
Amrud ki Subzi
A quick, tangy, and spiced fruit curry of fresh guava simmered in an aromatic sauce seasoned with cumin and lime.
Tempering spices
2.1 gFried in the hot oil (step 1)Ground spice paste
10 gStir-fried after tempering (step 2)Everything else
Method
- Warm 27 g vegetable oil in a medium pan over medium heat, tip in the tempering spices, and fry for about 1 minute until crackling.
- Lower the heat to low, stir in the ground spice paste, and fry gently for approximately 5 minutes.
- Stir in granulated sugar to taste alongside 30.6 g lime juice, then simmer for 1 minute.
- Tumble in 500 g guava (de-seeded and cut into bite-sized pieces) and cook for roughly 5 minutes until thoroughly coated in the spiced gravy, then season with salt to taste.
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Ground coriander

Coriander seedsDry-roast lightly in a pan and grind to a fine powder; use equal weight (1:1). Offers a noticeably fresher, brighter citrus note.
Ground cuminUse 50% to 75% of the weight. Lacks the floral, citrusy profile of coriander and turns the gravy heavier, earthier, and darker.
Garam masalaUse 50% of the weight and stir in near the end of cooking. Adds warmth and depth since it contains ground coriander, but introduces stronger spices like clove and cinnamon.

Chilli powder

Red chilli powderUse 100% of the weight. Provides direct, sharp heat and red colour in equal measure.
Kashmiri chilli powderUse 150% to 200% of the weight if matching colour, but add a pinch of black pepper or hot chilli if you need equivalent fiery heat.
Cayenne pepperUse 75% to 100% of the weight. Offers a sharp, clean heat with slightly less earthy depth and less crimson colour.

Ground turmeric

Ground gingerUse 50% of the weight. Mimics turmeric's warm, earthy, rhizome background, but provides none of the golden-yellow colour.
SaffronSteep a tiny pinch (0.1 g per 2 g turmeric) in 2 tbsp warm water; use to match the rich golden hue. Contributes an aristocratic, honeyed floral flavour rather than earthy bitterness.

Vegetable oil

Peanut oilUse 1:1 by weight. Handles high-heat frying identically and introduces a very subtle, pleasant nuttiness.
GheeUse 1:1 by weight. Yields a much richer, authentic aroma and a glossy, heavier mouthfeel.
Mustard oilUse 1:1 by weight. Heat until smoking, then cool slightly before cooking to temper its intensely pungent, sharp mustard kick.

Cumin seed

Ground cuminUse 70% of the weight; add with ground spices or sauce bases rather than hot oil tempering, where it scorches quickly and turns bitter.
Black cumin seedsUse equal weight for oil tempering. Delivers an earthy profile with an additional musky, smoky, and slightly bitter edge.
Fennel seedUse 60% of the weight for tempering; offers comparable warm aroma, but leans sweet and liquorice-like rather than savoury and earthy.

Garlic paste

GarlicUse equal weight; crush or finely grate to a smooth pulp to replicate the same fresh, pungent moisture in your base gravy.
Garlic powderUse 20 to 25% of the weight; mix with a teaspoon of water before adding to oil so it does not burn, noting it lacks the fresh bite.

Granulated sugar

JaggeryUse equal weight; grate or shave finely so it dissolves rapidly, giving a warm, caramel-like sweetness and slightly darker sauce.

Lime juice

Lemon juiceUse equal volume or weight; slightly sweeter and less pungent, but otherwise an imperceptible swap.
Dried mango powderUse 25% of the weight; imparts dry, fruity sourness, best stirred in right at the end of cooking.
Tamarind extractUse 50% of the weight; delivers pleasant fruity tang but turns pale sauces considerably darker.

Guava

PearUse the same weight; peel and core. Firmer and milder, so cook a few minutes longer and add lime juice for tartness.
Green appleUse the same weight; peel and core. More tart and holds shape; add a little sugar if needed.
AppleUse the same weight; peel and core. Sweeter and softer, so reduce cooking time slightly.
Similar dishes

- Same: Tikha Maslyatil Tali Macchi shares vegetable oil, lime juice as the souring agent, garlic paste, turmeric, chilli powder, and coriander with this dish.
- Different: Instead of simmering fruit in a sweetened gravy with cumin seeds, it marinates fish in ginger paste, ground cumin, and fresh green chillies before frying.

- Same: Kumhare ki Subzi also balances sweet and sour flavors using cumin seeds, chilli powder, turmeric, ground coriander, and sugar.
- Different: Instead of simmering guava in a saucy garlic and lime base, Kumhare ki Subzi is a dry mashed pumpkin preparation seasoned with fenugreek seeds, fresh green chillies, and amchoor.

- Same: Both curries use vegetable oil and share a spice base of cumin seeds, garlic, turmeric, ground coriander, and chilli powder.
- Different: Kande ki Subzi braises spice-stuffed whole onions in a tomato sauce with ginger, green chillies, and amchoor, whereas this dish simmers fresh guava with lime juice and sugar.

- Same: Khatte Meethe Baigan uses vegetable oil and shares cumin seed, ground coriander, chilli powder, turmeric, and garlic paste with this dish.
- Different: Instead of quick-simmered guava, it braises whole mint-stuffed aubergine in an onion gravy seasoned with tamarind extract, jaggery, ginger paste, and garam masala.






















