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Cauliflower Bhuna Masala

This vegan Indian cauliflower bhuna masala curry is secretly healthy, comforting, spicy and oh, so delicious.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 people 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Indian
authentic Indian Bhuna Masala with cauliflower chunks
Units Scale

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp oil
  • 1 large head of cauliflower (torn into medium chunks)
  • 1 cup vegan yoghurt
  • 1/2 tsp chilli powder
  • 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
  • salt + black pepper
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 cloves
  • 4 medium sized onions (*see notes)
  • 1 tbsp grated ginger
  • 1 tbsp grated garlic
  • 1 cup tinned chopped tomatoes
  • 2 tsp kashmiri chilli powder (*see notes)
  • 1 tbsp ground coriander
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried methi
  • 23 cups water (or more *see notes)
  • 2 tbsp coriander leaves

Instructions

  1. Pan-roasting: Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a large pan, add in the torn cauliflower with a spinkle of salt and cook on medium-high flame with the lid on for 15-20 minutes or until the cauliflower is charred. Mixing often to prevent burning.
  2. Cauliflower marinade: Add vegan yoghurt, ground turmeric, chilli powder and black pepper into a bowl. Mix until well combined. Add in the charred cauliflower mix one more time. Set aside until needed.
  3. Bhuna Masala: In the same pan, heat 2 tbsp oil. Add cumin seeds, bay leaf, cloves and cinnamon stick. Cook for just under a minute or until fragrant. Mix in the finely chopped onions and cook until slightly golden. This will take around 5-7 minutes. Add in the garlic and ginger, cook for a few seconds. Add tinned tomatoes, ground coriander, ground cumin, salt and Kashmiri chilli powder. Mix to combine and cook on a low flame for 15-20 minutes. Mixing often. If you notice the masala sticking to the pan add in a splash of water to loosen up the mixture.
  4. Adding Cauliflower: Add in the marinated cauliflower, along with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes or until cauliflower is fork-tender. If needed add some more water. Rub the dried methi in between your hands and into the curry. Mix and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
  5. Final touches: Remove from heat, sprinkle with coriander leaves and enjoy warm!

Notes

Kashmiri chilli powder – please DO NOT substitute this for more chilli powder. It will make your curry extremely spicy. I highly recommend buying some Kashmiri chilli powder as I use it often in my recipes. You can use cayenne powder, although that might alter the flavour of this curry slightly. 

Water- you’ll need to add a splash of water here and there whenever the curry becomes a little dry or if the masala ever starts sticking to the pan. The amount needed also depends on how thick or thin you want the gravy to be! 

Nutrition

  • Calories: 180