Navratan Korma recipe is a mildly spiced, slightly sweet, creamy based delicious Indian Mughlai curry.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 10 minutes
  • Total time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

For Onion Cashew Paste:

  • 2 medium onion ((about 1.5 cups))
  • 10-12 cashew nuts
  • 3 garlic (cloves)
  • 1 inch ginger

Vegetables for Navratan Korma:

  • 1 cup carrots (cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
  • 1 cup cauliflower (large florets)
  • 1/2 cup green beans (cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
  • 1 cup potato (cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
  • 1/2 cup green peas

Navratan Korma Gravy:

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon cumin (jeera) seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
  • 1.5 cups water
  • salt (to taste)

Other Ingredients:

  • 1 cup paneer (cubes)
  • 1/4 cup cashew nuts
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup pineapple chunks (optional)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream (or cashew cream or coconut cream)
  • 1 tablespoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) ((optional))

Method

Instant Pot Method:

  1. Firstly, add all ingredients mentioned in the "FOR ONION CASHEW PASTE" section to a blender. Blend to a smooth paste without adding any water. Set aside.
  2. Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil, and once it's hot, add cashews, raisins, and pineapple chunks. Saute for 2 minutes. Once the cashews are golden brown, take the cashews, raisins, and pineapple out and set them aside.
  3. Adding pineapple is optional, so if you don't like the sweetness in the dish, skip it.
  4. Then, add the bay leaf, cumin seeds and let the cumin crackle.
  5. Next, add the onion cashew paste and saute for 3-4 minutes or until the onion mixture turns light brown.
  6. Then add the mixed vegetables.
  7. Add the red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, water and combine well.
  8. Furthermore, close the lid on the pot, set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure), and the timer to 2 minutes.
  9. Once the pot beeps, Do a QUICK RELEASE (QR).
  10. Then add the fried cashews, raisins, pineapple, cream, kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves), garam masala, and stir well.
  11. Lastly, adjust consistency at this stage. For example, if curry is thick, add more water, milk, or cream.
  12. Instant Pot Navratan Korma or Vegetable Korma is ready, serve with hot with pooris, chapatis, roti & parathas.

Stovetop Pot Method:

  1. Follow the same instructions as the Instant pot. Cook covered on medium-high flame for 8-10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir 2-3 times in between to avoid burning. Note: When you are sauting onion-cashew paste, cook until the raw smell disappears and the oil oozes out.
  2. Finally add the fried cashews, raisins, pineapple, cream, kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves), garam masala, and stir well.

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.