Navaratan Korma

This is an Indian vegetable korma with nuts, paneer ,cheese, and an adjustable list of vegetables. It is in a tomato-cream sauce as opposed to the usual yogurt based sauce. 'Navratan' means 'nine gems,' so choose nine of the vegetable, nuts, and paneer ingredients; you can leave out the elements you don't want to use, or add them all so it is 'ten gems' if you wish." Here I have made a simplified version of the recipe with our readily available low calorie ingredients. It is a sweet gravy as fruits are also incorporated to give a different flavour.


INGREDIENTS:

• Vegetables- 2 cups ( Carrots, beans, green peas, capsicum,Potatoes, pineapple, Apple, Grapes, Dates)
• Cumin seeds- 1 tablespoon
• Spices- cardamom, cloves, cinnamon or garam masala powder
• Grated Ginger- 1 tablespoon
• Grated Garlic- 1 tablespoon
• Green chillies- 3 finely chopped
• Onions- 2 finely chopped
• Tomato- 1 cubed
• Cashews and Raisins for garnishing
• Mint and coriander leaves- 2 tablespoons
• Turmeric powder- 1/2 tablespoon
• Evaporated milk(Carnation) 1 cup- Can be substituted with ordinary milk , Or if you are a fan of  fresh cream , you can use that too . The choice is yours!
• Salt as needed

Serves for 8

How to Prepare:
Step 1: Cook vegetables
Pressure cook all the vegetables(Carrots , Beans ,Potatoes, Green peas) for one whistle adding little water and salt. Keep aside.

Step 2: Gravy
Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds, when it is done add onions and saute till it becomes brown. Add ginger and garlic and saute till it is cooked. Add green chillies and cook the mixture well. Remove from flame and cool it . Grind it to a smooth paste without adding water. Heat oil in the same pan, add the spices or garam masala and saute till it gives an aroma , then add the paste and saute well. Add the cubed tomato pieces and saute well till cooked. Add the cooked vegetables, turmeric powder and salt and mix well. Add the fruits and mix. Add the milk and switch off the flame. Stir till the gravy thickens.

Step 3: Serving
Garnish with mint, coriander leaves, cashews and raisins. serve hot .