Navratan Korma (Vegetable Korma)

Ever had potatoes so good you wanna eat all day? Ladies and gents, this vegetable korma will have your senses all up in flames of flavor town! Oh yeah HAPPY NEW MONTH my loves! Its December, the last month of the year, what? How has time flown by so fast? Where did it go? I know am not the only one who feels like there is so much that you still want to do yet so little time to do it. Did you make any new year resolutions? How many did you manage to keep? These are the questions I find myself asking. Takes breath, okay moving on to better things like food! It is no lie that I love Indian food and so I just had to add one more before this year ends. This Veggie Korma is packed with lots of delicious flavor and spiciness. Navratan korma is a vegetarian korma made with vegetables and either paneer (an Indian cheese) or nuts – or sometimes both."Navratan" means nine gems, and it is common for the recipe to include nine different vegetables. If you like it hotter, add the spices, if you like it mild reduce the spices, however you choose to go this is a great meal to share with family as you decide on the holiday plans for Christmas. Don't forget my one year anniversary giveaway is still ongoing, let Christmas come early for you! Cheers to this holiday season!

INGREDIENTS

1 cup potatoes
4 cups vegetables (peas, green bell pepper, broccoli, zuchinni and carrots)
1 cup peanuts
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon garam Marsala
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon salt
1 tomato
2 tablespoons garlic
2 tablespoon ginger
1 onion
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

METHOD

Cook potatoes for 5 minutes. Chop carrots and blanch with peas. Set aside

Heat oil in pan add cumin seeds and until they turn brown. Add onions and cook until softened

Add garlic, tomato,and all the spices. Fry for a minute then add peanuts, cook a few minutes

Allow to cool then add to blender with 1/2 cup yogurt and blend until smooth

Pour blended mixture back to pan, add the carrot peas mixture, potatoes, broccoli, zucchini and green bell pepper. If mixture too thick add some water

Add coconut cream, let simmer few seconds then take from heat

Serve with rice, chapati or roti

NAVRATAN KORMA (VEGETABLE KORMA)

Recipe by Mulunga Alukwe

Prep time: 15 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 35 Minutes
Yield: 2 Servings
Ingredients

• 1 Cup Potatoes
• 4 Cups (peas, green bell pepper, broccoli, zuchinni and carrots)
• 1 Cup Peanuts
• 1/4 Teaspoon Cardamon
• 1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric
• 1/2 Teaspoon Garam Marsala
• 1/4 Teaspoon Paprika
• 1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 1 Teaspoon Coriander
• 1/2 Teaspoon Cumin
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Tomato
• 2 Tablespoon Garlic
• 2 Tablespoon Ginger
• 2 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil

Cooking Directions

1. Cook potatoes for 5 minutes. Chop carrots and blanch with peas. Set aside
2. Heat oil in pan add cumin seeds and until they turn brown. Add onions and cook until softened
3. Add garlic, tomato,and all the spices. Fry for a minute then add peanuts, cook a few minutes
4. Allow to cool then add to blender with 1/2 cup yogurt and blend until smooth
5. Pour blended mixture back to pan, add the carrot peas mixture, potatoes, broccoli, zucchini and green bell pepper. If mixture too thick add some water
6. Add coconut cream, let simmer few seconds then take from heat
7. Serve with rice, chapati or roti 

Navratan Korma (Vegetable Korma)

Navratan Korma is a creamy, mildly spiced Indian curry made with nine (nav) gems (ratna) — a mix of vegetables, fruits, and nuts in a luxurious, lightly sweet sauce. It's a regal dish perfect for special occasions or a rich, comforting meal.

FAQs – Navratan Korma (Vegetable Korma)

Q: What are the “nine gems” in Navratan Korma?
A: Traditionally, the nine ingredients include a mix of vegetables (like peas, carrots, beans, potatoes), paneer, dried fruits (like raisins), nuts (cashews or almonds), and sometimes fruits like pineapple or apple. However, it can vary depending on region and preference.

Q: Is Navratan Korma spicy?
A: No, it's typically a mild curry with a slightly sweet undertone. The richness comes from the cream, nuts, and fruits rather than heat.

Q: Can I make it vegan?
A: Yes! Simply replace paneer with tofu and use coconut cream or cashew cream instead of dairy cream.

Q: What goes well with Navratan Korma?
A: Serve it with naan, paratha, basmati rice, or jeera rice. Its creamy texture pairs well with soft breads or fluffy rice.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes, Navratan Korma tastes even better the next day as the flavors develop more. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Printable Nutrition Card (Per 1 cup serving – estimated)

Nutrient	Amount	Notes
Calories	~280 kcal	Includes cream, nuts, paneer, and vegetables
Total Fat	~16 g	From cream, oil, and cashews
Saturated Fat	~6 g	Mostly from dairy or coconut cream
Sodium	~350 mg	Varies by salt and stock used
Carbohydrates	~24 g	Includes veggies and fruits
Fiber	~5 g	From vegetables and nuts
Sugar	~6 g	From fruits like pineapple or apple
Protein	~8 g	From paneer, nuts, and vegetables

Nutrition will vary based on ingredients like cream, tofu/paneer, and fruit content.

Dietary Information

Diet Type	Suitable?	Notes
Vegetarian	✅ Yes	Contains no meat or eggs
Vegan	⚠️ With swaps	Replace paneer with tofu and dairy cream with coconut/cashew
Gluten-Free	✅ Yes	Naturally gluten-free if no thickener contains gluten
Dairy-Free	❌ No	Use dairy-free cream alternatives to make it dairy-free
Nut-Free	⚠️ No	Contains cashews or almonds — can be omitted or swapped
Low-Carb / Keto	❌ No	Contains starchy vegetables and fruits
Paleo	⚠️ With mods	Omit paneer and cream; use only paleo-compliant veggies/fats
Whole30	❌ No	Includes dairy and possibly legumes or sugar from fruits

Please note that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used. For precise nutritional information, consider using a nutrition calculator with exact ingredient measurements.

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