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.