Aloo Gobhi Masala(Indian Spiced Cauliflower with Potato)

Aloo Gobhi Masala recipe, dried preparation of cauliflower and potatoes in Indian spices| Learn how to make Punjabi Aloo Gobhi Masala | Aloo Gobi ki Subzi

Spicy Potato and Cauliflower with lots of flavours, comforting side dish for meals.

It's Vegan and can be made Gluten-free friendly.

About the Recipe

Aloo Gobhi Masala is a simple and delicious Indian side dish made with Cauliflower and potatoes. I like to add peas to it, which are optional in the recipe.

Peas or no peas this vegetable tastes yummy. It is apart of regular weekday meals or festive meals. You can have it with only hot chapatis or parathas also for a filling and comforting meal.

When we add peas to it, it is called Aloo Gobhi Matar ki Subzi.

What is Aloo Gobhi

Aloo is potatoes, Matar is Peas and Gobhi is Cauliflower.

It is a very common vegetable preparation throughout India. Every region has it's own variation, spice combinations to cook this vegetable. I make it in North Indian style, with lots of ginger, garlic, onions and spices. Use of ginger and garlic adds a lot of flavour to this plain vegetable. Many people add tomatoes too and many skip garlic and onions to make to as no-onion no garlic aloo gobhi.

For me, my mom makes the best Aloo Gobhi. I too make it regularly for weekday meals but can't match the taste of her recipe.

In India Peas and Cauliflower are considered as Winter Vegetables so it was prepared during winters only. My mom and grandmom always stressed on seasonal eating to get the maximum benefits of fruits and vegetables. Times have now changed we get most of the vegetables throughout the year and so we can make it all throughout the year!!

How to choose, clean and cut Cauliflower

To make any Gobi or Cauliflower dish, always select fresh and cream colored cauliflower. Mom told me that cauliflower with fresh leaves on the side are the freshest ones. She always avoided buying the ones even with tiny brown spots.

To make Aloo Gobhi Masala, cauliflower should be cut into small florets. My mom and grandmom always used to tear way the florets with hands. Never got the reason behind it but they hardly used knife to cut the florets.

These days cauliflowers are susceptible to worms. Even after cleaning properly in running water the worms may be hidden inside the tiny florets. For that after cutting florets, soak in warm water with tsp of salt. This kills all the worms and also makes cauliflower florets little tender so that it is cooked quickly.

Dhaba Style Aloo Gobi

In North India especially in Punjab and Haryana, on roadside dhabas you can relish this fresh rustic vegetable with Makkai Ki Roti and Sarson ka Saag and fresh radish salad. Whenever visiting India or the Northern states do try the Dhaba food. The taste and the flavors of the dishes are so rustic and out of the world. No fine dine or restaurants can come close to the taste of food that is served there.

Dhaba style Aloo Gobhi is a bit more spicy and many dhabas add tomato puree while making this vegetables. Will a different post on Dhaba Style Aloo Gobhi.

Aloo Gobhi Masala is nut-free, vegan friendly and can be made gluten-free if we omit asafetida or use it's gluten-version.

Benefits of Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a rich source of antioxidants Vit C and K. It also has high amount of fiber and water is good for weight loss as it is low in carbohydrates. It strengthens the bones, good for detox due to presence of some sulfur compounds and add shine to skin and hair.

Cauliflower can be used in combination with other vegetables in curries like Mix Vegetable Curry, Pulao like Mixed Veg. Pulao(in the recipe I have not added cauliflower but you can add it). Stuffed cauliflower paratha(Gobhi Ka Paratha) is famous flatbread from Indian Subcontinent, where grated gobhi is stuffed in rolled whole wheat dough and served with curd, pickle and tea.

Cauliflower Recipes from the blog

We love this Vegan Cauliflower and Peas Keema with homemade Naan or ajwain paratha.

Gobhi ke Pakore, cauliflowers fritters in chickpea flour is my hubby's favourite.

You can also add grated cauliflower for making Veg. Manchurian or vegetable Koftas. You can also make restaurant style appetizers like Tandoori Gobhi Tikka, Air Fryer Cauliflower(Asian Style) Bites, Gobhi 65

Ingredients to make Aloo Gobi Masala

Cauliflower, Potatoes, Peas(optional), Ginger, Garlic, Green Chillies and Onions.

Spices- Coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, garam masala, hing asafetida(for gluten-free version, skip it or use gluten-free asafetida). Salt to taste and Oil to cook.

I love to add a tsp of dried fenugreek leaves(kasuri methi) as it adds on to the taste flavour of the dish. It is totally optional. Fresh Cilantro or Coriander leaves for garnish.

Note- While making for special occasion, you can add whole spices like cloves, black peppercorns and bay leaf. It really enhances the flavour and aroma of the dish.

Method to make Aloo Gobi

Preparation to make Subzi

• First step is to cut and clean cauliflower in small florets and clean thoroughly in running water. Next soak the florets in warm water with a tsp of salt for 10-15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, peel potatoes, soak frozen peas in water.
• Make coarse paste of ginger garlic and green chilli. Use chilli as per your heat tolerance. Finely chop onion.

How to cook

• In a kadhai or heavy bottomed pan, add oil, when oil is hot add cumin seeds and asafetida(optional). When seeds crackle, add ginger garlic green chilli paste and saute for 1-2 minutes.
• Add onion and saute till light pink then add and mix dry spice powders and mix well.
• Add peas, add 1/4 cup water and let the peas cook for a while. You can cover with lid.
• Drain water from cauliflower, add to the peas along with cubed potatoes. Mix well and add very little water less than 1/4 cup, cover the pan with lid and cook on low flame for till cauliflower starts to look soft and tender. Check for doneness of the vegetables with fork. It should roughly take 10-12 minutes.
• I do not overcook cauliflower, as I like slight crunch in it. If there is some water left in pan you can saute the vegetable on high flame for a minutes or so. Take care not to mash the cauliflower, as it will spoil the look and texture of the dish.
• Garnish with fresh finely chopped cilantro leaves and serve hot wit bread of your choice.

Pointers on how to make perfect Aloo Gobhi Masala

• If we over cook Cauliflower, it becomes soggy and loses the crunchiness. I personally do not like the looks and texture of it. So to avoid overcooking it.
• I always cook it in a thick bottomed pan.
• Do not add lot of water, small amount of water is required.
• Cut the potatoes almost the same size as florets for even cooking.
• Fry/Saute cauliflower in ginger garlic and onion masala for first 5 minutes then cover and cook it for next 5-8 minutes on low flame so that it doesn't get burned from bottom.

Serving Suggestions

Make it for a weekday meal or parties. You can make it a part of festive or thali menus. Everyone just loves Aloo Gobhi!!

Fresh hot chapatis or paratha with with a bowl of fresh curd/yogurt or any raita of choice makes a wholesome meal.

You can also pair it with any Dal/Lentils like, Dal Tadka, Dhuli Masoor Dal(Red Lentils) and make it a part of your festive meal and thali menus.

In Punjab it is served in Gurudwaras with Maa Chane Ki Dal or Dal Makhani .

Recipe Card

Do make this flavourful Aloo Gobhi Masala and let me know your feedback.

World Vegan Day

I am happy to link my post for World Vegan Day.

Thank you to Valentina from The Baking Fairy for hosting this one-day event!
Check out all the delicious recipes we made for the occasion:

Aloo Gobhi Masala (Indian Spiced Potatoes and Cauliflower) by Food Trails
Black Bean & Pineapple Tacos by Kate’s Recipe Box
Provençal Vegetable Tian by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Apples and Onions by A Day In The Life On The Farm
Roasted Root Vegetables by The Spiffy Cookie
Vegan Eggnog by The Urben Life
Vegan Pineapple Tofu Fried Rice by The Baking Fairy

Happy World Vegan Day Day!!

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