Aloo gobi & jeera rice

This hearty cauliflower and potato curry is one of the most common vegetable curries you will find in India. Serve with spiced jeera rice for a cheap, filling and vegan midweek meal.

Ingredients

For the jeera rice

350g/12oz basmati rice
2 tbsp sunflower oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 tsp cumin seeds
1 bay leaf
1 cinnamon stick
3 green cardamom pods

For the aloo gobi

2 tbsp sunflower oil
25g/1oz butter (or dairy-free alternative)
2 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsp ground turmeric
4cm/1½in fresh root ginger, finely grated
2 onions, roughly chopped
2 tsp freshly chopped green bird’s-eye chillies (or to taste)
3 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves (methi)
1 cauliflower, broken into florets, leaves chopped
2 large potatoes, cut into 2cm/¾in cubes
2 tsp garam masala
salt and freshly ground black pepper
handful fresh coriander, to garnish

Method

To make the jeera rice, wash and soak the rice while you prepare the spices. Place the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion, cumin, bay, cinnamon and cardamom pods and gently fry for a few minutes. Drain and add the rice, then pour over 800ml/1¼ pint water. Bring to the boil, cover, reduce the heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes.
Meanwhile, to make the aloo gobi, heat the oil and butter in a large heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat. Add the cumin, turmeric, ginger, onions, chillies and fenugreek and fry for a few minutes. Add the cauliflower florets and leaves, stir to coat in the spices and cook for a few minutes. Add the potatoes, stir again, cover and steam for 10–15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Sprinkle over the garam masala and season to taste. Garnish with coriander before serving with the rice.