Best Julie Sahnis Indian Chickpea Ragout With Vegetables Recipes

CHICK PEA RAGOUT WITH GLAZED VEGETABLES 'CHANA MASALA'

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine chick peas, tomatoes and tomato paste. Set aside. In a large pan heat the oil over moderately-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, cumin and coriander. Cook, stirring often, until the onions turn light brown, about 8 minutes. Add zucchini, bell peppers and salt and black pepper to taste. Pan roast the vegetables, stirring regularly, for 5 minutes.
• Add chick pea-tomato mixture to the onion mixture. Add water and bring contents to a boil. Lower heat and simmer, covered, for 5 minutes, or until the flavors are blended and the sauce is very thick. Serve ragout topped with yogurt.
• For the topping: Combine yogurt, cucumber, scallion, coriander and hot green chilies.

LENTIL AND VEGETABLE RAGOUT (KORMA)

Steps:

• Put the lentils and turmeric in a deep pot. Add 3 cups of water and bring to a boil. Cook lentils, gently simmering, partially covered, until cooked but still hold their shape, about 30 minutes. Stir a few times during cooking to ensure the lentils are not sticking to the pan and burning. Add more water if necessary. Add squash, tomatoes, onions and curry powder and mix well. Cook for 10 minutes or until the vegetables and lentils are tender. Stir in the nuts and salt; cover and set aside. Heat the ghee or oil in a small frying pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add cumin and cook until the spice turns several shades darker. Add asafetida and crushed pepper. Let spices sizzle for a minute then put the entire contents of the pan over the lentil-vegetable mixture. Add coriander and stir just a few times to mix lightly. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve with deep fried balloon bread.
• Heat stick of butter in a small saucepan over low-heat until fully melted, 5 minutes. Increase heat and cook the butter until all its moisture evaporates and the milk solids turn brown, and the clear fat will turn golden amber, about 5 minutes. Strain the clear fat usli ghee into a jar.

INDIAN CHICKPEA RAGOUT WITH VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Combine the cilantro, cucumber, red onion and yogurt and mix well; place in serving bowl and refrigerate until needed.
• In a large sauté pan, heat the oil over medium high heat, and add the cumin, fennel, pepper flakes, coriander and onion and sauté until the onions are lightly browned, about 8 minutes.
• Add ginger, zucchini and bell pepper and mix well.
• Pour 1/3 cup of water over the vegetables, cover and reduce heat to low and simmer about five minutes.
• Fold in the chickpeas and the tomatoes and increase heat to medium high and cook uncovered until the ragout is heated through and the sauce is thick, about five minutes.
• Season with salt to taste and generous sprinkle of freshly ground pepper.
• Serve ragout garnished with the cilantro yogurt mixture.

INDIAN CHEESE AND RED PEPPERS IN FRAGRANT SPINACH SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Lay the paneer, farmer's cheese, or tofu pieces in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with paper towels and let dry for 10 minutes (this will enable them to hold their shape better during cooking).
• 2. Puree the spinach and green pepper together in a food processor or blender. The puree should be as fine and velvety as you can make it.
• 3. Heat 4 tablespoons of the oil in a large, heavy, nonstick pan over medium heat. Dust the paneer pieces lightly with flour and add them to the pan. Fry them in batches, turning and tossing them until they turn light golden (about 2 or 3 minutes per batch). Watch carefully to ensure that they do not burn. Take them out and put on a dish and set aside.
• 4. Add 2 more tablespoons of oil to the same pan, along with the onion. Fry the onion, stirring constantly, until brown (about 20 minutes). Add the ginger and fry for an additional 2 minutes. Add the turneric and green chilies, stir for a few seconds, then add the spinach puree along with 1/2 cup water, salt, and sweet red peppers. Mix well and bring to a boil. Lower heat and cook, covered, for 2 minutes. Add the fried paneer pieces, mix again thoroughly, and continue cooking for 2 more minutes. Stir in the garam masala.
• When ready to serve, heat thoroughly and, if desired, fold in the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to glaze and mellow the sauce.

INDIAN SPICED CAULIFLOWER, POTATOES AND PEAS (GOBHI MATAR RASEDA

Steps:

• Cut cauliflower into florets, approximately 1 1/2". Peel potato and cut into about 3/4" dice. Measure out the cumin powder, coriander, turmeric and cayenne into a small bowl and have it ready next to the stove.
• Heat oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the cumin seeds and stir-fry for 20-30 seconds, until they brown.
• Add bowl of spices and stir-fry for a few seconds to mix them in with the oil, then add in the cauliflower and potatoes. Stir the vegetables around for 5-8 minutes, until they are thoroughly coated with the seasonings and starting to sear a bit.
• Add the tomatoes and stiry-fry another 3 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken.
• Add salt and boiling water, stir a few times and then cover the skillet.
• Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender - about 15-25min.
• When tender, uncover and add the frozen peas. Stir in and simmer an additional 3 minutes.
• Turn off heat and serve sprinkled with chopped fresh cilantro.

JULIE SAHNI'S INDIAN CHICKPEA RAGOUT WITH VEGETABLES

Steps:

• In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cilantro, cucumber, red onion and yogurt. Mix well, transfer to a small serving bowl and refrigerate until needed.
• In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat, and add the cumin, fennel, pepper flakes, coriander and onions. Saute until the onions are lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Add ginger, zucchini and bell pepper, and mix well. Pour 1/3 cup water over the vegetables, cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until vegetables are cooked but still firm, about 5 minutes.
• Fold in the chickpeas and tomatoes. Increase heat to medium high, and cook uncovered until the ragout is heated through and the sauce is thick, about 5 minutes. Season with salt to taste, and a generous sprinkling of black pepper. Serve ragout garnished with the cilantro-yogurt mixture and accompanied by pita or nan bread.