Caffeine Free Vegan Vegetable Kolhapuri
This fiery, deeply spiced curry pulls from the bold culinary tradition of Kolhapur, a region in Maharashtra known for its unapologetically intense flavors. The heart of the dish is a from-scratch masala paste built by toasting whole spices ā coriander, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, and more ā then blending them with toasted coconut, charred onion, garlic, ginger, and two kinds of dried red chilies into a thick, vivid paste that smells absolutely incredible. That paste gets cooked down until the oil separates and the color deepens, creating a rich, jammy base before the vegetables even hit the pan. Cauliflower, green beans, carrot, potato, and green peas all get folded in and simmered until perfectly tender, soaking up every layer of that complex masala. The whole recipe is naturally free of coffee, tea, and any caffeine-containing ingredients, so it fits a caffeine-free lifestyle without any substitutions or workarounds needed. It's a genuinely satisfying plant-based dinner that doesn't taste like it's missing anything ā just bold, warming, and full of character. Finish it with a scatter of fresh cilantro and serve it hot for maximum impact.
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Learn more āIngredients
4 servings
For the Kolhapuri masala
- 3 tbsp neutral oil, divided
- Ā½ cup fresh or frozen grated coconut
- 1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
- 4 dried kashmiri red chilies, stems removed
- 2 dried hot red chilies (such as byadgi or arbol), stems removed
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- Ā½ tsp cumin seeds
- 4 black peppercorns
- 3 cloves
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- Ā½ tsp poppy seeds
- Ā½ tsp sesame seeds
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
- Ā½ 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 Ā½-inch rounds
- 1 medium potato, peeled and cut into Ā¾-inch cubes
- Ā½ 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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