Step 1

Chop the cauliflower into medium florets. Rinse well and keep aside.

Step 2

Heat 3 cups water with salt till its starts boiling.

Step 3

Switch off and add the florets in the hot water. Cover and keep aside for 15-20 minutes.

Step 4

In the meantime, chop the onion and crush the ginger-garlic in a mortar-pestle.

Step 5

Also grind the tomato-cashews to a smooth paste on a high speed in a blender with very little water. If there is too much water, then the mixture starts spluttering when sauting it.

Step 6

Keep the tomato-cashew paste aside.

Step 7

Drain the cauliflower florets and keep aside and gently wipe them dry..

Step 8

Heat oil in a kadai or wok till it starts shimmering.

Step 9

Add the blanched cauliflower florets to the oil and saute on a low to medium flame till they start getting light brown spots on them.

Step 10

This takes approx 8 to 10 mins.

Step 11

Then remove the sauted cauliflower and keep aside.

Step 12

In the same pan, add 2 tbsp oil. Add the bay leaf and caraway seeds.

Step 13

Fry for a few seconds or till the oil become aromatic.

Step 14

Add the chopped onions and saute till the onions get golden and caramelized.

Step 15

Then add the ginger-garlic paste and saute for a few seconds till the raw aroma of ginger-garlic goes away.

Step 16

Add the tomato-cashew paste and stir.

Step 17

Add the spice powders – coriander, cumin, red chili, garam masala and turmeric.

Step 18

Saute stirring often till the oil starts to leave the sides of the masala.

Step 19

The whole masala paste will clump together and you will see oil clearly leaving the sides.

Step 20

This is an important step as if not done properly, the flavors don't come through in the dish.

Step 21

Switch off the stove and then add the whisked yogurt.

Step 22

Stir very well and then add 1 to 1.5 cups water. do add water as required. here I get cauliflower which takes more time to cook. Thus I add more water. If the cauliflower takes less time to cook, then add less water.

Step 23

If you have fried the cauliflower more than what is mentioned in the recipe, then also you will have to add less water as the cauliflower will be already cooked. So just add enough water to get a medium consistency gravy. Let it come to a boil. Then add the cauliflower and simmer for a minute.

Step 24

Stir again and keep the kadai or pan on the fire again.

Step 25

Now add the sauteed cauliflower florets plus salt.

Step 26

Stir and cover the kadai or pan with a tight lid.

Step 27

Cook the cauliflower masala on low to medium flame for approx 10 to 15 minutes or till they are cooked completely.

Step 28

Keep on checking at intervals.

Step 29

Lastly add the crushed kasuri methi, cream and a pinch of nutmeg. Stir the curry and switch off the fire.

Step 30

Serve gobi masala hot with rotis, naan or rice.