Creamy and delicious Mughlai Gobi Musallam (Whole Cauliflower Curry) is a great centerpiece dish to make for festive or special meals. Make it using my easy traditional recipe.
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over medium heat.
Once it comes to a boil, add salt and a whole cauliflower head (head side up).
Cover the pot with a lid and cook for 8-10 minutes until the cauliflower is slightly tender.
Don’t overcook otherwise it will become mushy.
Drain the water and wipe the cauliflower using a kitchen towel.
Shallow Fry The Cauliflower
Heat butter and oil in a large pan over high heat.
Once they are hot, add the cauliflower, head side down, and fry on high heat until it turns golden brown in color (5-6 minutes).
Slightly turn the cauliflower on its sides while frying.
Drain on a plate and keep aside.
Make The Curry
To the same pan, add bay leaves, peppercorns, cardamoms, cumin seeds, and dry red chilies, and let them crackle for 4-5 seconds.
Add onions, ginger, garlic, and green chilies, and fry until the onions are nicely browned (8-10 minutes), stirring frequently.
Add tomatoes and cook for another 4-5 minutes.
Now add coriander powder, turmeric powder, chili powder, cumin powder, and salt, and cook until oil starts to separate from the sides of the pan (3-4 minutes), stirring continuously.
Add green bell pepper, yogurt, cashew nut paste, and 1 cup of water, and bring the curry to a boil.
Add cream, Kasuri methi, garam masala powder, and lime juice and mix well.
Check for salt and add more if required
Reduce the heat to low.
Transfer the fried cauliflower to the pan and coat it with the curry.
Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 12-15 minutes until the cauliflower is nicely cooked. Stir the gravy a few times while cooking.
The whole cauliflower is what makes it unique, but in case you do not like to put whole cauliflower, you can cut it into florets and add in the makhani sauce tooTo make cashew nut paste, soak the cashews in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes and then grind them into a smooth paste.You can adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the number of green chilies.