Anchal’s mum’s simple South-Indian Gobi
“What on earth is a gobi”, might be your very first question. And a fair one at that. Gobi in Hindi is a cauliflower! Usually it’s called by its full name, phool-gobi, which roughly translates to the gobi with flowers. In comparison, the Hindi word for cabbage is patta-gobi, which roughly translates to the gobi with leaves. I think that’s enough of an etymology lesson for today!
Cauliflower is a great addition to any diet and is part of the daily dishes cooked in most Indian households. It is such an excellent alternative to potatoes and things that are super high carb. It also is a good source for some essential vitamins and minerals.
I was looking for a new and quick way to eat this vegetable and that’s how I got introduced to this super easy, yet tasty way of cooking it. Full recipe credits to my friend Anchal’s mum who used to make this in their household regularly.
A full head of cauliflower
Methi (fenugreek) seeds - 1 tbsp
Brown Mustard seeds - 1 tbsp
Red chilli poweder - 1 tsp (optional)
Desi ghee (saturated butter) or use oil - 3-4 tbsps
Start off by washing and drying the cauliflower head and then cutting it into super small pieces.
Next take a wok, head it over medium high heat and add your ghee and/or oil. Once hot, add in the dried chilli, curry leaves, mustard and methi seeds.
3. Wait for them to sizzle. The aroma at this point is one of my favorite things in the world.
4. Next add in all of your chopped cauliflower and mix.
5. Add in the tumeric, red chilli powder, salt and pepper. Mix well.
6. Turn the heat to medium, cover and let the cauliflower cook through thoroughly. Keep mixing and moving the mixture from time to time.
7. Once you feel the cauliflower is cooked, you can remove the lid and turn the heat up to high to get some color on it.
And that’s it! You’re done!