasoned side of the cod into the oil. Fry until golden brown, turn down the heat, turn the fish over and roast in the oven for 2-3 mins until just cooked.
• To serve, spoon some purée onto four heated plates. Put the spinach alongside and top with a piece of cod. Spoon a generous amount of the dressing onto the cod and garnish the fish with a bhaji.

Steps:

• Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets.
• Heat oil on medium high heat in a large pan or wok and add the cumin seeds.
• When they start to make a noise, add the asafoetida and stir for a few seconds.
• Add the chopped onions and saute till they turn clear.
• Put in the ginger and garlic pastes and fry till lightly golden.
• Add the chilli and turmeric powder and fry for a minute.
• Add the cauliflower, salt and tomatoes and mix well.
• Cover and cook till the cauliflower is done.
• Add the chopped coriander leaves and the garam masala and mix well.
• Taste and add salt if needed.
• Serve with freshly cooked rice.