Roasted Vegetable Stew with Coconut Milk

spiced-vegetable-stew-with-coconut-milk-2

Having been not feeling so good for the past few days, I was yearning for some change of taste for my tasteless sensation in my mouth. That’s what flu does to you – steals your energy, enthusiam & the sensation of the taste buds too. I did not want to even look at anything overcooked, or too spicy. Something different (as if some else cooked for me, you know how everything tastes better when you don’t cook), light & warm yet healthy is exactly what I needed & exactly what I got. 

This recipe is adapted from Madhur Jaffrey’s Flavors of India. She has the recipe for a Lamb Stew which she describes as a popular stew which the Christians of Kerala, India eat at Easter & Christmas & all other Festive Occasions. While I was reading thru’ the recipe I found it similar to the stew my mom would make esp. during the chilly winter nights with mutton, more like an Irish Stew. However the unique thing  about Madhur Jaffrey’s recipe is that the flavor is enriched with coconut milk & it is spiced up with hot green chillies.

What I have actually presented here is a synthesis of my mom’s & the recipe from Flavors of India, as well as a little of my tidbits…I have made a vegetarian version by using Tofu & added a lot more vegetables ( more of a refrigerator cleaning ..), used the coconut milk & to talk about adding my part – Roasted some vegetables & tempered the Stew before serving which did enhance the flavor a LOT.

To deviate a little bit here…

hhdd_logo-copy  A Reminder that the last day of submission for HHDD #26 is March 23rd.

Now to the Recipe…Please do not get intimidated by the long list of ingredients, for most of them are a list of vegetables I have used.

Ingredients:

  1. 1 Medium Onion chopped into big chunks
  2. 2 Carrots, Chopped
  3. 1 Potato, Peeled & chopped into 1″ pieces
  4. 2 Squashes, any kind- chopped into 1″ pieces ( I used zuchinni)
  5. 1 Bell Pepper/Capsicum- Any kind, cut in to squares
  6. 5-6 Spears of Asparagus, cut into 2″ pieces
  7. 2 Medium Tomato,  quartered
  8. 1/2 Cup beans, chopped into 1″ pieces
  9. 3/4 Cup Tofu, cut into 1″ Cubes
  10. 1″ Ginger, peeled & miched
  11. 1 teaspoon + 1 tablespoon Butter/Oil
  12. 2 Cloves
  13. 1″ Stick of Cinnamon
  14. 2 Small Green Cardamoms
  15. 1 Bay leaf
  16. A pinch of Turmeric
  17. 1/2 Cup Milk
  18. 1/2 Cup Coconut Milk
  19. 1/4 Cup Fresh or Frozen Shredded coconut
  20. 2 Hot Green Chillies (Increase or Decrease  to suit your taste)
  21. 20 -25  Fresh Curry leaves ( you may choose to substitute this with any other herb, but the curry leaves lends the typical Flavor of this stew)
  22. 3 tablespoons Chana Dal (Split brown Chickpeas without the seedcoat)
  23. 1/2 Teaspoon Mustard Seed
  24. Salt
  25. Fresh Black Pepper
  26. water if required

Note: There is no rule to what vegetables that can be added here. Please pick your own veggies.

Preparation:

In a baking tray combine the carrots, Potatoes, Squash & the Bell Pepper. Drizzle with some oil (Preferably Olive Oil) & roast them at 375 Degree F for about 15 -20 minutes. They will slightly brown but need not be cooked through since they will get tender while cooking the stew. Roasting the vegetables gives it a different flavor & makes it sweeter.

Heat a soup pot. Add the cinnamon, cardamom & clove & dry roast at medium heat till aromatic.

Add 1 teaspoon of butter, and add the Hot Green Chillies, Bayleaf, Ginger & Onion & stir fry till the onions are translucent.

Add all the roasted veggies, except for the tomatoes, beans & the asparagus  & stir at medium heat for about 5- 7 minutes.

Add Salt, Black Pepper, turmeric, half of the Curry leaves, Beans, Asparagus, Tomatoes, Milk, water & Tofu & cover & cook for sometime till the potatoes & carrots are tender. It should not take too long, as they were almost cooked while roasting them.

Uncover & add the Coconut & the Coconut Milk. Simmer for 2 minutes & switch off the heat.

(If  you want your stew thicker, mash a few potatoes in the stew with the back of the spoon)

To Temper:

Heat 1 Tablespoon of Butter/Oil. Add the Chana dal/Split chickpeas & stir till they are light brown. Add the mustard seeds.

Switch off the heat when they splutter & Immediately add the rest of the curry leaves.

Pour this over right away on the cooked stew. Gently stir it in.

 spiced-vegetable-stew-with-coconut-milk

Garnish with more Fresh Black Peppers if you want.  Serve warm with Fresh Bread or crackers. Here is one bowlful of hearty, warm & delicious stew.

spiced-vegetable-stew-with-coconut-milk-5

This was a stew with very Unique flavors & taste. It was light yet very fulfilling… the taste was a balance of little sweet from the coconut & the coconut milk, added to the heat of hot Green Chillies & the spices. What I loved most about it was my addition of the tempering with the lentils, which gave that healthy crunchy bite of an otherwise missing croutons:-)

Nope- NO CROUTONS REQUIRED!! Sending this to No Croutons Required, hosted by Lisa in Lisa’s Vegetarian Kitchen. The theme this month is Indian Style Vegetarian Soup or Salad.

 

Related Posts:
Harira- A Taste of Morocco
Simple Seasoned Red Lentils – A Taste of Home
Minestrone Soup


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42 comments to Roasted Vegetable Stew with Coconut Milk

  • I hope you are well recovered. That soup should do the trick 😉

    Thanks Maryann!

  • sra

    Hope you’re feeling better now!

    It had the opp effect on me – I’ve been on antibiotics on and off for two weeks – in the second round, I’m eating anything and everything in sight!!! Probably making up for the deprivation in the first round. 😀

    sra .. I have no appetite at all:-(

  • Speedy and full recovery girl! 🙂

    Stew! YUMMO! I made Kerala stew once, it was sooo yummy, recipe from shn. Looks fabulous, have some and be happy.

    I will see if I can post one your event before deadline. With no sauce, it’s hard for my kids eat that Pasta dish! ;D

    Thanks Asha!

  • Hope you are feeling good now. Vegetable stew looks very delicious & healthy.

    Thanks Trupti!

  • This stew sounds delicious .its looking great..Have this some and you will feel better..
    Soma,I have to thank you a ton for posting the pizza recipe..You saved my life ..The pizza came out perfect..I followed your pizza dough recipe to T but made changes with the topping.Everyone loved it at home..Thanks for the recipe,dear
    And do take care of yourself 🙂

    Thank you! & Thank you sooooo much for trying out & letting me know:-)

  • I love stew and ilove the way yolu have prepared it, delicious.

    Thanks HC!!

  • This vegetable stew sounds really good! Hope you’re feeling better soon!

    Thanks Natasha!

  • This vegetable stew sounds awesome, loved the flavors. Hope you are feeling better now, take care !

    Thanks Usha!

  • mohana

    Get well soon !! The stew looks perfect ! and yummy ! and heathly !

    Thankyou mohana!

  • Oh..Get well dear..I see n hear Flu everywhere!!.:O
    yeah..stews are the most loved dishes in Kerala..Appam n chicken/beef stews..my my..the memories brings tears..:P
    n I see this one resembles it so much..Even after the long list n effort,the dish is sure worth anything Soma..:)
    Take rest n get well soon..!!
    hugs

  • I have a pack of Pasta n a confused mind of a beginner here..Leme see if I can make it for HHDD before 23..I have to cook the same dish I see there,Chicken & Roasted Capsicum Pasta no?

    Wrote to you Varsha..

  • I love Kerala cuisine and anything in coconut milk! The mild sweetness and the aroma…..yummmm:) Picture setting looks mast!! Don’t tell me you take so much pains even when not well!! Go and take rest and sleep a lot:) Meanwhile I will help in polishing off the bowl:)

    Now u realize ki photo lene ka kya bhut chaRa hain:-)…. the flu was last week.. doing much better now.. Thanks Harini!

  • sandeepa

    Looks real yumm. Is that the rosemary bread you baked ? I liked the idea of tempering the stew, is that how it is in Kerala ?

    No Sandeepa that’s not the Rosemary Bread. It was big & chunky:-) No the recipe did not tell me to temper. I did that:-) added some extra flavor.

  • I like how you can use up the odds and ends in your fridge for this. Sounds great, and I’m sure I won’t have to feel under the weather to enjoy this 🙂

    That’s what I like about these kinda cooking, just dump what ever u want & it still tastes good:)

  • Soma, flu is a pain literally-hurts all over doesn’t it. Glad to hear you are on the mend. This stew looks good, right for the tongue. With the coconut milk I bet tastes delicious.

    Loved the coconut milk in it!

  • A&N

    I’m sure you’re better after eating this!

    Yes:-) LOL

  • I do hope you are feeling better now.
    The soup looks delicious… love the first picture 🙂

    Thanks Indhu.

  • I love any curry with mixed vegetables like aviyal or stew but the husband doesn’t! So I don’t make them as often as I should.

    Same with my hubby nags… if it is Indian food, he wants it spicy.. he will eat other cuisines tho’

  • Get well soon. Nice pics and wonderful blog.

    Thanks Simtha.

  • Asustho lokera( hehehe .. lemme call you that) ghora phera korena .. eto shundor shundor ranna o korte nei … jao shotan hoye shuye poro. 😉

    Shorir kharap hoye o jodi ei rokom shob recipe ar chobi dao Soma … amader ki hobe?!!!
    Vegetables roast kore use kora ta to darun idea! Must try … must try.

    Hope you are better now … flu je ki bicchiri hote pare … ektu chicken soup o khete paro … tara tari strenght ar taste phirbe. Bhalo theko. 🙂

    LOL Sharmila:-)

  • Oh, Soma! I had to respond to that comment immediately. Sorry if I freak you out right now. I’m so sorry to hear about that. And I know what you mean by missing her every minute. I do it even now 🙁

    *huuug*

  • Cham

    Get well soon Soma. Stew is gorgeous with bread slice 🙂

    Thanks Cham!

  • Rashmi

    Soma… 🙂 you na..are too much yaar!
    flu main bhi itni mehnat..
    looks slurppicious though

    hehee Rashmi.. lekin mein nehi karun to kaun karega?

  • Hey u didn’t told earlier that u weren’t well(hmm as if i would have made any difference),anyways nice to know tht u r feeling better now….Its so painful to fall ill and then not being able to cook and eat.
    And i love to have some nice hot and sour (veg) soup or simple spinach soup when that Cold hits me,blocking my sinuses.The hot bowl of soup provides so much of comfort and this one is no less than Heaven sent recipe
    Loved the colours, and veggies popping out 🙂

    Alka just that you are concerned, make sme feel better! Thanks yaar..

  • Ann

    Looks simply great with those veggies and coconut milk…amazing clicks yaa..Get well soon ..!!

    Thanks Ann!

  • Hope you are feeling better. This delicious stew would have definitely chased the bugs away.
    This stew reminds me of the Kerala “ishtu” except for the roasted veggies.

    Aparna, the recipe I followed was of the Kerala Stew (didn’t know it was called “ishtoo”).. I made some changes to the original recipe.

  • What a gorgeous dish! Hope you are feeling better now.

    Thanks Lisa!

  • delicious gravy to go with rice. you can have jeera pepper rasam during cold.

    Thanks Mahimaa. Rasams are great during cold too!

  • Hi Soma,
    After the coconut milk, capsicum, curry leaves, you have to be better already ha! ha!
    I was salivating just looking at your pretty bowl of goodness.

    Thanks Nazarina!

  • Flu or not, that bright cheery setting in the first picture can brighten anybody. Hey Soma, but hope you are doing well now.

    Thanks Supriya.. it was last week. I am ok now:-)

  • That’s too much of chopping when u are not well. I too have the flu and I feel miserable.
    Yesterday i made a quick veggie soup and today I don’t know what I will make. This recipe of yours is a avial from kerela, is it??

    I will try it when I am ok.
    Nice blog BTW.

    Manila, tho this uses coconut (more coconut milk), this is not avial… this is more like a Stew from Kerala. It’s more liquidy.. the original recipe is that of Kerala Lamb stew.. i just made it vegetarian & roasted the veggies.

  • I really like the sound of using coconut milk in a vegetable stew.

  • mmm,…droolin here,..

  • I know the recipe you mean from Flavour of India. It’s fantastic (I’ve been meaning to write about it). If you haven’t tried it, do. Though your version sounds awsome, too.

    I just love Flavours of India. It’s one of my absolute favourites. Possibly even my favourite Indian cookbook. Which in my case probably means my favourite cookbook! 🙂

    I also have the Taste of India by Madhur, but I prefer Flavours of India.

  • Hope you’ve recovered now 🙂 Lovely pics.

  • I love stews and this one looks especially delicious with the bread on the side!

  • Sasha

    Thanks so much for the recipe! My fiance is from Guyana and he makes something like this , but won’t tell me the ingredients for fear that I will start cooking it…it’s the only thing he makes for ME that I really enjoy, I usually do all of the cooking in our home.

    Tonight he’s working late so I thought it would be nice to surprise him with something we both love, plus Im not feeling very well either.

    Could you please tell me about how much water to add to the pot?

    Hi There,

    Add as much water depending on how much soup you want for your yourself. As the vegetables are cooking they will absorb some water, + you will the coconut milk & milk adding liquid extra. Some people like it thick, then you would need less water. The water is really to cook the veggies in. I like mine soupy so I add more. If you think at the end (before adding the coconut milk) that you have too much water left & the veggies are already cooked, just keep the pot open, & cook to let the extra water evaporate.

    Note: Do not cook the milk or the coconut milk too much.. they might split/curdle.

    HTH.

    Good luck:-)

    Cheers
    Soma

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  • Sowmya

    Superb recipe! Tried it today xactly like how u said it here, and it turned out so yummy that my hubby was speechless! He said it was the best stew he has had so far! And so healthy with do many veggies. I added broccoli as well which is his fav. Thanks for this awesome recipe!!!

  • Kathleen

    I just wanted to say that I made this stew over the weekend and it was amazing! The only thing I did differently was I added some red chili powder when I also added the tumeric and I omitted the shredded coconut (my family didn’t mind the coconut milk but they don’t like shredded coconut). It was delicious, spicy and great texture with the channa dal being added at the end! We had it with some crusty french bread and it was the perfect Sunday dinner. Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe!
    Kathleen

  • […] Soma of eCurry we have this gorgeous Roasted Vegetable Stew with Coconut Milk. A synthesis of a Madhur Jaffrey recipe and her mom’s, this healthy stew is made with roasted […]

  • Mbj

    What a lovely gentle veg curry. The first time I made it exactly as per the recipe, but now, because hubby loves okra and potatoes, that’s all the veg I use, and it is delicious every time! For a little added flavour, I add a little tamarind water as well. Thank you for a great veg curry recipe!

    Thank you!!

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