Navrathan (9 Gems) Kurma
from Asha Kumar - Detroit, Michigan, USA

The name of the curry ' Navrathan' stands for 9 gems - that's 9 different vegetables are used to create a unique and outstanding curry.
This curry used to be served to Kings in the princely states of India, before Independence.
You can use any vegetables you best like, but I prefer it with the vegetables listed below.
This can be the main side-dish when you are giving a formal dinner for 5 - 6 people.
For garnishing, fried golden nuts are added on top along with chopped cilantro leaves.
This dish goes best with 'pooris' or deep-fried breads.

• The 9 vegetables:
  • 1 tomato -diced
  • 1 potato - diced
  • ½ cup green beans - cut into small pieces
  • ½ cup fresh peas
  • ½ cup fresh corn
  • 1 small onion - diced
  • 1 small beetroot - diced
  • ½ cup diced baby carrots
  • ½ cup diced cauliflower florets
• 2 tsp chilli powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garam masala powder
• ½ tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp coconut powder
• 2 cloves
• ½ tsp cinnamon powder
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• ¼ tsp asafoetida
• 3 tblsp olive oil
• 5 cashews
• 5 raisins
• cilantro leaves

Cook all the vegetables in a pressure cooker or on the stove, until they are tender and soft.

In a blender, put diced tomatoes, salt, chilli powder, garam masala, turmeric, cloves, cinnamon powder and coconut and blend well.

Keep a large, non-stick frying pan on heat, add 1 tblsp olive oil.
When the oil becomes hot, add cashews and raisins and fry well for 2 minutes.
Remove them from the oil and set aside.
Add 2 tblsp olive oil again to the pan.
Add cumin seeds and asafoetida when the oil becomes hot.
Fry well for 2 minutes.
Then add all cooked vegetables, blended mixture, stir well and cook for 10 minutes, until the curry becomes thick and syrupy.

Remove from heat and transfer to a serving platter.
Garnish with fried nuts, raisins, cilantro leaves and serve hot.