If you like Kashmiri food, you will love our soya chaap curry recipe, a delectable vegetarian preparation in a rogan josh style curry. This soya chaap recipe uses a vegetarian or vegan high-protein alternative for meat called soya chaap, a type of mock meat. So, for those who practice meatless days, or vegetarians looking to put something unique on the dining table other than paneer preparations, our easy soya chaap recipe is the perfect option. Soya chaap masala is a flavourful, spicy, and delicious vegetarian version of rogan josh that is wonderful for celebratory meals.
Soya Chaap Curry Rogan Josh style served
After having experimented with many recipes and possible combinations, we think this is best soya chaap recipe available...and it is easy. The ingredients required for this soya chaap curry include whole spices such as cinnamon sticks, lightly crushed black and green cardamom pods, cloves, and bay leaves. For making the curry you will also need finely chopped onions and lightly beaten yogurt. Dry spice powders such as mild Kashmiri red chilli powder, dried ginger powder, garam masala powder, and fennel powder (saunf) are used along with salt for seasoning.
Soya Chaap pieces being fried till golden brown
The texture of soya chaap is often compared to meat, such as chicken or mutton, and has a lovely chewy bite which is cherished by vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. It a superb vehicle for the essence of whatever curry you place it in as it absorbs the flavours and presents them to the “eater” with each bite. Our soya chaap masala is robust and aromatic with its Kashmiri flavours augmented by whole spices and spice powders.
Soya chaap is immensely popular in Northern India as a street food snack with various street side shops selling delicacies such as tandoori soya chaap, malai soya chaap, haryali chaap etc.
Cooking the masala for the soya chaap curry
To make a delicious soya chaap curry, you first need to start with good soya chaap. You can either buy it from the market or, if you feel like it, make it at home from scratch following our easy soya chaap recipe. Next, do not skip frying the soya chaap pieces till golden brown as this step enhances the texture and does away with any raw dough smell. It is important to keep the heat low (or even turn it off) when adding the yogurt – and stir vigorously and continuously – this will keep the yogurt from curdling and splitting. After adding the yogurt, you need to cook till oil leaves the masala. This is an indicator the masala and the yogurt have cooked through. Garam masala powder is added to the soya chaap curry at the end for a nice aroma.
Fried soya chaap being added to the cooked masala
If you plan to make this dish in advance, you need to know that soya chaap tends to absorb liquid and causes the curry to thicken. To adjust the curry to a consistency of your liking, simply add hot water as needed, though half cup should be ideal for the quantity prepared with our easy soya chaap recipe below. For detailed instructions watch our easy-to-follow recipe video which demonstrates the making of soya chaap curry step by step.
We are asked various questions about soya chaap and those are answered below as a one-stop guide if you are looking for answers too.
Adding garam masala to soya chaap curry
Our easy soya chaap recipe is made using homemade soya chaap sticks with a recipe tried, tested, and loved in the Yummefy kitchen. They can't get any fresher than these and you will love the amount of control you have over the hygiene of the final product. These can be made at home from the scratch as is demonstrated by our detailed recipe and frozen for later use. Alternatively, you may buy them from neighbourhood dairy shops which stock them. Soya chaap is available in both fresh and dried versions. If you are using the dried soya chaap, do boil them for 30 minutes to reconstitute.
Soya chaap is a pure vegetarian product.
Add water if soya chaap curry is too thick
Soya chaap is a high-protein food but due to the presence of ingredients such as all-purpose flour (maida) it is high on carbohydrates too. It should be eaten in moderation. People with gluten allergies should, however, avoid consumption of soya chaap. Soyabean based foods are high in calories and can help in gaining weight. Weight watchers should eat these in moderation. This high protein soya chaap curry recipe is great for those who have given up meat for religious or humanitarian reasons.
Soya is also known as soy and the words are used interchangeably depending on which part of the world you are in. Soya is a food protein which comes from the soya bean.
A spoonful of delicious soya chaap curry
You can thaw our homemade frozen chaap sticks by place them in the kitchen at room temperature till thawed. Thereafter, proceed to use them as the recipe suggests.
Soya chaap curry is best enjoyed with piping steamed rice. Or enjoy it with hot breads like tawa roti, naan, parantha et al. You could also serve it with zeera rice or masala rice. Accompany the soya chaap masala with other Kashmiri dishes such as haak ka saag, lal paneer,
Jackfruit Curry | Kathal ki Sabzi and finish off the meal with delicious kahwa.
Soya chaap curry served and ready to eat with rice or chapatis
Soya Chaap Curry recipe step by step with pictures and videos. The easiest way to make soya chaap gravy at home with all the ingredients and cooking method for the best Soya Chaap Curry.
If you liked this recipe, you may also want to try our other Vegetarian Recipes right here!