Skip to main content

Cauliflower Cachumbar

his is a salad from India’s western state of Gujarat. Two tablespoons of crushed roasted peanuts could be added to it just before serving and stirred in. It may be served with most Indian meals and lasts several days in the refrigerator if kept covered.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

3 cups (9 ounces) chopped cauliflower (chop it so no piece is larger than 1/3-inch by 1/4-inch)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon finely chopped hot green chili, such as bird’s-eye, green cayenne, or jalapeño
3–4 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons wine vinegar (red or white)
1 tablespoon olive or canola oil
1/2 teaspoon whole brown or yellow mustard seeds

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Put the cauliflower in a bowl. Add the salt and rub it in, mixing well. Let macerate for 1–3 hours.

    Step 2

    If any liquid has accumulated, drain it. Add the cayenne, chilies, cilantro, sugar, lemon juice, and vinegar. Mix.

    Step 3

    Put the oil in a small pan and set over medium-high heat. When hot, put in the mustard seeds. As soon as the seeds begin to pop, a matter of seconds, pour the contents of the pan over the cauliflower. Stir to mix.

Image may contain: Human, Person, Madhur Jaffrey, and Plant
Excerpted from At Home with Madhur Jaffrey: Simple, Delectable Dishes from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka by Madhur Jaffrey. Copyright © 2010 by Random House. Excerpted by permission of Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Random House LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher. Buy the full book from Amazon.
Read More
Like no-brainer corn salad and Spanish frittata.
The secret to juicy grilled chicken, a sheet-cake swap for banana pudding, and more reasons to light up the grill and have people over all summer long.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Like swordfish steaks with tomatoes and Peruvian-style tofu.
Our go-to banana bread recipe is moist, nutty, and incredibly easy to make.
Lime juice, fish sauce, peanuts, and plenty of herbs.
Use the beer, not the can, for this citrusy take on a classic that nods to mojo criollo.