Vegan Masala recommends
Pressure cooker or Instant Pot
Useful for getting chickpeas, beans and lentils tender without a long stovetop simmer.
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Vegan Masala Recipe
Soy curls soak up a creamy fenugreek-and-onion sauce in this Instant Pot methi curry. Kasuri methi gives the gravy its unmistakable savoury perfume and a lovely restaurant-style finish.
Recipe by Craig LogueHow our recipes are created
From the kitchen
Dried fenugreek is powerful, so rub it between your palms and add it with intention. Its bittersweet aroma should linger around the creamy sauce without overwhelming the warm spices underneath.
Serving idea
Serve with steamed basmati rice, rotis or a simple cucumber salad.
Useful equipment
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Vegan Masala recommends
Useful for getting chickpeas, beans and lentils tender without a long stovetop simmer.
Paid affiliate link · No extra cost to you
Vegan Masala recommends
Freshly ground whole spices give masalas a brighter aroma than long-opened ground spices.
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Cook the recipe
Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat 2 tbsp oil.
Add 2 bay leaves, 2 green cardamom pods, 4 cloves and 1 small cinnamon stick. Let them sizzle for a few seconds until fragrant.
Add 1 large onion, finely chopped, and cook until soft and lightly golden at the edges.
Stir in 4 cloves garlic, minced, 1 inch ginger, grated, and 1 green chilli, finely chopped. Cook for 30 to 45 seconds.
Add 1 medium tomato, chopped, and cook until it breaks down and the masala looks pulpy.
Blend 1 cup water with the onion-tomato mixture in the pot, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp ground cumin and 1 tsp salt until smooth.
Stir in 1 cup dry soy curls, 3 tbsp unsweetened plant yoghurt and 1 tsp sugar, if using. Mix so the soy curls are coated in the masala.
Seal the pot and pressure cook for 15 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally.
Open the lid and stir in 1 cup plant milk. Simmer on sauté mode until the curry looks creamy and slightly thickened.
Add 2 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves and 1 tsp garam masala. Stir through and finish with 2 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped.
Taste and adjust salt before serving.
Gather everything first
A few useful notes

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