Soya Chunks Curry

Enjoy soya chunks curry with chapati and rice !!!

This is one of the best protein alternative for vegetarians. It is also called "vegetable chicken".  It has both protein and omega-3 replacing chicken and sea foods. To be frank, soya chunks curry is an acquired taste for me. My husband likes it a lot. For me I can eat it only when cooked with vegetable biriyani. But this time with minor changes to the cooking process, the gravy was tastier and we liked it.

Preparation time: 10 min

Cooking time: 20 min

Serving size: 6

Ingredients

Ingredients

• Soya chunks - 2 cups(soaked)
• Onion - 1 medium size
Tomatoes - 3 medium size
• Ginger - 2 inch piece
• Garlic - 5 cloves
• Nuts - 2 fistful (cashews, almonds, pistas, etc. any one nut is also fine)
• Poppy seeds - 1 tablespoon (soak in hot water)
• Chilli powder - 1/2 tsp (add more if you want the curry to be spicy)
• Coriander/Dhania powder - 1 tsp
• Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
• Turmeric - 1/4 tsp
• Coriander leaves for garnish
• Salt to taste 



Soaked Soya chunks



Grind nuts and tomatoes together

• Oil - 5 tsp

Note: Poppy seeds is optional but along with the nuts it gives a nice creamy taste in a natural and healthy way rather than adding cream sauces available in stores.

Preparation

• Either roast the nuts or soak it in hot water and set aside.
• Bring 5 cups of water and 1/2 cup of milk to boil (milk is needed for fresh soya smell)
• Add the soya chunks and soak it for 5 -10 min.
• Soak the poppy seeds in hot water.
• Meanwhile chop the onions finely and set aside.
• Grind the nuts and poppy seeds(don't add water). Cut the tomatoes into 4 pieces, add it along with the ground nuts and grind to a fine paste.



Gravy preparation

• Now drain the water from the soya chunks and allow to cool.

Cooking

Add soya chunks to the gravy

• Turn on the stove to medium heat and add oil to a skillet.
• Saute the finely chopped onions.
• Mince/grate the ginger and garlic, add to onions and saute everything until the raw smell of the ginger and garlic in gone.
• Add the masalas(turmeric, cumin, chilli and thania powders) and saute for 10 seconds.
• Pour the ground tomato paste to the masala and let it boil until the raw smell of the tomato is gone or you see the oil separate out taking care of not to burn the gravy.
• Squeeze the remaining water from the soya chunks that's been cooling.
• Add the soya chunks to the gravy and mix well. Add 2 cups of water and allow it to boil on low heat so the soya chunks can soak in the gravy. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
• Yummy soya chunks curry is ready to be served with rice or chapati.

Soya chunk ready to be served

Nutritional facts

Soya chunks are rich in fiber, protein, vitamin B and omega-3 fatty acids. The protein helps in rejuvenating the cells in the body thereby improving the immune system. The fiber content helps in good digestion. The calcium and iron in the soya chunks are good for the strong teeth and bones in kids. The omega-3 fatty acids are good for heart's health. The nuts used for the gravy is also good for the increasing the good cholesterol in the body. Poppy seeds are good for oral health. Onion and tomato give immunity to the body. For benefits of spices used refer Essential Spices for Healthy Cooking and for the benefits of coriander refer Herbs for Cooking and their Health Benefits.

Serve with chapati

With people moving to vegetarian and vegan cooking, soya chunks proves to be the best protein and omega-3 alternative. Try this tasty recipe for  lunch or dinner menu and enjoy all its taste and benefits. Please provide your valuable comments below.

You may also be interested in these recipes:

Masala Whole Wheat-Soy Roti

Poondu Kozhambu Or Garlic Curry

Chana Dal Curry Or Vada Curry