
Few curries demand as much layered effort as a proper Kolhapuri, and the results here are absolutely worth it. The heart of the dish is a hand-built masala paste — toasted whole spices, golden coconut, charred onion, garlic, ginger, and two kinds of dried red chilies all blended into a deep, brick-red paste that smells like something you'd find simmering in a Maharashtrian kitchen. That paste gets cooked down until the oil separates and the color deepens, then jammy tomatoes go in to round out the heat with a little acidity. Hearty vegetables — potato, carrot, cauliflower, green beans, and peas — are added in stages so everything finishes tender without turning to mush. Every single ingredient in this recipe is naturally free from tree nuts, so there's no need to scrutinize labels or swap anything out; it just works as written. The finished curry is bold, warming, and complex in a way that store-bought spice blends simply can't replicate. Serve it hot with a scatter of fresh cilantro and something to scoop it up with — you'll want every last drop.
Fig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →4 servings

























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.
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 3–4 minutes. Transfer to the plate with the toasted spices.
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!
