Dhania Fake Chicken (Tempeh in Cilantro Tomato Curry). An easy, healthy and delicious curry packed full of flavor. Vegan and Gluten Free Recipe.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 80 minutes
  • Total time: 90 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Indian, Vegan

Ingredients

Marinade:

  • 1 inch cubes of tempeh 8-10
  • 1 teaspoon garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon ginger paste
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder

Curry:

  • 3 cups cilantro leaves and small stems
  • 2 medium tomatoes
  • 1 Serrano pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 inch ginger
  • 1/2 medium onion chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 clove laung
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried fenugreek (methi leaves (optional, I love the slight bitterneess from the fenugreek leaves))
  • 1/2 tsp chili flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste

Method

Marinade:

  1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Add in the tempeh and mix well to coat all properly. Let sit for half an hour

Curry:

  1. In a blender, blend tomatoes, serrano pepper, cilantro, garlic and ginger with a little water and keep aside.
  2. In a large pan, add a teaspoon oil and chopped onion, bay leaf and clove and cook at medium heat until onions are golden brown.
  3. Remove onions, and add the marinated tempeh pieces to the pan with a little oil.
  4. Cook the tempeh for 4-5 minutes until the outside of the pieces start getting golden.
  5. Add in the cilantro tomato puree and the golden onion back into the pan.
  6. Keep cooking on medium low heat, partially covered for 20-30 minutes till the puree thickens.
  7. Add in some water, salt, dried fenugreek leaves and chili flakes and mix well.
  8. Cook for another 10 minutes.
  9. Taste and adjust for salt and spice.
  10. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro leaves.
  11. Serve hot with Indian Bread, Naan, Roti or Basmati Rice !

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.