Mushroom Kaju Masala
Prep Time: 20 mins I Soaking Time: 20-25 mins I Cooking Time: 40-50 mins I Serving: 2-3

Ingredients :-
For Cashew Nut Paste :-
¼ cup/40 g Cashew Nuts
Hot Water(enough for soaking)
¼ cup/60ml Water
For Masala Base :-
½ Kg/500g/1.1 lb. Mushrooms (washed, stems on but trimmed)
4 tbsp./60ml Veg Oil
2 Bay leaf
10-12 Garlic Cloves (minced)
4 Onion, medium-sized (finely chopped)
8-10 Cashew Nuts (broken)
3 Tomatoes, medium-sized (puréed)
1-2 Green Chilli (chopped)
1.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
½ tsp Cumin Powder
1 tsp Coriander Powder
¼ cup/60 ml Hot Water
1 tbsp. Tomato ketchup
1 tsp Garam Masala Powder
Salt to Taste
First of all gather all the required ingredients mentioned and let's start cooking :)
Method :-
For Cashew Nut Paste :-
In a bowl take cashew nuts. Add hot water to the bowl and soak the cashew nuts for 20-25 mins
Discard the hot water and add the soaked cashew nuts + fresh water to the blender and grind it to a smooth paste.
For Masala Base :-
Heat oil in a non-stick pan. Add bay leaf + minced garlic to the pan and stir for 3-4 mins on low-medium flame
Next add chopped onions to the pan and sauté for 3-4 mins on low-medium flame until translucent
Next add broken Cashews to the pan and keep stirring on low-medium flame until onion colour changes to light golden brown. This will take another 4-5 mins
To the pan add puréed tomatoes and sauté for 3-4 mins on low-medium flame
Add chopped green chillies + turmeric powder + red chilli powder + salt + cumin powder + coriander powder. Mix well and stir for 2-3 mins
Next add cashew nut paste to the pan. Mix well and cook until oil separates for the masala on low-medium flame
Add mushrooms to the pan and mix well with the masala
Add hot water to the pan. Mix well and bring it to a boil. Once it starts boiling, lower down the flame. Cover and let it simmer for 7-8 mins.
Add tomato ketchup to the pan and mix well
Add garam masala powder. Mix well and keep stirring for another 4-5 minutes on low medium flame
Once the masala thickens, turn off the flame.
Time to Taste :)
Serve hot with Tawa Paratha, Laccha Paratha, Garlic Naan, some kachumber salad and chilled pineapple raita
Note : pls adjust the spice levels to your taste.