Cauliflower and Spinach Simmered in a Coconut Milk Sauce with Black Pepper

This creamy curried vegetable dish just might be a new favorite. It's one of those dishes that tastes so divine that when sitting down to enjoy it, one would think it was complicated — but it's not! In fact, this dish of tender cauliflower and fresh spinach simmered in a fragrant coconut milk curry sauce comes together in hardly any time at all, and it's on the mild side in terms of spicing. It smells and tastes just quite as wonderful as it looks served up on the dinner table.

Take care not to overcook the cauliflower because that little bit of crunch adds a beautiful texture combined with the coconut milk and creamy spinach. Serve as a side along with rice, a legume dish and your favorite Indian flat bread for perfect meal that requires little fuss. You may also want to serve it over rice noodles.

Cauliflower and Spinach Simmered in a Coconut Milk Sauce with Black Pepper

Recipe by Lisa Turner Cuisine: Indian Published on August 4, 2015 Tender cauliflower and fresh spinach simmered in a creamy, fragrant and lightly spiced coconut milk and tomato sauce Preparation: 20 minutes Cooking time: 25 to 30 minutes Print this recipe Ingredients: 2 tablespoons sesame oil 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 2 cups cauliflower (1 lb or 450 g), cut into 1-inch florets 1 clove garlic 1 to 2 green chilies, seeded and finely chopped 1 3/4 cups (14 oz or 400 mL) coconut milk 1 large tomato, diced generous handful of dried curry leaves 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 to 2 teaspoons sea salt, to taste 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black peppercorns 1 lb (450 g) fresh spinach, trimmed and roughly chopped Instructions: Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. When hot, toss in the mustard seeds and cumin seeds and stir for 30 seconds or until the mustard seeds turn grey and begin to splutter and pop. Stir in the cauliflower and sauté until it begins to lightly brown on the edges, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and chilies and fry for another minute. Now pour in the coconut milk and let it simmer for a few minutes. Add the tomato, curry leaves, turmeric, salt and black pepper, reduce the heat to medium, and cover. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken and the cauliflower is fork-tender. Add the spinach a few handfuls at a time, stirring, until the spinach is wilted. Simmer for another 5 to 7 minutes. Serve hot over fresh cooked white rice or rice noodles. Makes 4 to 6 servings

Other cauliflower recipes to explore from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:
Mixed Vegetable Coconut Curry
Chickpea Mixed Vegetable Poriyal
Rice and Cauliflower Pilaf (Gobi Pulau)
Thai Red Curry Vegetable Soup