Monday, February 4, 2013

Cauliflower and Orange subzi with California Zante currants. {Indian vegetable stir fry with fresh fruit addition.}

Today afternoon I made this simple Phool Gobi subzi. I wanted to finish off  2 cups cauliflower florets laying in my fridge and  one California orange that was sitting in  a fruit basket. I paired cauliflower and orange, tossed in few California Zante currants and made this sweet, sour and slight bitter tasting subzi. Addition of oranges  created thick  gravy that nicely coated cauliflower florets. I ate it with Flax-Ragi-Teff  enriched white whole wheat flour rotis.


Cauliflower, Orange stir fry with Zante currants.

Ingredients :
  • 2 cups - cauliflower florets 1-inch size
  • 1 large orange - cut each segment into 3-4 pieces
  • 1 medium size onion - sliced length wise (1 cup heaped yield)
  • 1-2 green chilies - finely chopped
  • 2 Tb.spoon - heaped blackcurrants (I used  Sun-Maid brand California Zante Currents)
  • 1/4 T.spoon - Turmeric
  • 1 T.spoon  - honey or brown sugar
  • 1 Tb.spoon  - oil
  • 1/2 Cup - chopped cilantro for garnish.
Method of preparing Phool Gobi, Orange subzi :
  1. Finely slice onion lengthwise. Peel orange, remove white pith as much as you can, separate each orange segment and cut each into 3-4 pieces. Finely chop chiles. Keep all aside.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a medium size saute pan. Add chopped onions, saute over medium heat for 6-7 minutes, stirring often. Once onions are tender and translucent add chopped chilies, turmeric and half quantity of blackcurrants i.e 1 tbsp. Increase heat to high, stir and saute for one minute, in the process let few onions and blackcurrants get caramelized.
  3. Now add 2 cups cauliflower florets, salt - mix all well, add half cup of water. Cook  covered for 4-5 minutes over medium heat.
  4. Add sliced oranges, mix well. Add 1/4 cup water, continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes without lid. 
  5. Finally add remaining 1 tbsp blackcurrants, 1 tsp honey or brown sugar. Mix well,  adjust salt level. Cook until water evaporates, cauliflower florets get tender, oranges get softened and create dry gravy coating around cauliflower florets. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro. (I was out of stock so no garnish is seen in the image.)

How I made rotis shown in the image :
These rotis are made with American white whole wheat flour. I have added 1 tbsp flax seed meal, 2 tbsp ragi flour, 2 tbsp teff flour per one cup of wheat flour. Generally I use just whole wheat flour not the white one. This is first time I used Kroger brand white whole wheat flour. It has good easy rolling texture, fresh wheat aroma, rotis were soft and puffed well.

Tips for more enhancement to the subzi : Add grated ginger, little dash of garam masala powder and Kasuri Methi. Add 3/4 cup more sliced oranges after you are half way through 4th step of cooking, these oranges will hold its shape and that will bring more appeal. In my subzi orange pieces  are not visible, they got cooked and created dry gravy. Blackcurrants can be replaced with sweetened cranberries and raisins. Adding 1/4 cup whipping cream, green peas, carrot dices will turn this subzi into rich Cauliflower Korma . Lastly oranges can be replaced with many other fruits of your choice.


Cauliflower and Orange Stir fry

8 comments:

sm said...

cauliflower with orange subzi interesting dish orange subzi never eaten

Usha said...

sm, use of fresh orange in subzi is quite rare..only Indian classic vegetable dish "Navratan Kurma" uses few fresh fruits. If you like sweet and sour taste in subzi, do try adding orange in your next subzi preparation.

Thanks for stopping by.

sm said...

Navratan Kurma is tasty dish

Usha said...

sm, I have not eaten Navratan Kurma since several years...Now that goes on my cooking list. :)

Sona - Quick Picks said...

cauliflower and orange combo..wow! never tried that. dish looks lovley.

Usha said...

Sona, Thanks for stopping by. It is unusual combo and tasted good enough to try another variation with oranges in subzi.

Hari Chandana said...

Very interesting recipe.. First time here.. Happy to follow your blog :)

Usha said...

Hari Chandana, Welcome to my blog, Thanks for following my blog. Your name is familiar, I am sure I have passed through your blog. I will make a note now, it will be pleasure to get connected with you. Thanks.