Creamy Vegetable Curry with Ginger and Cashews

The cashews make this vegetable curry incredibly creamy — and the fresh ginger, chili peppers, and curry give it an Asian flair.

Cashews: There is hardly another food that contains a higher proportion of the essential amino acid tryptophan than cashews. Tryptophan is an essential nutrient in the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Cashews are also a good source of minerals such as magnesium and iron. However, cashews cannot be eaten raw because they contain the toxic oil cardol. When sold commerically, they have either been steamed or roasted and are therefore not truly raw. If “Raw cashews” is on the label, this usually just means that the toxic cardol they contain has been deactivated by steaming instead of roasting. It is only when the process is explained in detail and controlled that we can be sure the cashews are raw.

Peas: Green peas are crisp and can be used in a wide variety of dishes. They can be eaten raw and are a good source of protein and carbohydrates.

Ginger: Ginger is aromatic and has a characteristic strong, spicy taste, which is mainly a result of gingerol. Gingerol is known to have anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. The substances borneol and cineol are responsible for ginger’s ability to promote digestion, relieve nausea and vomiting, and stimulate the appetite and circulation. In cooking, ginger root is used fresh, dried, and ground. When ginger root is harvested early, it is called green or young ginger. This type of ginger is milder and less woody than more mature ginger root.

Curry: Curry is understood to mean various spicy, stew-like dishes, but also curry powder, which is used here as an ingredient. Curry powder is a spice mix made up of about 13 different spices, whereby these mixes can vary widely. However, some ingredients are always included. Spices such as such as turmeric, which gives the spice its characteristic yellow color, and also coriander, cumin, black pepper, and fenugreek seeds are responsible for its typical flavor and are therefore found in most every mixture.

Cilantro (fresh coriander): There is a wide range of opinions regarding the flavor of cilantro. Some people react to its intensive, slightly soapy aroma with symptoms ranging from aversion to nausea. According to Swiss statistics, 15 % of the allergic population reacts to cilantro. If you prefer, it is fine to simply omit this ingredient. You should realize, however, that it is the cilantro that gives this dish its exotic taste. There is no alternative that has a similar flavor. Flat-leaf parsley may look like cilantro, but it has a completely different flavor.

Fewer tears: There are a few tricks to reduce or prevent tearing completely when you are cutting onions. First, using a sharp knife reduces the number of cell structures that are damaged, which causes somewhat less of the irritating compound syn-Propanethial S-oxid to be released. Second, “cooling” the onions in the refrigerator (about 15 minutes is enough) helps to reduce the amount of acidic enyzmes that are released into the air. Other methods include turning on the overhead vent for ventilation, chewing bread, or having a swallow of water in your mouth while you are slicing onions. The latter doesn’t work for everyone, but the main idea is to breathe through your mouth instead of your nose. Simply try out a few different methods to figure out which one works best for you.

Serving: It works well to serve this curry on a bed of basmati rice, as suggested in the recipe, or with 30-Minute Rice Dosas.

Vegetable variations: Feel free to leave out a vegetable or two or to use a few other vegetables instead. The author suggests trying out the recipe with broccoli, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes.

Protein and spiciness: … to boost the protein, try adding tofu. This is a lightly spiced and generally mild dish, so if you are a fan of spicy food, use a hot curry powder to heat things up.