Name: Navratan Korma
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1 cup Mixed Vegetables, carrots, beans, cauliflower, peas, boiled; 50 g Paneer, cut into cubes; ⅛ cup Pineapple, cut into small chunks; ⅛ cup Grapes, green or black, seedless; 1 tbsp Raisins, kishmish; 7½ Cashews, soaked (for white paste); 5 Cashews, halved and fried (for garnish); 1 Onion, roughly chopped (for white paste); ½ tbsp Melon Seeds, magaz, soaked (for white paste); ½ tsp Ginger-Garlic Paste; ½ Green Chili Pepper, mild, for paste; ½ Assorted Whole Spices, green cardamoms, clove, cinnamon; ¼ tsp Ground White Pepper, preserves white color; ⅛ tsp Garam Masala; 1½ tbsp Fresh Cream; ¼ cup Milk, for thinning gravy; ½ tsp Sugar, to enhance sweetness; ½ tsp Salt, to taste; 1 tbsp Butter, for cooking the gravy

1 hr 10 mintotal

50 min hands-on20 min hands-off

Prep 20 min · Cook 30 min

Serves: 2
Difficulty: Hard
Spice: None

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Method

Boil the onions, soaked cashews, and melon seeds in water for 10 minutes. Allow to cool, strain, and blend with a green chilli into a silky, immaculate white paste.
10 min
Heat butter or ghee in a pan strictly on low heat. Add the whole spices and sauté for a few seconds.
Introduce ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute, strictly ensuring it does not brown and alter the color of the base.
1 min
Incorporate the prepared white cashew-onion paste. Cook on low-medium heat for 7-8 minutes, stirring constantly until the raw fragrance vanishes and butter begins to gleam at the edges.
7–8 min
Season with white pepper powder, garam masala, salt, and sugar. Mix well.
Gradually pour in the milk while stirring continuously to construct a smooth, rich gravy without splitting.
Fold in the pre-boiled mixed vegetables, paneer cubes, pineapple chunks, grapes, and raisins. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes.
3–4 min
Stir in the fresh cream. Do not boil vigorously after adding cream to prevent curdling.
Remove from heat. Garnish handsomely with the fried cashews and serve.

How to tell it's done

A lavish, mild, and creamy white emulsion enveloping an array of tender, colorful vegetables, soft paneer, and the surprising, juicy pop of sweet fruit.

Getting it right

Tip

The term 'Navratan' signifies 'Nine Gems'. This hallmark recipe traditionally combines 9 distinct ingredients (vegetables, fruits, nuts). The exclusive use of white pepper is critical to maintaining a pristine white sauce.

What to serve it with

A sweet, opulent dish that contrasts flawlessly with slightly spicy Garlic Naan or fragrant Kashmiri Pulao.

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Ingredients