Chicken Free Vegan Vegetable Kolhapuri
Bold, fiery, and deeply aromatic, this Kolhapuri curry is the kind of dish that makes your whole kitchen smell incredible from the very first step. The heart of the recipe is a from-scratch masala paste built by toasting whole spices ā coriander, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, poppy seeds, sesame seeds ā then blending them with toasted coconut, charred onion, garlic, ginger, and two types of dried red chilies into a thick, deeply colored paste. That layered process is what gives Kolhapuri cooking its signature intensity, and every step here earns its place. A medley of potato, carrot, cauliflower, green beans, and peas soaks up all that complex heat and richness, becoming tender and fully coated in the jammy masala base. The whole dish is completely plant-based, built entirely from vegetables, spices, and coconut ā no meat, no dairy, no shortcuts. It's the kind of satisfying, warming bowl that proves you don't need anything extra to make a curry feel genuinely special. Finish it with a handful of fresh cilantro and serve it hot.
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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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