Kolhapuri cooking is known for its bold, layered heat, and this vegetable curry delivers every bit of that fiery, aromatic depth. The heart of the dish is a from-scratch masala paste built by toasting whole spices ā coriander, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, peppercorns, poppy seeds, and sesame seeds ā then blending them with toasted coconut, charred onion, garlic, ginger, and two kinds of dried red chilies into a deep, brick-red paste that smells absolutely incredible. That paste gets cooked down until the oil separates and the flavors concentrate before tomatoes join the pan to create a jammy, cohesive base that clings to every vegetable. Potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, and peas all simmer together until perfectly tender, soaking up that complex, spiced sauce. The entire ingredient list is built from whole vegetables, spices, coconut, and oil ā nothing processed or grain-derived sneaks in, so it's naturally free of barley and any related grains without any substitutions required. Finished with a scatter of fresh cilantro, this is the kind of curry that makes a simple bowl of rice feel like a proper occasion.
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2 dried hot red chilies (such as byadgi or arbol), stems removed
1 tsp coriander seeds
½ tsp cumin seeds
4 black peppercorns
3 cloves
1 inch cinnamon stick
½ tsp poppy seeds
½ tsp sesame seeds
3 garlic cloves, peeled
1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
½ tsp ground turmeric
For the curry
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
1 cup cauliflower florets (about 1-inch pieces)
1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium carrot, peeled and cut into ½-inch rounds
1 medium potato, peeled and cut into ¾-inch cubes
½ cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
1 cup water
For serving
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
1
Heat a small dry skillet over medium heat. Add the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon stick, poppy seeds, and sesame seeds and toast, stirring constantly, until fragrant and the seeds begin to darken slightly, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
2
In the same small skillet, heat 1 tbsp of the oil over medium heat. Add the grated coconut and cook, stirring frequently, until golden and lightly toasted, about 3ā4 minutes. Transfer to the plate with the toasted spices.
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