A reader had asked me (a while back, I admit) if I knew the recipe for a subzi he once tasted in Rajasthan. Gordon described it as an "amazing dry curry made with wonderful red carrots and green peas" that, he added, was very simple but so flavorful.
I will confess I am not an expert on Rajasthani cuisine. I had a school friend, Seema, whose family was Marwari and who'd often share her delicious lunches with me, but other than that my only exposure to food from this vibrant state was when I traveled to Jaipur a few years ago for a truly memorable and wonderful trip punctuated by some sad memories of elephants and camels carrying heavy loads of tourists up and down steep mountain roads.
But the idea of a peas-and-carrots curry flavored with Rajasthani spices stuck in my mind because it sounded so delicious, and I was eager to give it a try.
I googled up Rajasthani spice mixes and came up with this recipe for a Rajasthani garam masala that was very different from the garam masala recipes I'm used to. I tweaked it a bit to add some more spices commonly used in Rajasthani cuisine, like fennel seeds, and came up with a flavorful mix that I thought would be perfect with peas and carrots.
I am not sure if my subzi is anything like what Gordon had in mind, but it was definitely very simple and very flavorful. If you'd like a dry, spicier curry, leave out the coconut milk I added at the very end just because I wanted a slightly runny curry to eat with the missi rotis I made, also a Rajasthani favorite. And definitely leave out the dill because I'm not at all sure that's an herb typically used in Rajasthani cuisine. I love dill, but this dish is definitely super-delicious even without it.
Try it, and hope you enjoy it. Also, if anyone knows of a Rajasthani Peas-Carrot Curry recipe that's authentic, do write in and share!
More yummy vegan recipes
Peas-Carrot Curry with Rajasthani Spices
Ingredients:
2 large carrots or about 12-15 baby carrots, cut into small pieces (I used baby carrots so i just chopped them into rounds)
1 cup green peas (I used frozen)
1 medium onion, diced
2 teaspoon Rajasthani garam masala (recipe follows)
½ to 1 teaspoon paprika or other red chilli powder
½ teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon canola or other vegetable oil
¼ cup coconut milk
Chopped dill or coriander for garnish
Heat the oil in a skillet.
Add the onion and saute over medium heat until the onion softens, but doesn't brown, about 5 minutes.
Add the carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are quite tender. Now add the peas and stir well to mix.
When the peas are cooked, which will be pretty soon if you use frozen, thawed peas, add the powdered spices. Stir well to combine. Add the salt.
If using coconut milk, add it and turn off heat. Garnish with dill or coriander leaves, if desired.
Serve hot with any bread. It goes great with Missi Roti, the recipe for which follows.
Rajasthani Spice Blend
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon ajwain seeds (carom seeds)
1 black cardamom pod (these are large and tougher-looking than regular green cardamom pods)
Roast the spices on a dry skillet over medium heat, about five minutes or until the spices turn a few shades darker and fragrant.
Grind to a powder in a spice grinder and store in an air-tight container.
Missi Roti
Ingredients:
1 cup whole-wheat durum flour (use regular whole-wheat flour if you don't have this)
1 cup chickpea/garbanzo bean flour (besan)
1 teaspoon Rajasthani garam masala powder (recipe above)
1 teaspoon paprika or any red chilli powder. Adjust to your taste
½ teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon salt
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Add water slowly and knead into a stiff dough. Set aside for about half an hour.
To roll the rotis, pinch off a ball about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Roll between your palms to make a smooth ball. Now roll into seven-inch rotis on a floured surface.
Heat a cast-iron or other griddle. Place the roti on the griddle and when it starts to bubble up, flip over and cook on the other side. Brush the surface or spray it with a little oil.
Flip over one more time after golden-brown spots appear on the underside. Cook another minute or so until done.
Serve hot. These rotis stiffen and crisp up as they cool down and I love them that way.
Happy Holidays, all, and enjoy the long weekend!
Apani Rasoi
I love the gravy color of yours. It makes the curry look so rich and delectable.Indian Vegetarian Food Recipes
Vaishali
Cham, BangaloreBaker, Superchef, Pavani, Zengirl, Red Chillies, Evolvingtastes, Priya N., Priya: Thanks, all, and best holiday wishes!
Dear Shri: Thanks for missing me 🙂 I hope to return to my old blogging schedule soon, so stay tuned.
Trinity, Ms. Chitchat: Thanks!
Parita, yes, this is quite masaaledaar, esp if you make it without the coconut milk.
Gita, thanks.
Gordon, Hope you try it and like it 🙂
Indhu, Maya, Prathiba, Thanks!
Ramya, welcome!
Sheela, welcome, and thanks for your kind words. So glad you tried out the curry- and the banana cake. And glad also that my Opie brings back happy memories of your dog. I've not been posting more of his, and my other kids'-- pictures lately, but will do so soon. 🙂 A happy new year to you!
Anonymous
Hello Vaishali,
I wish you a Happy New Year 2K10!!
Let me first tell you I am not an experienced cook, just started to cook since two years now but I have started to experiment with new recipes offlate. I love your blog and tried your rajasthani carrot peas curry. I loved it as it turned out Yumm...I am a vegetarian but hate to say after reading your blog that I do drink milk in the form of coffee:( Your articles make me think!!
Second recipe I tried from your blog and my first time baking experience.I mean real First time no joking....loved your Banana cake.It turned out delecious, just baked it yesterday.
My next challenge is to try Carrot cake and will let you know the outcome.
Thanks for your website and easy way of stating recipes, it encourages amateur cooks like me to try new recipes.
Love all your pets,Wish them Happy New Year and Good health 🙂
I love your opie, reminds me of my pet in India:( I miss him....
Bye for now
Sheela
Ramya Manja
Hey Vishali,I am here for the first time & I admit that u have many delicious recipe to drag me to ur blog...
Though I never relished any Rajasthani dishes,this one surely caught my eye!!!!!
Great entry...
Happy blogging and a Very Happy New year....
Prathibha
Lovely flavor of the ingredients....looking so colorful...perfect wid roti's..
Maya Varadan
Love the color in the curry.I like peas and carrot combo.Nice one.
Have a Wonderful New Year Ahead!!!
Indhu
I love the vibrant colour of this dish in the last picture... I so badly want to try this missi roti.. but I still suck at making rotis 🙂
Happy Holidays!
Gordon
Happy New Year and thank you this looks amazing! I'm excited to try it. I made your tofu panner for palak panner just tonight. It was very thoughtful of you to take the time to create a recipe for my request. Best regards! Gordon
Gita
Very interesting curry with dill..the combination looks great with the rotis...the curry sounds delicious with dill and coconut milk. Happy New Year Dear!
Parita
Your version of peas and carrot curry sounds extremely rich and delicious! I have always thought of rajasthani food as more spicy and masaledar and its one of my fav!
Ms.Chitchat
That sure looks interesting, although I have not tried Rajasthani recipes. You have wonderful recipes. Following u.
Chitchat
Trinity (of haiku tofu)
That looks so delicious! Happy Holidays!
Shri
That looks wonderful,Vaishali!Been a while, I have been missing your wonderful posts..Things at work, home and of course the weather makes you lethargic:)Merry Xmas and Happy Holidays:)
Priya
Never tried Rajasthani dishes so far...missi roti looks fantastic with those delicious subzi..Happy holidays..
Priya Narasimhan
looks lovely..i have never tried rajasthani food..
happy holidays Vaishali....
Red Chillies
Hi Vaishali, hope you are doing good ... wishing you and your family Happy Holidays!
evolvingtastes
The entire meal looks great! Mmmm.
Zengirl
Vaishali,
I like Rajstani Daal-Baati, I have yet to try this yummy looking subji and I will soon.
Wishing you, Desi and your furry friends happy holidays and new year!
Pavani
Carrots & peas curry with coconut milk looks creamy & delicious. Wish you and your family a very Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New year.
Superchef
whatever Rajasthani food ive tasted during my one visit to Rajastan, ive fallen in love with them..this looks incredible!! Happy Holidays 🙂
BangaloreBaker
Nice recipe. I love Rajasthani food too.
Cham
I never travelled so far... but one day I would like to visit Rajast.
The creamy carrot and peas with missi roti is a real feast!
Merry Xmas to U and Desi!