Cooking amidst the jungle - Mixed Vegetable Curry

In this busy running world and lives of us, we always need to be reminded to spend some time with the nature. Throwing away our mobiles and tablets and what not, we are finding ways to integrate with where we have come from. When I was given an opportunity to spend some time amidst the jungle just relaxing, cooking your own food from scratch, soaking yourself in the waterfall - I din't think twice! It had to be done.

It was a rocky journey to the actual place and I loved every bit of it. Jumping out from the cushion car seat to the backside of the off road vehicle, we soaked in the natural entity of the whole place! There were fruit trees and hanging fruits everywhere you could see. This durian was enjoying its morning sun!

The stream was cold and our legs were happy to get soaked. Any one who would have visited this place will definitely forget their electronics and just soak themselves in the surrounding.

And there is more to come. A jungly ride.. a stream flowing... and a waterfall...

It definitely brought back memories of my childhood when we used to visit the famous courtallam falls in southern Tamil Nadu. The thud sound and the cold water of the falls used to intimidate me. But there is no coming back when you go in the water. I had a small visitor who liked to say hi to me Mr. leech.

Then the long awaited vegetarian mixed vegetable curry was prepared! The setting was perfect. The ingredients were ready. The cook was all set. What did we wait for? We started with the preparations for the curry.

Chop the vegetables - done

Prepare the blended ingredients - done

Keep the pan - done

Slowly the aroma was all in the air. One by one, all the ingredients was tossed and sauteed and mashed. The mushrooms and cauliflowers and potatoes were roasted in oil to retain their crunchiness.

Quick Recipe:

- Wash your vegetables (carrots, beans, cauliflowers, potatoes, mushrooms and capsicum) and cut them lengthwise

- Chop your onions and tomatoes 

- Take a few cashews and soak it in hot water. After half an hour, blend it into a nice paste

- Add oil/butter in the pan and add your chopped onions

- Once they turn translucent, add your ginger garlic paste (you can also add finely chopped garlic and ginger) and saúte it well. 

- next add the tomato paste or the chopped tomatoes into the pan. Mix it well.

- At this stage, add the turmeric power and red chili power into the pan along with necessary salt. The turmeric and chili power can be added as per your taste and liking.

- mix it well and let the mixture nicely cook. Once the onion tomatoes paste start leaving oil, add the blended cashew paste. give it a nice mix and let it boil till the masala gets incorporated well.

The base masala will look like below:

- Add the vegetables at this stage and then add some water for the vegetables to boil.

- Once the vegetables are cooked al dente, add the garam masala and let it just simmer for 3-4 minutes.

- Finally, garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

Serve it with some steamed rice or chappathi or naan. Your Mixed Vegetable curry is all set to be savoured! Take a seat along the stream and enjoy the warm meal in a cool weather.