This is a family recipe from Mama’s side of the family. Since most of them lived in Bangalore (now Bengaluru), I call it the Bangalore Green Masala Stew. It has a generous amount of cilantro (fresh coriander) and is a lighter curry than the Korma, and quicker to prepare as well. For a vegan version with the same delicious flavor, omit the meat and use vegetable broth to intensify the flavor.
Bangalore Green Masala Stew
A creamy coconut stew, delicately flavored with spices. It can be adjusted to vegetarian, vegan, and non-vegetarian palates.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken or meat (cut into bite-size bits )
- 1 large onion (diced or 2 medium shallots diced)
- 2 medium green chilies slit in half (or to your taste)
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- 1 tsp tumeric powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon powder
- ¼ tsp clove powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper powder
- 1 bunch fresh green coriander (approximately ½ cup of paste)
- 1 tsp salt (or to your taste)
- 3 cups hot water (2 cup beef or chicken or vegetable broth with 1 cup of water)
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 2 medium tomatoes (pureed (or 1½ tbsp tomato paste))
- ½ cup peas
- ½ cup carrots
- 2 medium potatoes (quartered)
- 4 tbsp cooking oil
Instructions
- Add oil to a 6-quart pot and heat on medium-high.
- Add onions and slit green chilies. Fry until the onions are half brown, about 7-8 minutes.
- Add the meat and braise until it is no longer pink, and the oil starts to surface on the sides of the pot, about 15-20 minutes.
- Now add the ginger, cilantro paste, and spice powders. Fry until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes or tomato puree and sauté for about 3-4 minutes to get the raw tomato taste out.
- Add 3 cups of hot water/stock, stir, cover, and cook until the chicken or meat is almost done.
- The cooking time varies, but it should take approximately 40 minutes for the meat and 15 minutes for the chicken.
- Add the vegetables and coconut milk and cook until the vegetables are tender—approximately 15 minutes. Remember, the cooking time varies, ensure the meat or chicken is nice and tender. Add more hot water or stock to adjust the gravy to your desired consistency.
- Serve with plain boiled rice, cooked noodles, or cooked rice noodles. You can also serve it like soup with toasted bread or rolls.
Notes
You can substitute the potatoes with cauliflower if you want to avoid potatoes or, if you are vegan, you can add cauliflower when you are omitting the meat.
Always add hot water when cooking to continue the cooking process unless, of course, the recipe says otherwise.