Creamy Vegetable Curry/Salad – Pakistani Style

Step 1: Sauté Onions

Place a pan on the stove and turn on the gas. Add 3 tablespoons of cooking oil. Once the oil is hot, add 1 finely chopped medium red onion. Sauté the onions, stirring continuously, until they turn golden brown.

Step 2: Add Aromatics and Spices

Add 1 tablespoon of ginger-garlic paste to the sautéed onions. Mix well and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then, add 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, and 1 tsp chaat masala. Mix all the spices thoroughly with the onion and ginger-garlic paste.

Step 3: Cook Vegetables

Add 2 cups of diced mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, potatoes) to the pan. Mix the vegetables with the spices. Pour 1 glass (~250ml) of water into the pan. Cover the pan with a lid and let the vegetables soften for 10-15 minutes on low heat until tender.

Step 4: Prepare Cream Mixture

In a separate bowl, combine 1/2 cup cooking cream and 1/2 cup thick cream (Qishta). Add 1 small teaspoon of cornflour to the cream mixture. Beat the mixture well until it is smooth and no lumps remain.

Step 5: Combine and Thicken

Check if the vegetables are soft. Taste and adjust salt if needed (more salt was added at 4:48). Pour the prepared cream mixture into the pan with the vegetables. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens to your desired creamy consistency.

Step 6: Serve

Once the creamy vegetable dish is ready, serve it hot in a bowl. It can be served with plain rice, garnished with fresh mint leaves, or used as a delicious filling for a sandwich or shawarma.

• Squeeze excess water from the ground onions to reduce bitterness and achieve a smoother texture.

• If cornflour is unavailable, a small teaspoon of all-purpose flour can be used as a thickening agent.

• Adjust the amount of spices, especially black pepper and chaat masala, to suit your preferred level of spiciness.

• For an extra rich flavor, you can add a small amount of grated cheese to the creamy vegetable mixture at the end.

• Add diced cooked chicken or paneer for a non-vegetarian or protein-rich vegetarian option.

• Incorporate other vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or sweet corn for added variety and nutrients.

• Serve the creamy vegetables as a side dish with grilled meats or fish.