Blissful Broccoli Indian "Korma" Stew
Blissful Broccoli Indian "Korma" Stew
Tender broccoli cozied up in a rich, buttery coconut milk sauce, mingling with mild aromatic spices—that’s our Broccoli Korma. The fragrant aromas of this Indian curry call everyone to the kitchen. It’s the kind of dish that invites you to slow down and appreciate the little things, like the crunch of perfectly cooked broccoli and the warmth of the spices. You’d think a dish this delightful would require a whole day’s worth of simmering, but it’s actually incredibly quick to make. Pair it with our Second to Naan Quick Bread so you can scoop and mop up every delectable drop!
Happy & Healthy Cooking,
Fun-Da-Mentals Kitchen Skills
- chop :
to cut something into small, rough pieces using a blade.
- measure :
to calculate the specific amount of an ingredient required using a measuring tool (like measuring cups or spoons).
- sauté :
to cook or brown food in a pan containing a small quantity of butter, oil, or other fat.
- simmer :
to cook a food gently, usually in a liquid, until softened.
- stir :
to mix together two or more ingredients with a spoon or spatula, usually in a circle pattern, or figure eight, or in whatever direction you like!
Equipment Checklist
- Medium saucepan
- Cutting board
- Kid-safe knife
- Can opener
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
Blissful Broccoli Indian "Korma" Stew
- 1 fresh broccoli head OR 2 C frozen broccoli, thawed
- 1 14-oz can coconut milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder OR 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 large Roma tomato **(for NIGHTSHADE ALLERGY sub 1 C frozen butternut squash or zucchini)**
- 2 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 T butter **(for DAIRY ALLERGY sub 1 T vegetable or other nut-free oil)**
- 1 pinch granulated sugar
Food Allergen Substitutions
Blissful Broccoli Indian "Korma" Stew
- Nightshade: For 1 large Roma tomato, substitute 1 C frozen butternut squash or zucchini.
- Dairy: Dairy: For 1 T butter, substitute 1 T vegetable or other nut-free oil
Instructions
Blissful Broccoli Indian "Korma" Stew
intro
Namaste (NAH-ma-stay)! (A greeting from India.) Today, we will be making Blissful Broccoli Indian "Korma" Stew. "Korma" refers to braising meats or vegetables in a mixture of cream and spices. This Sticky Fingers Cooking version will feature broccoli as the surprise ingredient and keep all the other ingredients close to the traditional recipe. Get ready for mouthwatering aromas to fill your kitchen (maybe even your entire home)! Enjoy!
chop + measure
Start by roughly chopping 1 broccoli head and 1 large Roma tomato. Don’t worry about the size of the broccoli or tomato. Just make sure to chop them into pieces that will fit onto a spoon or fork for eating. Place the chopped broccoli and tomato into a large bowl.
measure + stir
Then measure 1 can coconut milk, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 2 teaspoons curry powder, 1 pinch of sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and add that to the large bowl as well. Stir all the ingredients a few times to combine the spices.
pour + stir
Pour the mixture into a medium saucepan and turn the heat to medium. Bring the stew to a simmer and cook for at least 20 minutes. Turn the heat down to low in the last few minutes of cooking.
simmer + serve
While the stew simmers on low, measure 1 tablespoon of butter and add it to the stew. Slowly stir the butter into the stew. This will melt the butter and give the stew a lovely richness. Serve alongside Second to Naan Quick Bread and enjoy every delicious bite of this Blissful Broccoli Indian "Korma" Stew!
Hi! I'm Broccoli!
"Hello! Did you know that cabbage and cauliflower are my cousins? I resemble a small tree with a green trunk and branches topped with blueish-green flower buds—my crown!"
History & Etymology
- Broccoli first came from the eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor and spread to Italy in the 16th century.
- Broccoli was once known as Italian asparagus.
- Broccoli is a member of the Brassica oleracea family, an important group of vegetables that can help reduce cancer risk.
- China and India produce the most broccoli in the world. Over 90 percent of the broccoli crop in the United States is from California, where it is grown year-round.
- The word "broccoli" is Italian, the plural form of "broccolo," from "brocco," (a shoot, arm, or branch), from the Latin "broccus," (projecting).
Anatomy
- The main broccoli crown or head and the group of flower buds on the side shoots are harvested when the flower buds are closed and compact with no yellowing buds or flowers. Heads are removed with about 4 to 6 inches of stem attached. When the main head is cut, new shoots with smaller heads form, so a single plant will keep producing for many weeks.
- It is essential to cool down broccoli as soon as possible after harvest; otherwise, small yellow flower heads will develop rapidly, which are bitter. Often you may see boxes of broccoli arriving at the greengrocers covered in ice to prevent further maturing.
How to Pick, Buy & Eat
- To pick the best broccoli, select fresh, bright-green heads with compact clusters of tightly closed flowerets. Stalks and stem leaves should be tender yet firm. Avoid any with yellowing flowerets and thick, woody stems.
- Keep broccoli dry and store it in a vented plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Broccoli can be boiled, steamed, grilled, and roasted. It is added to green salads, either raw or cooked, and included in soups, stir-fries, fried rice, and pasta dishes. It is also a tasty and healthy vegetable to pair with every type of meat and fish.
Nutrition
- Don't underestimate the power of broccoli! It became famous when researchers found it contained a compound called sulforaphane, which can function as an anticancer agent.
- Just one serving has two days' supply of vitamin C (don't overcook, or you'll lose some). It is also a good source of dietary fiber and provides potassium, vitamin E, folate, and beta-carotene.
What is "Korma"?
- "Korma" is a type of curry where meat or vegetables are braised in yogurt, stock, or coconut milk, with added spices like chili and ginger. Its name comes from a Hindi-Urdu word that means "braise." There are several variations of korma. Some sauces are mild, and others are very spicy. Nuts, coconut, fruit, and rice are sometimes added.
- Korma is from India and the Indian subcontinent, including Bangladesh and Pakistan. It has roots in the cuisine of the 16th-century Mughal Empire, an Indo-Persian empire that expanded into South Asia.
Let's Learn About India!
- India is a country in South Asia and is officially called the Republic of India. It is the second-most populous country in the world and has the largest population of any democratic nation.
- Hindi and English are official languages, and there are 447 native languages spoken in India.
- India's government includes a president, prime minister, and parliament. Twenty-eight states and eight union territories make up India's federal union.
- India's currency is the Indian "rupee." It is illegal for foreigners to take rupees out of India.
- Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal's construction in 1632 for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
- The anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's birthday is celebrated on October 2. He is considered India's "Father of the Nation" and led the Indian people to independence from 89 years of British rule in 1947. Gandhi's peaceful protest movement inspired many people in other countries.
- India's national symbols are the lotus flower, the Bengal tiger, and the peacock.
- Some of the world's highest mountains are in India, including Kanchenjunga, the third tallest at 28,169 feet.
- The Bay of Bengal is a huge bay bordering the southeastern part of India and is home to the world's largest mangrove forest. Here, tigers swim in the same waters as dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and saltwater crocodiles.
- The snow leopard, the Indian rhinoceros, the Bengal tiger, and the Asian elephant are all animals of India. Globally, it is the only country that has both lions and tigers.
- The most popular sport in India is cricket!
- It is hot in India, so people there often wear loose clothes. Traditional clothing differs by area in India. Women may wear saris, long pieces of colorful cotton or silk draped over and around the body like a dress. Men may wear a dhoti, made of material wrapped around the hips and pulled through the legs, somewhat resembling loose pants, although they aren't seen in cities much anymore. Photos of Gandhi show him wearing dhotis.
- Seventy percent of the world's spices come from India.
- Staple foods in India include lentils, rice, bread, and spices. People living on the coast eat more fish and seafood. In other regions, they eat chicken, beef, and game meats. Many people throughout India are vegetarians. Common fruits and vegetables are mangoes, apples, oranges, pineapples, bananas, onions, okra, potatoes, spinach, and carrots.
- Curries are popular dishes in India and are made with a variety of vegetables, fish, meat, and fruits, and spices.
- When people greet each other in India, as a sign of respect, they bow, placing their hands together before their chest or face, and say "Namaste," which translates to "I bow to the divine in you."
What's It Like to Be a Kid in India?
- Indian parents are encouraged to start their kids in preschool at 2½ to 3 years old. School is usually taught in a particular state's language, which could be Hindi, English, or another language.
- Kids often have their grandparents living with them in the family household.
- Along with cricket, tennis, badminton, and chess, kids may play traditional Indian games like kabaddi or kho-kho, both played by teams, or kancha, a marble game played individually or with others.
- Kids enjoy the Holi festival, which is a religious celebration that also heralds the arrival of spring. Celebrated in various ways throughout the country, most versions include the joyous spraying and throwing of colorful powders by festival participants at one another.
THYME for a Laugh
What do you get when you cross broccoli with a vampire?
Count Broccula!
The Yolk's On You
What kind of music does broccoli like to listen to?
Broc and Roll.
THYME for a Laugh
What is the difference between broccoli and boogers?
Not every kid will eat broccoli.
That's Berry Funny
How do you turn a stew into gold?
Add 24 carrots!
