When you think of ways to cook cauliflower, soup, salad, or roasted veggies, come to mind? Well, the recipe I am sharing today will change your perception of this nutritious low-cal vegetable. The big white fluffy looking vegetable is exceptionally healthy and is popularly used in Indian cuisine in stir fries, curries, and as stuffing for flatbread.
So, tell me, are you a fan of Indian curries? If so, you are in for a treat. This is my old 2013 post I re posted to include video on YouTube.
This is one of those recipes which my carb conscious girl friends would especially love. Low carb cauliflower chunks are cooked in a thick yummy sauce with boosted with almond flour, yogurt, and Indian spices, and served over nutty tri color quinoa, with fresh pomegranate arils. I know it may sound a bit odd. But believe me it tastes beyond delicious, adding a little crunch, pop of color and refreshing seasonal element to the meal.
I make this dish over and over with minor changes and, each time it brings out the flavors in a different way. Although the elements used in this curry can elevate any dish to utmost flavor, the secret of great tasting cauliflower lies in proper cooking. It should not be overcooked or taste raw. For that reason, you need to do the fork test towards the end of cooking to ensure it has the right firmness for you.
The dish comes together very quickly, and you will have the dinner on the table in about 30 minutes. If you don’t already have cooked quinoa on hand, cook cauliflower and quinoa simultaneously. You will find this post helpful if you are just learning how to cook quinoa. I thoroughly enjoy eating my vegetables and curries with quinoa. It is very good for people with diabetes and those on a low carb diet because of its low glycemic index.
If you try this recipe, then don’t forget to leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots of it, share it with me on Instagram or Facebook so I can repost it in my stories!
A delicious recipe of curried cauliflower and multi colored quinoa. Pom seeds add a pop of color and sweetness to the whole bowl.
Ingredients
- 1 cup tri color quinoa
- 1 small head cauliflower, washed, cored and separated into equal size florets (8 cups)
- 3-4 kale leaves, (1 cup) chopped
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 tbsp ginger and garlic paste
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 cup thick yogurt (vegans can replace with thick coconut milk)
- 1/4 cup almond flour or cashew powder (add more if you need to thicken)
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tsp garam masala (optional)
- salt to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/3 cup dark raisins
- 1 cup water
- fresh pomegranate seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Cook quinoa with 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp black pepper and 1 tbsp lemon juice, following the recipe instructions here.
- To make curried cauliflower, heat olive oil in a skillet.
- Add chopped onions stirring occasionally, until it's lightly browned.
- Add ginger and garlic paste and cook for a couple of minutes.
- Next add tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chili powder and salt. Cook until tomatoes soften.
- Combine thick yogurt with cashew powder (start with 2 tbsp at first) and 1/4 cup water in a bowl. Mix.
- Dump the mixture into onions and tomato masala. Let cook stirring until the masala glistens.
- Add kale, cauliflower, raisins, and the remaining 3/4 cup water.
- Cover the skillet loosely and cook on medium for 6-7 minutes or until cauliflower florets are tender.
- Stir in garam masala and taste. Add more salt, water, cashew powder and spice if needed. (cook for 2-3 minutes if you add cashew powder).
- Transfer in a serving dish.
- To assemble, divide quinoa in 3-4 plates, spoon a ladle full of curried cauliflower and finish with pomegranate seeds.
Linked this recipe to CookblogShare at Everyday Healthy Recipes.
Bringing this Curried Cauliflower Angie’s Linky Party Fiesta Friday.
yummychunklet
Great looking topping for quinoa.
Nava Krishnan
Quinoa? Something I have never ever cooked before. Caulis -yes, like you said, tried in many different dishes including curries. Ok, omitting quino and the pomegranate but the curry will be replicated. Love the flavors inside.
Balvinder
Thank you Nava, when pomegranate is not available I have substituted it with grapes or large raisins. They might unusual but I tel you that takes the whole dish to new level. Something sweet, tart and spicy!
Sugar et al
Curried Cauliflower is absolutely wonderful. Never tried it with quinoa but I am tempted. The pomegranate I think is the star of the dish..it takes the dish to a different level. Unique recipe!
Balvinder
Sonali dear, cauliflower tastes best with quinoa or chapatti. I tried with rice it was no good. You are absolutely right pomegranate in this dish takes it to utmost level. The recipe is unique and beyond words delicious! You have to take my word.
Monica
The cauliflower and carrots & peas are among my favorites at Indian buffets (along with the goat, chicken tikka, naan, etc). : ) Your combination looks great – I love quinoa but never tried the tri color.
Balvinder
Thank you Monica but you won’t find this version of cauliflower in Indian restaurants. They only make it dry ( as most of us cook at home) or mix with other vegetables for a semi dry dish.
Coffee and Crumpets
I love cauliflower in all form and fashion! Love the ground cashews in this recipe and the tri colour quinoa. I also love your blue plates 🙂
Balvinder
Thank you so much dear Nazneen for loving everything.
Shirley Tay (Blackswan)
Hey dear, you seem to like playing with Quinoa dishes. To tell the truth, I haven’t tried any. Certainly look fwd to tasting some since I’ve heard you talked so much about Quinoa.
easyfoodsmith
Delicious & wholesome meal Balvinder.
Kitchen Belleicious
love using quinoa is new and different ways and the ground cashews is just genius
anne
Bal , cashew powder ? Have you tried it in your baking ? Well , I sometimes use cauliflower for my stir fries 😀 The idea of using it in a very tasty curry sounds wonderful ! I haven’t tried quinoa yet but from the look of your dish , it must be very good !
Balvinder
Never thought of using cashew powder in baking though I use other nuts such as, walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds.
Katerina
This is such a great idea! Cauliflower aromatized with curry on a bed of quinoa! I love the idea!
Jennifer Eloff
Love quinoa and your recipe sounds delicious. Why is quinoa so expensive, I wonder?
Vicki Bensinger
Wow I’ve never seen cauliflower made this way. Not only is it beautiful but sounds incredibly tasty. I will have to try this.
By the way the question you asked on my cookie swap post was one I asked as well after the fact. I left you my detailed response, I hope you’ll go back and read it.
Balvinder
Thank you Vicki, your opinion always matters.
ela@GrayApron
I bet that cauliflower tastes fantastic…which is not easy to do! Very appetizing dish! 🙂 ela
Bam's Kitchen
Tri colored quinoa? Cool. I have not seen that here in HK yet. This dish sounds amazingly comforting. Wishing you a super weekend. BAM
Amelia
Hi Balvinder, I haven’t try quinoa but your this curry dish look very delightful and appetizing. 🙂
Have a wonderful Sunday.
Nami | Just One Cookbook
So happy to see a cauliflower recipe! I love it and use it in my cooking a lot. This curried cauliflower quinoa sounds like something we’d enjoy!
Maria
Growing up cauliflower was not very high on my list of favourite foods but quite recently I’m becoming very fond of this healthy and delicious vegetable. This recipe sounds like a real party in the mouth.
Balvinder
Thank you so much Maria! I always loved cauliflower but started making it in curry form only recently and I typically serve it with quinoa. With all that raisins, pomegranate, kale in the curry it’s indeed a texture and flavor party in the mouth. 🙂
Lesley
I do love an Indian curry, particularly if it includes cauliflower which I just adore. I’m definitely going to try this recipe out. Thank you for sharing to #CookBlogShare
Monika Dabrowski
Sounds super delicious, and I really like that you used tri coloured quinoa in this recipe, not just plain white. Thank you for bringing your lovely recipe to #CookBlogShare!
marcela
It looks so so so yummy!….I will try to make it…to be honest, I love to eat cauliflower just steamed with salt and olive oil…..I always end up eating this way that I never end up making a dish, but cauliflower Indian style (like aloo gobi) for sure I will make it!…..Abrazotes, Marcela
2pots2cook
We both love humble cauliflower and are always delighted to find a new way of using it. Thank you Balvinder!
Judee
Such a beautiful presentation of this colorful healthy recipe. I love learning more about using all kinds of spices in recipes The garam masala sounds delicious. I bought some and keep it in the freezer because I hardly use it.