Gingergirl: Spicy vegetable madras

Hello and welcome to all about food. If you are keen to increase your veggie intake, look no further! I try to eat meat free dinners a few evenings a week, mainly for nutritional reasons. I am a complete carnivore so I do like to ensure I keep my meat free meals tasty and satisfying, that way no one really misses the meat!
One way to make vegetables a little more interesting is to add a little spice. The paste of chilli, ginger and garlic is something of an old reliable and is one that I use as a base for many spice dishes.
Finally, it is important not overcook the cauliflower; soggy vegetable curry will never leave you wanting more!

Vegetable Madras
Sunflower oil
1 onion, roughly diced
1 red chilli (remove seeds if you don’t want the curry too hot)
2 thumb sized pieces of ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
4 cloves of peeled garlic
1 tablespoon of madras curry
1 teaspoon of turmeric
1 teaspoon of black onion seeds
200g frozen peas
4 tablespoons of ground almonds
1 sweet potato, peeled and diced into 2cm
A handful of sultanas
½ a cauliflower head, broken into florets
1 x 400ml tin of coconut milk
Handful of fresh coriander, roughly chopped

* In a large saucepan, heat two tablespoons of sunflower oil and gently fry the onion for 10-15 minutes.

* Using a stick blender or processor blitz the chilli, garlic and ginger to a paste. Stir the paste into the onions along with the turmeric, onions seeds, and curry powder.* Cook for 5 minutes then add the sweet potato, almonds and season with a generous pinch of salt. Mix well so that everything is coated.
* Turn the heat up to medium and add 500ml of water and the sultanas. Allow to simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
* Add the cauliflower florets, the peas and the coconut milk and simmer for a further 15 to 20 minutes with the lid on.
* Check that the potato and cauliflower are tender then turn off the heat. Stir in the coriander, check the seasoning and serve. I like to serve the curry with some rice, naan bread and some natural yoghurt.

CONTACT GINGERGIRL
www.gingergirl.ie
email: helen@gingergirl.ie
Gingergirl aka Helen Keown is an artisan food producer who produces a range of handmade luxury jams, preserves and chutneys made from local, seasonal or organic ingredients. Helen’s produce is available nationwide from independent food emporiums and is also available at selected food delis across Europe.
Letters to ‘gingergirl’ c/o The Tipperary Star, Friar Street, Thurles, Co Tipperary.
You can follow gingergirl’s on Twitter – under gingergirlfood or on Facebook – under ‘gingergirl’.

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