Have you seen the movie Ratatouille? There is a flashback scene, where in the food critic Anton Ego is taken back to his childhood days when he eats Ratatouille.

Similar to that, every time I see a dry cauliflower curry, it takes me back to the day we saw Dil Chahta Hai.

Flash back details:

• Year:  2001
• Status: Unmarried, living with room mates and working in IT field

Three of us were supposed to go. Me and another sleeping beauty, slept through the entire morning and left all the work to Miss M. The movie was at around 1 or 1.30 PM – So, Poor Miss M, ended up cooking our brunch, waking us up, making sure that we had food and generally seeing to it that we reach the theater well fed (we would be cranky otherwise), and on time. Our jaws dropped open when we saw that she had booked a call taxi (point to point taxi, which was a whole new thing then). Tickets were sold out by the time we reached the place and we had to buy it in black for Rs. 150/- ( three times the ticket price). When we got in, the movie had started and the first thing we saw was Akshay Khanna’s close up shot and the exclamation was “150 muthalayi” (Well worth the 150 Rupees)!!!!

Now, back to the cauliflower curry. This was what Miss M had cooked for our brunch. My version is not half as good as hers, but still I keep trying.

Ingredients:

Cauliflower – 1 medium, cut into small florets

Onion – 1, chopped fine

Tomato – 1 or 2, chopped fine

Chilli powder – 1 tsp

Coriander powder – 1 tsp

Turmeric Powder – 1/4 tsp

Garam Masala – 1/2 tsp

Mustard Seeds – 1 tsp

Urad dal – 1 tsp

Curry leaves, a few

Oil – 1 -2 tsp

Salt, to taste

Method :

1. Heat oil in a pan and when its hot, add the mustard. When it splutters, add the urad dal and curry leaves.
2. Add the chopped onions and fry till it turns transparent.
3. Add the chopped tomato and fry till it turns soft.
4. Add all the powders (chilli, coriander, turmeric, garam masala). Add salt and fry for a minute or two.
5. Add the cauliflower florets and mix nicely.
6. Fry for 4-5 minutes, stirring now and then.
7. Add about 1/4 cup water, cover the pan and cook on a low flame till cauliflower is done, about 4-5 minutes.
8. Switch off once the cauliflower is cooked and serve with rice and sambar.

Easier Version:

1. Cover and cook the cauliflower florets in Microwave for about 6-8 minutes. It should be cooked, but shouldn’t be mushy.
2. Heat oil add the spices and salt.
3. Add the (almost) cooked cauliflower and mix nicely.
4. Cook for 3-4 minutes, till the flavors blend in and the cauliflower is completely cooked.
5. Serve with rice and sambar.