Step 1

Bring 3 cups of water to a rolling boil in a pot. Add onions and cashews to it and boil for 3 mins until the raw smell of the onions has gone. Turn off the stove.

Step 2

Remove the onions and cashews with a slotted spoon. Set them aside to cool and later grind it along with green chili to a smooth paste in a grinder jar.

Step 3

To the same hot water, add the cauliflower florets and leave them for 1 minute. Later drain the water and rinse them under running water. This blanching is done to get rid of any worms in the florets so you may skip this step if not required. Set aside.

Step 4

Heat 1 teaspoon oil or butter in a pan. Add cashews and almonds. Fry until light golden and then add raisins. As soon as the raisins swell remove all of the nuts and raisins to a small plate.

Step 5

To the same pan, add paneer and fry for 2 mins. Do not over fry they turn hard and chewy. If you want soft paneer, Keep them immersed in little warm water until we use later.

Step 6

There are 2 ways you can prepare the veggies. The first method is to immerse all the veggies in 1.5 cups of water and boil them until fork tender.

Step 7

The other method is to steam them. For this bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a steamer. Place the potatoes in a steam basket and stem until half done. Later add the rest of the veggies and steam together until just cooked. Do not over cook them.

Step 8

On a low flame, heat oil or butter in a pan. Add cinnamon, cumin, bay leaf, cardamom and cloves to the hot oil.

Step 9

When they begin to sizzle Add ginger garlic paste and fry until the raw smell has gone.

Step 10

Then add the ground onion cashew paste and cook until it turns thick to a mass and begins to leave the pan, meaning the paste is cooked well.

Step 11

Add the ground spices - chili powder, garam masala, turmeric and coriander powder along with salt.

Step 12

Saute until oil begins to separate from the mixture.

Step 13

Pour ¾ to 1 cup water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until slightly thick. Taste test and add more salt if required.

Step 14

Add all the steamed veggies and cook covered for 2 mins. Pour cream and stir.

Step 15

Add fried paneer and nuts. Turn off the heat and add kewra water or rose water if using. If using pineapple cool down the navratan korma slightly and add the pineapple chunks.

Step 16

Garnish navaratan korma with coriander, pomegranate arils and raisins.