Cauliflower Masala (Instant Pot & Stove top)

If you a fan of Cauliflower and Indian curry, you are in for a treat today because I am sharing one of the easiest and tastiest Cauliflower recipes you can prepare. I say it is easy because I am preparing it with the Instant Pot and like always it has made cooking all the more fun.

I love preparing this because it pairs well with rice as well as Nan or Indian rotis.

In this family-friendly Indian dish, Cauliflower florets are sautéed with spices and simmered with chickpeas in an aromatic tomato-onion base. With the ingredients handy, you would be able to complete this dish in 30 minutes or less! That’s about the time you need to prepare the rice…

The taste and spiciness of this dish will vary a bit depending on how big or small the chilis are. Generally speaking, smaller chilis tend to be spicier than the larger ones…If you are looking for a mild or medium dish, go easy on the chilis.

Cauliflower masala a.k.a “Gobi” Masala in India, is quite common in restaurants but I have several variations from the original recipe including the way it is prepared with Instant Pot. Unlike other gobi masala recipes, you don’t need lots of spices to prepare this version. Most Gobi Masala recipes use cream or dairy to thicken the base and I have used cashew nuts. You could also choose to add coconut cream, but it tends to bring in flavors that you do not generally expect in Cauliflower curry. Last but not least, I added chickpeas to add some “protein” balance to the dish.

How to serve cauliflower masala

Cauliflower masala is best served with Chapati, Naan, Rice dishes or even plain steamed rice. My favorite way to enjoy Cauliflower curry is with Chapati or Roti. I also like to pair it with Biryani or Vegetable fried rice…It is an amazing and tasteful experience!

How this curry is unique from other gobi masalas

• First and foremost, this is prepared with the Instant Pot.
• I used far less oil to prepare this than any standard Gobi Masala recipe or even the ones you see in a restaurant.
• This recipe is Vegan and Gluten-free. You could also make it nut-free if you chose to use coconut cream instead of cashews.
• Spices are quite different from other gobi masala recipe

Try these variations to spice up your dinner and let me know how it turns out. I hope your experience will be as special as mine!

PS: If you are using coconut cream instead of cashews, use just the top layer of chilled coconut milk. That way, you are using only the fat or cream of the coconut milk.

As I said, this is one of the easiest Indian cauliflower curry recipes you will find.

If you are interested in trying other Cauliflower recipes I have shared in the past, check out my recipes for Cauliflower stir fry, Cauliflower paratha, Cauliflower buffalo wings.

Here are the recipe details….

Print Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Cauliflower Masala - Instant Pot & Stove Top

Cauliflower masala is best served with Chapati, Naan, Rice dishes or even plain steamed rice.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time4 mins

Total Time14 mins

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: cauliflower masala, Gobi masala, Instant pot recipes

Servings: 5 people

Calories: 112kcal

Author: Uma Srinivas

Ingredients

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 1 canned chickpea
• 1 large onion
• 2 medium tomatoes
• ½ inch ginger
• 4 green chilies
• 2 tbsp cashews or ¼ cup coconut cream (1 oz)
• ½ inch cinnamon
• 4 cloves
• 2 tsp fennel seed - saunf
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste

Instructions

Instant Pot Directions:

• Add 2 tsp oil to inner pot and press saute mode. As the oil heats up, add ½ inch cinnamon, 4 cloves, 2 tsp fennel seeds. Saute for 20 sec.
• Add ginger, and green chilies. Saute for another 20 sec.
  
• Add chopped onions, and fry until they turn translucent and then add tomatoes and continue to saute until the tomatoes soften.
  
• Add chili powder and turmeric and cook for 30 sec. Turn off the instant pot and add cashews. Stir well.
  
• Blend this mixture to a fine consistency (with a hand blender or regular blender). This will form the base of the dish.
• Again press saute mode and saute the cauliflower florets for 30 sec and add the blended mixture to it.
  
• Add the chickpeas, salt and a little bit of water (¼ - ½ cup)and stir well.
• Close the lid of the instant pot and turn the steam release handle to sealing position. Tap “manual mode” and set time for 1 minute.
• When the time is up, open the lid using “quick release”.
• Now, garnish with cilantro and serve hot paired with a cup of steamed rice or bread.

Stovetop direction

• Soak the cauliflower florets in warm water for 10 minutes and keep them aside.
• In a small pan, saute cloves and fennel seed (saunf) in 2 tsp of oil until the fennel seeds turn golden brown.
• Now, add minced ginger and green chili. Sauté for another 30-45 seconds.
• Follow up with chopped onions. When onions turn transparent, add chopped tomatoes.
• Add cashews and continue to cook. In about a minute, take it off the heat. Add ½ cup water and blend into a smooth paste.
• Place a medium size pan over medium heat and fry the cauliflower florets with 2 tsp oil.
• When the florets turn golden, add turmeric powder and chili powder.
• Add the blended masala paste to the florets and continue to cook over medium heat. Add salt to taste.
• In about 2 minutes, add the canned chickpeas. Add water, if required and continue to cook for 3 - 4 min.
• Garnish with cilantro (coriander leaves).

Notes

If you are using coconut cream instead of cashews, use just the top layer of chilled coconut milk. That way, you are using only the fat or cream of the coconut milk.

Stovetop cooking time is different from the Instant Pot. It may take 30 - 35 minutes

Soak the cauliflower florets in warm water for 10 minutes before using in any recipe, because it helps to clean the florets. Follow this step for both instant pot and stove top procedure

Nutrition

Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 130mg | Potassium: 11mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3.2% | Vitamin C: 5.2% | Iron: 0.8%

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