Gobi Musallam Recipe
Gobi Musallam is a flavorful Indian dish featuring a whole cauliflower marinated in a rich blend of spices, yogurt, and cashew paste, then baked to perfection and served with a savory tomato-based gravy. This aromatic vegetarian entree is perfect for festive meals or special occasions.
- Author: Lily
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Vegetarian
For the Cauliflower and Parboiling:
- 1 medium head cauliflower
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- Salt to taste
For the Cashew Nut Paste:
For the Yogurt Mixture/Marinade:
- ½ cup yogurt
- 2 tablespoons pureed tomatoes or tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Cooking the Gravy:
- 2 teaspoons oil
- 1 cup vegetable broth or stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Coriander (cilantro leaves) for garnish
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with baking paper to prepare for baking the cauliflower.
- Prepare Cauliflower: Trim off the green leaves from the cauliflower and cut the base of the stalk so it can sit flat. Make a cross incision at the base to help cooking.
- Parboil Cauliflower: In a large pot, bring water to a boil over medium-high heat. Season with salt, add cinnamon stick, cloves, and ground turmeric. Place the cauliflower in the boiling water and boil for 4 minutes, then flip and boil for another 4 minutes. Remove and pat dry with paper towels.
- Make Cashew Paste: Soak cashew nuts in hot water for about 10 minutes to soften, then grind them into a smooth paste.
- Prepare Yogurt Marinade: In a bowl, combine yogurt, cashew nut paste, pureed tomatoes, minced garlic, minced ginger, garam masala, ground cumin, ground coriander, red chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to form the marinade.
- Marinate Cauliflower: Reserve 2 tablespoons of the yogurt mixture for later use. Coat the parboiled cauliflower with the remaining marinade thoroughly, making sure it is evenly covered.
- Bake Cauliflower: Place the coated cauliflower on the prepared baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until cooked through and slightly browned.
- Prepare Gravy: Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the reserved reserved 2 tablespoons of yogurt marinade and sauté while stirring for about 2 minutes to release the aromas.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Stir in the vegetable broth or stock, season with salt and pepper, and let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to develop the gravy.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the gravy with fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves, then serve the baked cauliflower hot with the flavorful gravy poured over or alongside.
Notes
- Ensure the cauliflower is parboiled just enough to soften but not fully cooked to retain texture.
- Use fresh yogurt for the best results; Greek yogurt adds creaminess but can be thinned if too thick.
- Adjust the chili powder according to your heat preference.
- Cashew paste provides richness and smoothness to the marinade; you can substitute with almond paste if desired.
- This dish can be served with naan, roti, or steamed rice for a complete meal.
Keywords: Gobi Musallam, cauliflower recipe, Indian vegetarian dish, baked cauliflower, cashew yogurt marinade, Indian main course