Description
This Mushroom Bhaji is a flavorful vegetarian dish featuring a mix of exotic mushrooms roasted with aromatic spices and garlic for a rich, caramelized base. Cooked with cumin, cardamom, turmeric, and Kashmiri chili powder, it’s perfect served with rice or naan for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 large garlic bulb
- 2 black cardamom pods
- 5 tbsp olive oil
- 400g exotic mushroom mix, larger mushrooms torn
- 1 small onion, roughly chopped
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp finely grated or chopped ginger
- 1 green chilli, sliced (optional)
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1–2 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 30g coriander, roughly chopped
- Cooked rice or naan, to serve
Instructions
- Roast Garlic: Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/gas mark 4. Slice the garlic bulb in half horizontally through its center. Place on a sheet of foil, put one black cardamom pod on top of each garlic half, and drizzle with 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Wrap tightly in foil and bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes until the garlic is soft, jammy, and starting to caramelize. Alternatively, roast in an air fryer for 20-25 minutes.
- Cook Mushrooms: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the torn mushrooms and fry for 3-4 minutes until they are slightly browned. Remove the mushrooms from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Onions and Spices: In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon more olive oil along with the roughly chopped onion and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat until the onion is soft and beginning to brown slightly. Add the roasted cardamom pods removed from the garlic, cumin seeds, and stir well. Then add the chopped ginger and sliced green chili (if using), cooking for 30 seconds to release their flavors.
- Add Roasted Garlic and Tomato Base: Squeeze the softened roasted garlic cloves from the bulb into the pan and smash them slightly with the back of a spoon to release the flavor. Stir in the tomato purée, turmeric, ground coriander, Kashmiri chili powder, and salt to taste. Cook this mixture over medium heat for a few minutes, adding a splash of water if needed to prevent sticking.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the lemon juice, roughly chopped coriander, and the cooked mushrooms. Mix everything together well and serve immediately alongside cooked rice or naan bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Black cardamom pods add a smoky depth, but if unavailable, a small piece of cinnamon stick can be substituted.
- Adjust the amount of Kashmiri chili powder to suit your preferred spice level.
- Roasting garlic softens its pungency and enhances sweetness, an important step for balancing the bhaji’s flavors.
- Serve with naan or rice to soak up the rich sauce.
- For a vegan option, ensure your accompaniments are dairy-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: Mushroom bhaji, Indian vegetarian recipe, roasted garlic mushroom, mushroom curry, easy Indian side dish
