Indian Cauliflower Recipes - Vegetarian

(Updated Version)

Did you know there are so many recipes you can create with cauliflower? It used to be quite expensive, but over the years, it has become more affordable. Traditionally, cauliflower is stir-fried with spices in Indian recipes or added to curries—both of which are included in this sharing. But that's not all! I’ll also share other exciting dishes you can make with cauliflower.

Gobi Manchurian
Gobi Manchurian is a beloved Indo-Chinese dish (TOFU MANCHURIAN) made from crispy fried cauliflower florets tossed in a tangy, spicy sauce. Combining the flavors of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and chili, this dish offers a perfect balance of heat and savoriness. Gobi Manchurian is a crowd-pleaser that merges Indian and Chinese culinary traditions. Serve Gobi Manchurian immediately after cooking to prevent the sauce from soaking into the cauliflower florets, which would make them soggy and lose their crispiness.

Gobi Manchurian
Ingredients 
For the Batter-Fried Cauliflower
½ medium-sized cauliflower – cut into pieces & blanched in hot water.
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tbsp corn flour
1 tbsp rice flour
1 tsp plain chili powder
½ tsp ginger paste
½ tsp garlic paste
Salt to taste
Water as needed
Oil as needed

For the Sauce

1/2-inch sliced ginger – sliced thinly

4 shallots – sliced thinly

3 garlic - sliced thinly

1 tomato – sliced thinly

1 ½ tbsp sweet soy sauce

Salt to taste
Some spring onions for garnishing – sliced 

Method
Combine all ingredients (except cauliflower florets) to prepare the batter and set aside.
Add cauliflower florets to the batter mixture and stir.
Heat oil and fry florets in batches until crispy.
Remove and set aside.

Reduce oil to 3 tbsp.

Add ginger and shallots, and quickly stir-fry.
Add tomato, pour soy sauce, and season with salt.
Stir and add fried cauliflower.
Stir a couple of times, turn off the heat, and mix in spring onions.

Indian Crispy Battered Cauliflower 

Ingredients
¼ cauliflower – cut into florets (steam or simmer until half-cooked, cool, and pat dry)

For the Batter
2 tbsp corn flour
2 tbsp yogurt
A pinch of baking soda
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin seeds
½ tsp ginger paste
½ tsp garlic paste
3 sprigs curry leaves – sliced thinly/shredded
Salt to taste
Oil for frying

Method
Mix all batter ingredients (except oil), adding water bit by bit and whisking to obtain the batter.
Dip cauliflower in the batter, deep fry, and remove from oil.

Indian-Style Butter Stir-Fried Cauliflower
Ingredients (as needed)
Cauliflower – cut into florets and blanched in hot water
Butter
Dried chilies
Shallots – chopped
Mustard seeds
Curry leaves

Method
Heat butter, sauté dried chilies, shallots, mustard seeds, and curry leaves.
Add cauliflower and salt.
Stir-fry a couple of times and dish out.

Masala Stir-Fried Cauliflower and French Beans
Ingredients 
Cauliflower – cut into florets
French beans – sliced
½ tsp ginger paste
½ tsp garlic paste
Shallots – sliced thinly
Curry powder – as needed
Mustard seeds
Oil for stir-frying

Method
Heat oil, add ginger paste, garlic paste, shallots, curry powder, and mustard seeds, and stir quickly.
Add cauliflower and beans.
Season with salt and stir-fry until vegetables are tender.