Recipe ID: MRF4.1

Measure: 1X

Prep Time: 15 min(s)

Cook Time: 30 - 35 min(s)

Total Time: 45 - 50 min(s)

Yield:  4 - 6 moderate serving(s)

Dish Type: Stews & Sauces

Level of Difficulty: Medium

Method: Stovetop

Description: 

A creamy tomato-based sauce with the richness of butter and the unique flavor of the Garam Masala spices makes this a repeat order at Indian restaurants. This recipe with Pear Foods Garam Masala Blend will become a regular meal preparation in your home kitchen as you will get repeat requests from your family members.

Ingredients:

• Pear Oil Bloom Technique for blooming the spice:
• 2 tbsp cooking oil (flavorless oil like sunflower oil)
• 1 pinch cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp Pear Foods Garam Masala Spice Blend

• For Tomato-Onion Base:
• 3 tbsp cooking oil (flavorless oil)
• 1 pinch cumin seeds
• 10 cashew nuts (whole)
• 1/2 green chili (add to taste | serrano chilies | remove seeds, based on your preference)
• 1 Kashmiri red chili (add to taste | you can substitute with red chili of your choice | remove seeds from the red chili, based on your preference)
• 3 garlic cloves (sliced)
• 2 garlic-clove-sized ginger pieces (sliced)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 6 Roma tomatoes (medium-size | chopped)
• 1 to 11/4 c water (1 c for thicker consistency or 11/4 c for thinner consistency)

• For Tofu Butter Masala:
• 3 - 4 tbsp butter (optional, avoid for vegan recipe)
• 1 tbsp cooking oil (flavorless oil like sunflower oil)
• 1 pinch cumin seeds
• 1/2 onion (sliced)
• 1 bell pepper (sliced | add different colors for visual appeal)
• 1 Roma tomato (remove seeds | small dices)
• 1/8 tsp turmeric powder 
• Prepared Tomato-Onion Base
• 1/8 c water (optional, for thinner consistency)
• 1/8 tsp sugar (optional, use it to balance the sourness of tomatoes)
• 1/2 - 3/4 tsp salt (add to taste)
• Bloomed Pear Foods Garam Masala Blend
• 1/8 c heavy cream (optional, avoid for vegan recipe)
• 6 - 8 oz fried tofu (extra firm tofu | cubed and fried | substitute with your choice of cooked protein)
• 2 tbsp cilantro leaves (finely cut)

Directions:

• Make-It-Easy Pointers:
• Have your MiseEnPlace ready before you start cooking.
• While cooking, stir from time to time to avoid the food from sticking to the bottom of the pan. If food sticks to the bottom of the pan, reduce heat and add 2 tbsp of water and stir.
• When adding ingredients especially salt and chili spice to the cooking pot, always remember to add in incremental amounts, because it will get difficult if overdone. 
• Also, a good balance of salt, sugar (if added), spices and chili spice (if added) is quintessential for obtaining the best taste results of a dish.

• Pear Oil Bloom Technique for blooming the spice:
• To a small non-stick frying pan, add the oil. Keep the stove heat to medium. 
• When the oil shimmers, add cumin seeds to the oil and stir them. When the cumin seeds begin to move around and crackle, remove the pan from heat or keep on low heat.
• Add the Pear Foods Garam Masala spice to it instantly and stir gently until a wonderful aroma arises, for about 15 - 45 seconds. Transfer to another bowl. 

• For Tomato-Onion Base:
• Keep the stove setting to medium heat. In a chef's pan, add the oil. When the oil shimmers, add a pinch of cumin seeds. When the cumin seeds begin to move around and crackle, add the cashew nuts, green chili, red chili, garlic and ginger and sauté it for a few minutes, about 1 - 2 minutes.
• Next add the onion and salt and let the onions sweat and cook for about 3 - 5 minutes, until they become translucent. 
• Then, add the tomatoes and water, stir to combine and cover with a lid. Cook for about 15 - 20 minutes in medium heat until the tomatoes become thick, mash-able and well-cooked.
• Cool the contents and grind it to a smooth consistency.
• Optionally, sieve the ground tomato-onion base and reserve it.

• For Tofu in Butter Masala:
• Set the stove to medium heat. In a Sauté pan, add oil and butter and let it melt. Add a pinch of cumin seeds to the butter. When the cumin seeds start to move around and crackle, add the onion and bell pepper and sauté and cook them until the onions turns translucent. 
• Now add the tomatoes and turmeric powder and get the tomatoes to a cooked consistency.
• Reduce heat to low to avoid the base from spattering. Add the tomato-onion base and water (optional). Add sugar, salt and bloomed Pear Foods Garam Masala spice blend and heavy cream and mix well to combine. Cook for at least 5 - 7 minutes on reduced heat, stirring constantly. A pleasant aroma of the dish emanates through the cooking time.
• Add tofu/paneer or your choice of cooked protein and cilantro leaves and stir and let the flavors combine.
• Season well and adjust for salt, sugar and pepper. 
• Serve warm with rice or flat bread or cooked grain dish of your choice.

Variations:

• Substitute Tofu with paneer or your choice of cooked protein.
• Make this a vegan recipe by substituting butter and heavy cream with vegan choices.

Notes: 

If you love this recipe, then try our other recipes.

Did you make this recipe?

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