Mixed Sabzi - Mixed Vegetables Masala

While growing up in Pakistan, mixed vegetables masala was always a winter delight. Peas and carrots were winter vegetables and hence their availability back then was seasonal, unlike today when almost everything is available year round in Pakistan and elsewhere. 

This vegetable stir fry with a tomato gravy is a simple, pleasurable and back to basics home cooking enjoyed in Pakistan in short chilly winter days with sunny afternoons.  Hope it cheers up your dinner table where ever you cook it.

Ingredients:

Oil – 4 Tbsp

Potatoes – 2 Cups (Diced)

Carrots – 1 Cup (Diced)

Peas – 1 Cup (Frozen or fresh)

Tomato Puree – 1 cup (Freshly made- with a green chili)

Ginger/Garlic Paste – 1 Tbsp

Mustard Seed (Rai)– 1 Tsp

Cumin Seed (Zeera) – 1 tsp

Fenugreek Seeds (Methi Dana) – 1 tsp

Chili Powder – 1 Tsp

Turmeric powder – ½ tsp

Cumin Powder – 1 tsp

Salt – 1 tsp (adjust to taste)

Green Chili – 1-2 chopped

Water – 1 – 2 cups

Curry Leaves – Few

Dried Kasuri Methi – 1 Tbsp

Fresh Coriander – Handful (chopped)

Butter – 1-2 knobs

Method:

1. Heat oil in the pan and add ginger/garlic paste,whole cumin, mustard seeds and Fenugreek Seeds.
2. Once the ginger/Garlic changes color slightly add tomato puree.
3. Cook till oil separates. Now add chili powder, salt, turmeric and cumin powder. Cook for 30 secs.
4. Add diced potatoes and carrots. Cook for 2 mins on high heat. Add about a cup of water and curry leaves.
5. Let it boil on high heat and then immediately lower the heat to a medium simmer. Cover the pan and cook till potatoes and carrots are almost done. Add peas (The peas I use are cooked in 5 mins hence I add them in the last).
6. Add around ½ cup of more water. Let it gently simmer till everything is cooked through and there is a bit of liquid and oil at the base of the pan.
7. Add kasuri Methi and cook on slowest heat for 3-4 minutes with lid on the pan. Mix it and switch off the stove. Add fresh coriander, chopped green chili and knobs of butter and serve hot with a chappati and mint chutney.