We’re lucky to have fresh organic cauliflower growing at home. So, come winter, when it’s cauliflower season and we need to choose a gobi recipe, this delicious Gobi Masala recipe is usually one of the first we make. There are a multitude of north Indian cauliflower recipes in our repertoire, but this spiced restaurant style cauliflower masala calls out to us. It pairs perfectly with hot bajre ki roti (pearl millet rotis) or chapati smeared with ghee, along with dal tadka and rice for a complete winter meal. This cauliflower sabji is a standout dish and works well through the winter.
We make our gobi masala recipe two ways – a tasty shallow-fried version as seen in the video and an equally delicious healthy baked version; so, make your pick and get cooking!
To make our gobi masala recipe dhaba style, you will need fresh cauliflower of course, along with whole spices - cinnamon, cumin seeds, and bay leaves. The spice powders required are turmeric, coriander, red chilli, and garam masala. Besides these ingredients, this gobi gravy recipe also calls for onion paste, garlic and ginger pastes, fresh tomato puree, and salt for seasoning. The cooking medium is oil, and the final dish is garnished with fresh coriander leaves. Since our gobi masala recipe uses no dairy products it is suitable for those who are lactose-intolerant. The is a vegan recipe!
Fun Fact: Many cauliflower recipes do not use the tender green stalks of the cauliflower. In that case, the tender stalks can be stir-fried in mustard oil, mustard seeds, and basic spices for a delicious dish – and help make your kitchen a zero-waste one.
Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable which can be made into many interesting recipes. While cauliflower rice and cauliflower pizza bases may be ruling the health fads at the moment, you could try our delicious Apple Cauliflower and Peanut Salad or make our Yummefy-ed Easy Tandoori Gobi. We also enjoy gobi parathas, gobi Manchurian, gobi pakodas, gobi kurma, gobi shalgam ka achar, and even add it to mixed vegetables all winter long.
Trivia: Did you know that though we get white cauliflower heads in India, the vegetable is also grown in green, purple and orange colours across the world?
The first step in making cauliflower sabji for chapathi is cleaning it. Those newly introduced to this delicious vegetable may wonder 'Do you have to wash cauliflower?' Yes. Like all vegetables cauliflower needs to be washed too. Cook’s Tip: We suggest soaking the cauliflower florets in a saltwater bath for 30 minutes. This will salt the cauliflower as well as get rid of any unwanted creatures hidden in the florets.
If you're health conscious and are wondering "What is the healthiest way to eat cauliflower”, note that our recipe lists both shallow frying and baking methods to make gobi masala. If you opt for the baking method, the quantity of oil used in the recipe is reduced substantially.
While making the masala once the onions have been sauteed and ginger-garlic pastes added, it is necessary to stir the masala often till it turns deep brown. If you do not pay attention, the masala could catch in the bottom of the pan and burn in a matter of seconds.
After adding baked or shallow-fried cauliflower florets to the masala, coat them well by gently turning them in the masala. Once hot water has been added, cook the dish covered on medium heat so that the cauliflower absorbs all the spices and flavours of the masala for a delicious outcome. Remember to turn the cauliflower occasionally so that every part of the large florets cooks evenly and are nicely napped with the masala. The ‘gravy’ is thick and can be spooned over the final cooked cauliflower. Watch our step by step pictures and detailed video instructions to make the perfect north Indian style gobi masala recipe.
This gobi gravy recipe is restaurant-style and is quite a showstopper at lunches or dinners when you’re entertaining. It pairs well with naans, tandoori rotis, parathas, bajra rotis, home-made tawa rotis, or even simple chapatis. Alternatively, you can serve it with jeera pulao or a simple masala rice. Fresh coriander makes for an eye-pleasing garnish for gobi masala. If you wish, you can add some ginger juliennes as a final touch too.
To make a variation of this gobi recipe, try adding sweet winter peas. Or, if you like potatoes, then cauliflower, peas, and potato make a good trio using the same recipe. You would need to fry or bake the potatoes just like the cauliflower. Tender and sweet winter peas do not need any additional cooking as they will turn soft while the cauliflower and potatoes are cooking after you add water.
Try our North Indian Style Gobi Masala recipe with step by step pictures and video Instructions. Find all you need to know about how to make yummy Cauliflower Masala at home with all the Ingredients and cooking methods right here.
If you enjoyed this delicious recipe, you may also want to try our:
Gulab Jamun
Potato Mappas
10 minute Biryani Masala Powder
Queen of Puddings
Avial
Coconut Ladoo
Kaju Katli
Dahi Batata Puri
Sukha Kala Chana Masala
Malpua
If it is just veggies you want, you can see all our Vegetarian Recipes right here!
Or read more in our article on Traditional Indian Cooking Techniques if you have an interest in learning about Indian cuisine.