Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Vegetable Vindaloo

We used to watch 'Outsourced' on the TV. We could relate to it better than a lot of American folks since we are from India and living in America has exposed us to both the cultures and environments. On one episode, employees fool Todd (the American in-charge of the call center in Mumbai office) saying it is a vacation day called 'Vindaloo day'. He believes it and says everyone can go home. I cracked up laughing so much watching that.
Vegetable Vindaloo

My husband who knew that 'Vindaloo' is a spicy curry asked me more details. To be honest, I had no idea. Then I totally forgot all about it till I saw 'Indian Food Made Easy' on the TV. In that, the host Anjum Anand was teaching a friend how to make 'Pork Vindaloo'. I adapted that recipe but used vegetables of my choice.
A little about Vindaloo - It is a portuguese inspired Goan dish. It uses Vinegar (vin part of the name) and 'aloo' is mistaken for potato. But, it is not. It sounds similar for the name 'Garlic' in portuguese. Portuguese used wine to preserve their pork on sea and in hot weather of India. When short of wine, they subbed it with vinegar. Since vinegar is cheaper than wine, they started using vinegar. That is the history of 'Vindaloo'. Most of the recipes you see have different spices in varied amounts. I do not know how authentic Anjum Anand's recipe is, but I followed it pretty much.
Vegetable Vindaloo

One year back - Cake Decorating Basics Part V
Ingredients:
Eggplants - 2 medium cut into big chunks
Potatoes - 2 cut into big chunks (I used red potatoes)
Green Bell pepper - 2 chopped into big chunks
Red Onions - 1 large or 2 medium chopped fine
Oil - 3 - 4 TBSP
Salt - to taste

To powder:
Coriander - 1 tsp
Cumin - 1 tsp
Cloves - 5
Black pepper - 10
Red chilli powder - 1 tsp or to taste (If you can get kashmiri red chilli powder, use that along with the regular chilli powder to get that beautiful color. I didn't have it)
Cinnamon - one 2" stick
Cardamom - 2 pods seeds only

To make a paste:
Powder from above
Garlic - 5 pods
Ginger - 1" piece peeled
Red wine vinegar - 1/4 cup (Or white wine vinegar)
Vegetable Vindaloo

Method:
Place eggplant and potato pieces (or the vegetables you are using) in a large bowl. Prepare the powder in a spice blender. Place the garlic, ginger, vinegar, spice powder in a blender or food processor and make a paste. Pour this on to the vegetable pieces in the bowl. Set aside. Heat oil in a pan. When hot, add onions. Sprinkle some salt and let it cook. When they are half done, add bell pepper. Continue to cook for couple more minutes. Add the vegetables in the bowl with the vindaloo spice paste and stir. You can add about 1/2 cup of water at this point but not more than that. Stir well and cover with the lid and let it cook. Give it an occasional stir and add water if it has become dry. It takes about 30 minutes for it to cook and the flavors to blend well. Check for the salt and adjust if needed. Serve with rice.
You could garnish with some fried nuts if desired. You can use any vegetable of your choice, but meatier veggies like potato, pumpkin, certain kinds of squash, yams, plantains, sweet potatoes make a good vegetable vindaloo.

Enjoy. Pin It

21 comments:

  1. this is too good and yummy dish...I love the vindaloo day episode!
    Smitha
    http://smithasspicyflavors.blogspot.com/

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  2. Vindaloo Indeed is spicy food itz Goa Tradition food they say...I tried` wid chicken abd was super hit..Thanks for sharing the Veggy version

    thesaji.blogpsot.com

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  3. Hi Champa
    Should def try vegetable vindaloo.. and thanks for letting us know the history behind the name"Vindaloo"
    Lovely clicks...
    Happy Blogging
    Rujuta
    http://theworldaccordingtorujuta.blogspot.com/

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  4. vinegar is something I can't tolerate..same goes with soy sauce (though my husband and kids love soy sauce)..I wish there were any substitutes for these two!!

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  5. Harini,
    In this particular dish, you cannot even smell or taste vinegar. Because it gets cooked down so much. As far as the substitute is concerned, lime juice is pretty good substitute for vinegar. Soy sauce? I am not sure if there is any substitute for that.

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  6. Nice twist with veggie, Had tried with non veg & your sounds interesting...gonna to try it..

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  7. cool pics and nice story for this recipe.lovely curry

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  8. Never thought of making vindaloo with veggies, thanks for sharing the story behind the word 'vinadloo'..

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  9. Awesome click...luv the vindaloo with all veggies

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  10. gotta try this one.. great going champa! Theres always something new and different to try whenever i end up on your blog!

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  11. I have heard of this type, but never had it. The spice powder and paste sounds too delish.

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  12. Love it... Making me go slurp... yum... hmmm...

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  13. Interesting story & yummy curry !!!

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  14. hello hello girl, how have you been? Curry looks delicious, I am longing for something like this for a couple of days now..

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  15. lovely dish and intresting story.thanks for sharing
    www.ramyasvantalu.blogspt.com

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  16. never tried veg vindaloo...looks gr8 with tempting clicks....

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  17. Absolutely amaIg pictures. It's been a while I made vindaloo, will try your version soon. I love any dish with eggplant.

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  18. looks delicious....should give it a try ...

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  19. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. http://www.facebook.com/wholefoodplantbaseddiets

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  20. hi...
    I tried it,bt d veggies dint cook properly...may b bcoz of the vinegar...
    god knows hw it come out wen finished cooking..

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    Replies
    1. Vinegar might slow down the cooking process but doesn't make it not cook. It will eventually become soft once you cover with a lid and cook.

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