This creamy vegetable curry is the tastiest way to eat your veggies! It’s a famous Indian dish known as Navratan korma, which translates to “nine-gem” curry. It sounds fancy but after you make it just once, you’ll see how easy it is to make!
(If you’re looking for the instant pot version of this recipe, visit this blog post)
Navratan Korma: A Royal Dish
Navratan Korma is a rich, creamy, and flavorful dish that literally translates to nine-gem curry. The “gems” are the fruits, vegetables, and nuts that make up the curry. Vegetable korma was created in imperial kitchens and served to kings, queens, and other royals during the Mughal era in India.
If you’ve never had Mughlai cuisine, you’re in for a treat. Mughlai dishes are always over-the-top and incredibly delicious. They usually include dried fruit and nuts like golden raisins and cashews as well as heavy cream or coconut milk. I typically make Mughlai dishes (Chicken Korma, Shami Kebab, Malai Kofta) on special occasions or when we have guests over for dinner.
This is Much Better than Restaurant Korma
My recipe is sweet, spicy, nutty, and creamy. Though it consists of many ingredients, navratan korma is actually an easy dish to prepare. There are a few steps, but the more often you make this, the easier it’ll become. I’m also certain that as soon as you finish this meal, you’ll already have plans to make it again soon.
“I’m still very new to making curries and Indian dishes but this was so clear and easy to follow! I was ready to try a new recipe and this is one of my favorite dishes at restaurants, this recipe is so delicious. I’m very happy I found this and I will be making this again.”
Andrea
Navratan Korma is Easy to Adapt
I use 4 cups of chopped, mixed vegetables as well as 2 cups of potatoes, cut into small cubes. If you don’t want to use potatoes, you can use sweet potatoes or another vegetable. I use different vegetables depending on what’s in season. I prefer to use fresh vegetables, but a combination of fresh and frozen veggies works too. You can also add paneer if you’d like.
This dish is one of my favorite Indian vegetarian recipes. Stir some cream and fenugreek leaves into the curry, then top it off with ghee-coated cashews and golden raisins.
Serve this korma with my Paleo Naan, Nut-Free Roti, or Basmati Rice. This sweet, spicy, nutty, and creamy curry is unlike any dish you’ve had before. This dish really is regal!
Here are Some More Royal Indian Dishes:
Ingredients
Veggies:
- 4 cups chopped vegetables peas, green beans, green bell pepper, carrots, broccoli
- 2 cups potato chopped into 1 inch cubes
Curry:
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 onions roughly chopped
- 4 cloves garlic roughly chopped
- 2 inch ginger roughly chopped
- 1-2 thai bird chilies or 1 serrano pepper
- 1 large tomato
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder or ½ teaspoon paprika and pinch of cayenne
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- ½ cup cashews
- 1 ½ cup water
Finishing Touches:
- 1 tablespoon ghee
- ¼ cup golden raisins
- ¼ cup cashews
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut cream, from the top of a can of refrigerated full-fat coconut milk
- pinch of dried fenugreek leaves
- Optional: chopped cashews and cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Prep the Veggies:
- Bring water to a boil then add the chopped potatoes.
- Cover with a lid for 5 minutes, then add the rest of the vegetables. Put the lid back on and cook for 5 minutes.
- Drain the veggies in a colander and set aside for now.
Make Curry:
- Heat 2 tablespoons ghee in a medium pot (I use a Dutch Oven) over medium heat.
- Add cumin seeds and once they turn brown, add the onions. Stir-fry until onions are soft.
- Then add garlic, ginger, thai bird chili, tomato and spices. Stir-fry for a minute, then add the cashews.
- Stir-fry for 8-10 minutes.
- Let this cool and then pour into a blender along with 1 ½ cups of water.
- Puree until smooth.
- Pour the blended curry back into the pot over low heat, then add the cooked vegetables.
Finishing Touches:
- Add coconut cream and kasoori methi to the pot and stir.
- In a small pan over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of ghee, golden raisins, and cashews. Stir-fry for a minute, then add sprinkle this over the curry along with some chopped cilantro.
Natasha Isaak says
My hubby is allergic to nuts. Is there a way to make this recipe nut-free?
Laine Luckenbach says
If I wanted to add paneer at what point would I add it to this? I’ve never cooked with it before.
Liss says
Love so many of your recipes and looking forward to trying this one. Can it be frozen as a make ahead meal? Thanks!
Chris K says
I made this and accidentally omitted the garlic and ginger, it was still quite good. I made it again and remembered to use all the ingredients, it was fantastic! Definitely the best Indian dish I have ever made. My family and friends love it.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Chris, I’m so glad to hear that – thanks for letting me know how it turned out for you 🙂
Kamala says
This is the first recipe that I tried on your blog and it was delicious! I’m an experienced Indian cook and was craving korma and came across this recipe. I made a few modifications (no coconut cream) and it was still absolutely creamy and yummy. Kids loved it too. Thanks!
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Kamala, that’s so great to hear! Thanks for letting me know how much you and your kiddos enjoyed this 🙂
Andrea E Lewis says
I’m still very new to making curries and Indian dishes but this was so clear and easy to follow! I was ready to try a new recipe and this is one of my favorite dishes at restaurants, this recipe is so delicious. I’m very happy I found this and I will be making this again.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Andrea, that’s so great to hear! Thanks for letting me know how this recipe turned out for you 🙂