Vegetable (Navratan) Korma

My mom has taught me so many amazing dishes and all the credit goes to her for this recipe! Navratan's literal meaning is 'nine gems' so it has a total of nine vegetables and beans! Yikes! I know that sounds like alot but trust me, the end product is soo yum. The great thing about this dish is that you can really use whatever vegetables/beans/lentils you have on hand, and it changes everytime I make it! Also, if you don't happen to have nine vegetables, don't even sweat it! Just use whatever and however many items you want. I believe recipes are always about preference so whether you want the dish more creamy or spicy, tweak away! Hope y'all enjoy it!

Ps. Thanks mom!

Ingredients                                                                                            Spices
4 new (baby) potatoes cubed into 1 inch pieces                        - 1 TBSP grated ginger
1 large carrot sliced into 1/2 inch disks                                       - 1.5 TSP tumeric
1/2 cup bell pepper- diced                                                               - 1.5 TSP salt
1/4 cup peas                                                                                      - 1 TSP garam masala
1/2 cup chick peas                                                                           - 1.5 TSP ground cumin
1 cup cauliflower florets                                                                 - 3 curry leaves
1 large tomato- diced
1/3 cup green beans
3 TBSP chopped cashews
2 Serrano peppers
1 cup tomato sauce
1/3 cup of yogurt OR half and half*
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup cilantro
2 TBSP vegetable oil

Directions
1) Steam potatoes, cauliflower, green beans and carrots until they are just about cooked NOT soft. (10-12 minutes). Set aside.
2) In a food processor grind serrano peppers, grated ginger and cilantro.
3) In a deep pan heat oil on medium heat and add steamed vegetables and cashews. Cook until potatoes start to golden (2-3 minutes). Add serrano pepper, ginger and cilantro mixture, stir additional two minutes.
4) Add the rest of the vegetables and add water, salt, turmeric,  curry leaves, garam masala and ground cumin. Mix, and let cook 2-3 minutes.
5) Add tomato sauce and yogurt OR half and half and stir. Taste for salt and spice (add if necessary)
6) Let simmer 5-7 minutes and serve hot. (Skewer vegetables to ensure they are properly cooked)

Serves 4-6

*The dairy you use is preferential. The yogurt gives the korma a tangy flavor and the half and half gives more of a creamy and slightly sweet flavor.

Serving suggestions
- You can eat this with your favorite flatbread, naan or even with some basmati rice!

Substitutes
- You can substitute any of the vegetables/beans/nuts with any vegetarian item you'd like: sweetcorn, broccoli, kidney beans, white beans, eggplant, zucchini even paneer!